Inner fender issue on '54 GMC

[mach92bill]

Came up a little short where inner fender meets cab by about 5/8". Outer fender bolt holes line up as do the inner to outer fender bolt holes up top, anybody with ideas.

[dwcsr]

are the fenders original to the truck?

[mach92bill]

No, truck came with no front end, so not sure what my parts came from. I have made up a plate of 16 ga. to adapt, but curious as to why I have this situation...
Maybe '54 is different?

[dwcsr]

it is possible that a 54-55 is different. I know certain 47 and 48 inners on the left side are longer than 49-53. as long as all else is ok I'd do as you said make a spacer and bolt it up.

[chevyguyase]

As the proud owner of a '54 3100 Chevrolet, I have run into the fact that we '54 owners have to suffer with. A lot of '53 on down and late '55 & up parts don't fit our trucks. It's hard to believe GM made all of those changes for just one year. I think that's what you are dealing with.

[dwcsr]

54 was an odd year for Chevy trucks in general. I know that the oil pan and oiling system for the 6 cylinder was a mongrel and only for that one year.

[mr48chev]

There is a piece that goes on the 3000 series trucks that the big trucks don't have and that's the bracket on the bottom corner of the firewall that the emergence brake connects to and also serves as a attachment point for the inner fender. you can just see it in this shot of a 53 firewall

[wolffcub]

better picture

[dwcsr]

he's talking about the right side not the left, right side has no bracket on any version of the AD's

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by mach92bill

Came up a little short where inner fender meets cab by about 5/8". Outer fender bolt holes line up as do the inner to outer fender bolt holes up top, anybody with ideas.

From the look of the bolt hole at the fender you don't have that apron up enough. If it looks anything like that forward of that hole just lifting it up may close the gap. It looks like it's down a hell of a lot at that hole.

Brian

[Advanced Design]

Brian, should the fender be swung or moved up at the rear? That makes sense.

If that doesn't do it, could the radiator support be sitting farther forward on the right side than on the left? Don't think it would impact that much....just an idea.

[mr48chev]

Dang. I need new glasses. I could have sworn that was on the left side.

It looks like the inner fender isn't lining up with the holes in the fender either. I'd think you have more problems than just the inner fender not fitting up to the firewall.

[mr48chev]

Dang I must have been blind at 9 something this morning I could swear that was on the drivers side.

If you set the hood on it how do the hood and fenders fit up to the cab? If I remember right you are mixing and matching parts somewhat like I've done in the past and is the cab sitting with the right spacing between the cab floor and the frame? If the nose is low the fenders and inner fenders plus the hood aren't going to fit up right.

[wolffcub]

sorry my bad.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Brian, should the fender be swung or moved up at the rear? That makes sense.

If that doesn't do it, could the radiator support be sitting farther forward on the right side than on the left? Don't think it would impact that much....just an idea.

I don't have any idea if the fender is too low, but the inner fender is too low, that you can see. Unless the fender is mounted too high, that inner fender is too low, you can see that by the holes at the fender to inner fender.

If the bolts from fender to cowl are in, that is going to be as close as it needs to be to bolt it together. Once all the bolts are in you can adjust parts.

The rad support and the rods that go from it to the firewall are VERY important in the alignment of the front of these trucks. So the hood, fenders, everything needs to be on to make all those adjustments.

Brian

[mach92bill]

Thanks to all.

I set my hood in place, and it aligns so close to perfectly, I don't think I need more adjustment. Still have that 5/8" gap at the right inner fender. Looks like I'll have to manufacture a piece to go in there, or maybe some sort of spacer setup. The right side fits even better than the left.