Topic: Shop Manuals

[Michael72]

Is there a shop manual or assembly manual out there that has measurements between parts or the dimensions of parts themselves?  My 72 has some front end damage to go with the rust.  I can not measure, cut, and replace inner fender panels and leave the radiator support pushed in, unless I find another 72 to measure. (pushed in about .5 inch left, 1 inch right, between the radiator and shock tower)  Shocktower to firewall looks OK.  The amount of rust on this car is pushing me toward restomod instead of restore. Has anyone bought the 5 shop manual set on CD offered on the internet?  I am tring to gather information before I start.  Thanks Mike

[66GTKFB]

I don't know about the 72 Shop Manual, but both my 65 and 66 manuals have frame measurements which body shops use to straighten and align damaged cars. I needed to have one of my 66 front ends straightened, the radiator support and battery tray replaced and the frame shop was very detailed in their procedures. They pulled the frame back into position, replaced the parts that needed to be replaced and used the fenders to verify what they did on the rack. I would let a pro do it again - hint.
Jim

[Soaring]

Yeah, you don't need to be screwing around with trying to straighten your frame yourself.  Let the pros do it.  You will thank yourself every day for the life of your car and all the front end misalignment problems you will have if you do it yourself. 

[mustangluver]

unfortunatley after the few accidents mine has been in the trunk was never fixed fully and properly. my lid sits at a slight angle. so im gonna have a good professional see what specifically is throwing off it being straight. also is there a reason as to why my hood wouldnt fal flush with the rest of the body? ill take pics to show what i mean if need be

[Jeff73Mach1]

hoods don't always fit flush with fenders when the fenders are reproduction parts.  Even factory parts need alignment.  Lots of lazy folks bolt on fenders and wonder why their hoods don't fit.

Body shims will correct height alignment problems and come in 1/16th inch, 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch thicknesses.  They are available in the help section at all the major auto parts stores.

Loosen the entire top edge of the fender you are working on and slide the shims in place making sure they get right up against the bolt.  I like to avoid having more that a 1/16th differential from bolt to bolt, but sometimes you just have to do what it takes.

If the alignment gap is more than 1/8th inch buy 2 to 3 packs of shims.

[mustangluver]

wouldnt my engine have a play in it as well? and the body is original far as i know.

[Jeff73Mach1]

Your car is 43 years old, odds are it has had some work in the past.  Improperly aligned body panels are common and no your engine wouldn't necessarily have play as it is attached to the subframe and the chassis, not the fenders which are mostly just cosmetic

[mustangluver]

hmm...interesting. i guess it just something to have the body shop look at.