It’s supposed to “curve” toward the gas filler area......

I have been following Jo Daddy Garage on Youtube. He is doing very similar sheet metal work that I am going to do. This is his video where he shows differences between the Ford Tooling and Tiawan sheet metal fitment where the tail panel is concerned. This slight curve is discussed in this video and how important it is. He has some really good info on his channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbklLc_zuXE



 

MustangSteve wrote:

http://www.mustangsteve.com/taillightpanel.html

Thanks, but I'm not replacing the tail light panel - just having to work it a bit and wanted to verify that it is supposed to curve inward about 1/8" at the filler neck opening.
 

MustangSteve wrote:

Don't believe everything you see.  The deck lid, taillight panel and the rear bumper on 65-66 all had the same curve from the factory.  If you install one of them with a straight piece, you might as well replace all three so it doesn't show.  If you want it "right", then they all need to have the curve in them.

All replacement decklids are straight.  The Chinese taillight panels I have seen are straight (I used an NOS Ford one with the curve that I found for only $225) and all replacement bumpers are straight.

I have reworked a couple of taillight panels that had dents in them and it is really tough to get them right where they don't "oil can" on you.  It is a lot easier to replace it with a new one than it is to fix dents.  Problem is getting a curved one,

It is more like 3/8" to 1/2" than 1/8".

Thanks.  I'm feeling a lot better now.  My deck lid overhang, taillight panel, and bumper are all curved inward.  The left side had a few minor issues, but now all is well.   Luckily I was able to work it out w/out the oil canning.  I remeasured the tail light panel and now with a straight edge across, there's about a 3/8"+ gap at the filler neck entry.  The trunk lid closes with a nice even gap to the tail light panel all the way across.