Greetings friends. on my 68 HT, I decided to replace my real bad trunk seal with a brand new one from soff seal. Installed it the right direction, and now the trunk leaks very bad. It's also very hard to shut now. So, why would the new seal make it harder to shut? Why didn't the old rotten seal leak but this new one leaks abot 2 gallons in a normal car washing?
Also, anyone ever find out how to install those gas door flat springs that sell for like $20.00? None of the vendors selling them can help. As far as I can tell, the hing is cast together and can't remove the small pin to install new spring?
Did you thoroughly glue in the seal? if not, I would think the water would run into the channel, down towards the rear, then into the trunk. I studied the situation when I replaced mine and decided not to glue and just assumed it would leak. I try not to get my car wet.
It does take some time for the seal to conform. It helps to lay the seal in the sun for a short time to soften it up before installation. As Bob stated, the seal must have weatherstrip adhesive applied for it to work. Also clean the channel of the old seal and adhesive before installation.
Originally Posted By Bob S.
I try not to get my car wet.
Like going to the Doctor, and saying "it hurts when I do this." The Doc wil say, "well, don't do that."
Mine has leaked since the day I bought my car. I have replaced the seal a couple of times but have never glued it in place. After I wash my car I usually remove the seal, dry out the channel and the trunk and replace it.
Also, when you buy the new seal they are much longer than what you need. You have to stretch the seal as you are tucking it into the channel. Sometimes there is as much as 18" that needs to be cut. After you install the seal, if the trunk is too hard to close, pull one end out of the channel and cut off a few inches, then remove the seal completely and begin to tuck back into the channel again, pulling and stretching to ensure the two ends will meet. You may have to do this a few times until the trunk closes as it should...
When we instaled our seal it was hard to shut until it had sat in the sun for a while. We also glued ours in which helps seal it from moisture. We used the softseal as well. We had to use a small tipped screw driver to poke the edge of the seal all the way down to fit in the channel.
Those after market gas door springs work fine. We replaced ours. You need to drive out the pin with a small punch. You could also use a piece of steel wire the same size in diameter. Nothing smaller though since that pin is split on one side and you will just flare it out using to small of a punch.
I had all kinds of leaks into my trunk... found these 1) leaked around bumper bolts , at several locations 2) cracked convertible gutter 3)around tail lights 4) a small PINHOLE (that I`ve later also seen on several other cars, UNDER the seal in the rear right (pass side) corner, where the metals come together, you dont see it with the seal installed and if glued in , maybe seals it , but in my case didnt) check for pinhole there
