Yep, very common. I've got the same problem on my '72. Only way I can figure out to how close up the gaps is to enlarge the holes in the core support, behind the headlight buckets, and at the top of the core support where the fenders bolts to it; effectively sliding the fender down in front in relation to the core support. I've not tried it yet though.............. o No:
After making sure the hood opening is "square": Carefully lower the back lower bolt on the left hood hinge. It will close the right front gap on the hood to fender. A little goes a long way, so be careful. Moving those bolts straightens the hood in the opening as well as raising and lowering the rear of the hood. Tape the entire opening. Have a fussy helper. Patience.
Exactly. The headlight bucket mounting points are fixed as are the fender to core support mountings. Like Dean said, you would have to get creative by elongating holes. But that's just the way they came. You could probably get the hood a little better by adjusting the three adjustable hood stops in the front
You're looking to do the Japanese marble test on a piece of American iron. You will not see that fit without a lot of work. The US has caught up pretty much on what Deming taught the post-WW2 Japanese about quality. I worked at the GMAD in Van Nuys in the early '70s and saw that drugs were rampant. People get bored with repetitive work, that's what they do. Not me, but that's what I saw. Part of the problem with Chevy Vegas was that a lot of the assembly (welding in particular) was automated, and there was a serious problem with sabotage of the equipment and vehicles by the workers who didn't want to be replaced by machinery. If you have to elongate holes and so forth to get the fit you want, that's what it is going to take.
I am convinced it may be the hoods on some of these cars. I think the mold/press may have been off. Many cars are off on the passenger side.
