How can I fix this gap?

[scogin918]

I have a problem with how the quarter was put on by the last guy. When you close the trunk lid the gap between the lid and the quarter is way too big (about 3/4") on the driver's side. One idea the painter had was to weld some bar stock to the top of the quarter to help fill in the gap and then use filler to shape the rest. Nobody makes just the top of the quarter and I'm not buying a whole one just to take this little piece off. Can you cut the existing piece off and move it closer to the trunk lid and fill in the new gap with sheet metal or would it be better to make a new piece? This is the last hurdle before we dp-90 the car and move on to the front sheetmetal. The trunk lid is a real nice piece that I got from Rick's so I don't think I'll mess with anything on that side.

[MrQuick]

im no body man, but I would center it as best I could then add metal to both sides of the trunk lid.

How are the gaps between the windshield filler and the quarters?

[HILROD]

Is it just one side, or both? How does the spoiler fit to the quarters? Does the trunk latch? Has the car had any other trunk lid on it? I'd find it hard to believe that all of that gap is from one quarter. Can you center the decklid? Is there another car you can get measurements from to see why it's like that? Maybe it's just the decklid. If you are set on keeping the trunklid as is I'd try and center it and see if you can get some small angle stock and weld it in to both sides.

[NOT A TA]

Have you measured other peoples trunklids and trunk openings?

[69 Hugger 396]

I just went through the same problem with the same deck lid. They are too small for the opening. I tried to install one on an original 69 Z28 with original quarter panels and the gap looked just like what you have. I got a decent line on the left quarter, then I had to grind off the radius on the right front corner of the lid to get the leading edge straight. I then was left with a gap you could throw a live bird through on the right. I cut the edge off the original lid, ground, filed and fit the donor piece until it looked good, then I butt welded it to the edge of the repop lid. It actually came out really nice but I sure wish these people could do their homework and get this stuff a little better. Good luck with your project.

[rubadub]

This one was tight, but same principle.

Trunk Alignment Repair
Problem: Trunk would not align at lower corners due to passenger quarter panel being slightly off. Passenger side gap was ~1/32-1/16" to small at lower corner, and the upper corner by the window was fine and matched drivers side gap. Quarter panel has already been welded and aligned to old body panels so I did not want to move it.

Solution: Instead of modifying the trunk lid and messing it up, I chose to open the gap by taking the needed material out of the quarter panel.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030358.jpg) Image 1
Problem area! Gap to small.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030371.jpg) Image 2
Drivers side gap is correct.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030379.jpg) Image 3
Slowly cutting and tack welding the adjusted cut.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030384.jpg) Image 4
Still slowly cutting and tack welding the adjusted cut.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030390.jpg) Image 5
Keeping it going, nice n' slow.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030395.jpg) Image 6
Ahh finally, got it all welded up.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030400.jpg) Image 7
After initial grind, needs a bit more filling with the welder.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030402.jpg) Image 8
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030406.jpg) Image 9
Looking better!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030412.jpg) Image 10
Nice Gap- :-)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030421.jpg) Image 11
Finished Passenger side gap. Hooray!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://mysite.verizon.net/kyleburnett/trunk-align-repair/p1030422.jpg) Image 12
Finished Drivers side gap.

Rob

[scogin918]

The trunk lid latches and the passenger's side gap is just fine. I had another trunk lid (import) but the body man said that it would take too much work so that's why I bought the good/expensive one from Rick's. I still have the old one so maybe we can put that one back on or at least measure it to see what the difference, if any, could be.

I'll also use my friend's '69 and measure his lid and quarters to see if that can tell us anything.

[dhutton]

You might want to check the bumper fit to make sure the quarters are not too wide for the bumper to fit. I've seen this happen.

Don

[B Schein]

I put on 4 sets of 69 aftermarket quarters this year and ever car has been like that I just cut and readjust the quarters till everything lines up.

[scogin918]

Well, we pretty much chose a method and ran with it. Sometimes it's better to judt go ahead and try something than to sit there :banghead:. When I stopped by yesterday they had already started adding some flat stock a little bit at a time until the gap was the same as the passenger's side. That will get fully welded and then smoothed over with filler. The hardest part seemed to be cutting the flat stock to match the contour of that area of the quarter. After that the pieces were tacked in place until the gap is good all of the way to the top corner of the trunk lid. I'll try to take some pics before they mud over it.

[paul67]

Ask them if they can use lead, or make sure there's as little filler used , as if someone slams the lid it might crack, what I have found over here in the UK to use is a flexable filler comes in a yellow tin made in europe, will see if it over there , we used it a lot on fibre glass kit cars as it does not crack or shrink, if you have some left on the scraper over nght when you bend it the filler bends as well,it does not snap like most fillers.

[paul67]

The filler's called plastic padding elastic ,it's part of unibond,henkel,loctite ,check web site you reconize a company they are in the US try marine or DIY shops