Vintage Mustang repairs?

[mardyn]

I need some work done on my '69 GT350 Mustang...

I screwed up the alignment on the right front fender and door.... I think it might need the door latch replaced too.

I've become frustrated by the whole deal and parked the car and haven't driven it in two years because I'm pissed off (at myself) as it really wasn't that bad to begin with...

Who/Where is the go to shop these days for old Mustang repairs?

Bonus points for a shop located East of DFW.

mardyn

[BLAKE]

I don't have any recommendations for you, especially on that side of town, but I would look for a good paint & body shop that's used to working on classics. The classic Mustang shops I've dealt with in the past have been good for mechanical stuff and interior, but not necessarily expert in body panel alignment like a body shop would be.

[demonekz]

Collvin's Customs and Collision, 570 Texas 37, Mount Vernon, TX 75457

[bubbaearl]

tell me what you did and i'll tell you how to fix it .

[95DRGT]

Keith Hodges Collision in Tyler

[mardyn]

Thanks for the leads... I think Blake is Correct and a body shop is where it needs to go.

cliffs:
I adjusted the driver's door "slightly" to get the body line correct at the rear jamb, the door lines up perfectly, but now the latch seems to want to stick and no amount of adjusting the striker has made a difference.

Also, the front fender gap between the front of the door and rear of the fender has magically grown to about .500" and I don't understand why as I only moved the door very slightly...(Body line was off probably <.125" to begin with) As I said, I didn't move it much...and the fender can't go back any further to narrow the gap.

In general, I'm normally pretty good at this kinda' stuff, but this has kicked my a$$ and I need some different eyes and better attitude (more talent) to step in and fix my screw up.

I've let it sit under a cover in the other of my building for two years and it hasn't fixed itself yet... so I guess I've got to get back involved with it to make something happen.

Keep those ideas coming.

mardyn

[bubbaearl]

close the door with the button in . if the latch drags then the door is a little too far back. hitting the sticker. you may need to widen the gap at the quarter panel which will close the fender gap. when building i do all the adjusting with the striker off.
been doing this for 40 years and it still drives me to drink .

[Kart21]

What are the braces for that go to the shock tower? I have not seen them before. Are they "stock"? What motor is in it?
Just askin'

[mardyn]

The door could come forwards a little, but the gaps are pretty nice between the rear door/quarter panel as is... by bringing it forward that would help on the front edge and it make take just such an action to get it back to looking right... I might have to just average out the gaps and hope for the best.


I copied the shock tower braces from a Trans Am B2 I saw several years ago... I thought it was a good idea and looked cool too.

Engine is a '95 5.8L/351 from a Lightning Truck converted (from speed density) to MAF EFI.

mardyn

[bubbaearl]

the rule is align to what doesn't move . door to qrt ,hood to cowl then align to them. doors align best without the striker then install it. on most any car there is very little room between the striker and the latch . put a piece of tap on the striker to see where it is hitting.

[BLAKE]

Dang man, that thing is too bad ass to let it sit due to panel gap.

[Fastback]

Been researching classic mustang repair myself

I also have an old one and have trust issues....I saw this place Wilson...3133 Saturn Road Garland, Texas

http://www.wilsonauto.com/about-us/work/mustang/

[bubbaearl]

never take a classic to a body shop. never leave your classic with someone you do not know or have a trusted referral .

[Fastback]

Keep us posted on what you decide to do and how it works out if you can. Your car is a beauty and is one of my all-time favorites... I almost did the same as you, putting in a modern engine...but I went back with 351C so I could continue getting 8 mpg, lol. This is the 3rd engine and it only has 86,000 miles.

[mardyn]

I almost did the same as you, putting in a modern engine...but I went back with 351C so I could continue getting 8 mpg, lol. This

^^ Ha Ha , I hear you... the 351C in my '73 'vert sucked the gas too.



With the T5, my ('69) car will easily get 20 mpg and maybe more if it's driven easily.



Bought a new battery for it this weekend... I'm gonna' at least move it back on the "to do" list along with all my other crap I'm working on now.

mardyn