Exterior door handles

[Cuda_mark]

Should the exterior door handles fit flush with the body once they are installed? I just installed mine on my doors and they stand proud of the door by about 1/16". They follow the contour perfectly and are perfectly centered in the opening but I thought they would fit flush.

[340challconvert]

Cuda and Challenger door handles came with different part numbers from the factory.  They will fit but using the Challenger handle on a Cuda will cause a gap. They are not originally the same!

Challenger.-  2999882/2999883.

Cuda. Barracuda/Cuda.-  2999816/2999817.

Search with the Cuda part number and the correct door handles will come up from different vendors.

[Cuda_mark]

Thanks for the quick reply. I know that the chally handles and cuda handles have a different shape. Thats not what I'm talking about though. My handles follow the contour correctly but they stand proud over that entire contour.

[Cuda Cody]

Aftermarket handles and sheet metal can all fit a little bit different.  Even factory stuff does not always fit great.  Normally I test fit all the handles and trim before painting the car. 

Since your car is painted, can you see what it is hanging up on?  Is it a gasket issues or is the back of the handles hitting the inside of the door frame?  It might be something that you just have to live with. 

[Shane Kelley]

 

[72 Challenger]

I once bought reproduction handles and found the gaskets were thicker than the OE ones. I cleaned up the old ones and re-used them and it fit correctly.

[anlauto]

They never sat flush 100% with the door 

[Jim AAR]

They never sat flush 100% with the door