Question on trunk install/adjustment

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Okay, I have installed the Kgap trunk seals and have now bolted the trunk onto the hinges. Therein lies the problem. The gap between the trunk edges and the body is symeterical all the way around but the trunk does not seem to fit snug against the body. This is most noticeable where the trunk curves down next to the taillights. At the bottem there is a 1/2 inch gap between the bottem edge of the trunk and the body. Is this the nature of the beast? This is my first Hudson restoration so I don't know what to expect in terms of tolerances. Are the Kgap seals to stiff for a good fit? I have heard this about their door seals on the forum here. Any tricks to snug the trunk down closer to the body?



Any feedback greatly appreciated.



Doug

Comments

  • duncan
    duncan Expert Adviser
    This is just a hint When I glass beaded the hinges for our 54 Hollywood I then painted them with alluminum paint I installed the hinges and trunk lid then lowered the trunk but instead of going down the hinges bent BAD I streightened them then sprayed chain lube with MOLLY to the hinges and now it takes one finger to close the trunk hudsonly Ray:D
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Doug-

    Welcome to the world of Hudsons!;) Common problem on all step-downs is that panels often are not a simple "bolt-on" proposition. There always seems to be some fidgeting, adjusting, occasional swearing, manipulating, problem-solving, you name it. Decklids are no exception. Fortunately, Hudson engineers were some pretty sharp people and an assortment of adjustable factors are built into most components. There is some adjustment in your strike plate mounted inside the trunk. See if you can move the plate down towards the ground, even a quarter inch or so and it will get the lid to tuck down tighter. At the same time, or I should say, before trying the lid after initial adjustments to the striker, you might have to raise the hinges ever so slightly. Remember that adjustments on one side always affect all the other sides.
  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    From the cars I seen over the years and my own restorations, the trunk about half way down does no seal very well. You can lower the hinges but that may take away the flushness of the deck lid to the package tray.



    Half to rememeber that lids and doors alike were stamped out and probably after a few thousand stamps they changed evey so slightly. You will notice on door lines were one part looks good and another is off on its lines.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Thanks Russmaas. I guess that is the nature of the beast. One thing I did that may be causing the problem is that I used the trunk off my parts car as it was in better condition. The parts car is a 54 Hornet and the car I am restoring is a 54 Special, both sedans. I would think that the trunks would match up. I have got it fairly close but there is about a 1/2 inch gap between the bottem of the trunk and the body. Is that typical?
  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    [/I]dougc_portland wrote:
    Thanks Russmaas. I guess that is the nature of the beast. One thing I did that may be causing the problem is that I used the trunk off my parts car as it was in better condition. The parts car is a 54 Hornet and the car I am restoring is a 54 Special, both sedans. I would think that the trunks would match up. I have got it fairly close but there is about a 1/2 inch gap between the bottem of the trunk and the body. Is that typical?





    I would have to check the gap on my 54, but a half inch gap is is probably normal. I will let you know if it is not.



    russ
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