40 Deluxe front fender problem
 

I have a problem with the front fenders on my car. The bottom of the fender forward of the metal panel brace, wants to poke outwards about an inch when bolting up the running board. My panel man says the front clip is too low, this is causing the fenders to poke out. The inner fender skirts are almost touching the chassis at the sides and after looking at another 40 Ford, his fender skirts were the same. I tend to think the fenders need to be massaged inwards beyond the metal bracing at the bottom, what do you think?
Attached are before and after shots.
Attachment 268832

Attachment 268833

Re: 40 Deluxe front fender problem
 

If the hood lines up with the cowl and the fenders ok, I don't believe that your front clip is too low. In looking at the "after" photo, you have replaced the running boards. If these are new to the car (reproductions) perhaps they don't fit like they should.

Re: 40 Deluxe front fender problem
 

The running boards are original.
Mike Kubath, are you there!!!

Re: 40 Deluxe front fender problem
 

My advice at this point is to remove the board(s) and see if that fender goes back to where it should be. A running board that was 'forced" in to position will most certainly cause the issue you have. If removal of the board solves the problem, you know what needs to be done next - that is, figure out why the board is "tight".
I tend to install the entire front clip and align it perfectly prior to installing the boards and rear fenders. The rear fenders, if installed too far forward will cause a fitment issue with the boards that will subsequently cause an issue with the front clip.
If by removing the board(s) the front fender remains "popped out" then yes, the fender(s) need to be addressed.
My gut? Running board (improper) fitment.
So, that's your task for today... remove the board(s)...this will be he quickest and most effective way to figure out what's the cause of the issues you are seeing.

Now, as an "option" you could simply push the fender in and attach the gravel shield. If it is only an inch that the fender(s) stick out, you'll probably be fine doing it that way. the risk is cracked paint and / or underlying putty. Me? I don't care to have any stress on any sheet metal but if you don't want to contend with removing the boards and the possibility of moving the rear fenders back a bit, well, this may be the way to go for you.
Keep in mind, if the board(s) were "forced" in to position with as little as 1/8" too little space at the front fender, that bow will certainly occur.
Hope this helps,

Mike "Kube" Kubarth

Re: 40 Deluxe front fender problem
 

In your first photo, rather than having a smooth curved edge along the outside edge of the running board, it appears that the front portion of the running board (where it turns down towards the ground) is flared outward away from the natural curve of the board. This might be an optical illusion caused by the camera so I could be mistaken. Attached are some photos that may help. Keep in mind that on this 40 the front end sheet metal sits very low with the inner fender panels resting on the top of the frame rails. This is not OEM correct and makes the front end look lower. plus the car has 15 in. tires and a 4 in. dropped axle. The 1st photo shows the measurement with the tape measure hooked onto the inner bottom lip of the frame rail to the outer lip of the DRAKE running board cover. Photos 2 and 3 show the measurement from the lower corner of the running board to the rear of the fender opening. Maybe you can compare these measurements with yours as a starter. Of course getting these measurements off a stock 40 would be even better. Just wondering if you are having the same problem with the both boards. Follow Mike's advice and you will be fine, I think. Oh, one more thought. Does anything change when you remove the inner fender splash apron?

Re: 40 Deluxe front fender problem
 

Thanks Guys for your input.
Kube, running boards are off the car. This car was built in 2009 and this problem has been there all along. I am going to look at a stock 40 Standard Coupe today so I can get an idea of the gap between frame and fender inner skirt.
19Fordy, thanks for you post and pics, I will go out to the shed later and measure up.
Standby Guys, Thanks.

Re: 40 Deluxe front fender problem
 

All the info is correct, that was given.