Challenger trunk sealing

Sublime For 40 · Post by **Sublime For 40** » Wed Jun 26, 13 12:55 pm

Could any kind soul with a '70 Challenger have a look at the rear light panel on their car from inside the trunk and tell me if they can see daylight around all 4 rear light (and centre reverse light) body apertures. Mine came with brand new light assemblies but I cant help thinking there should be some sort of gasket (rubber or foam) between the 5 rectangular holes in the body panel and the 5 reflectors that stick through them and into the trunk.

I suspect something is missing as I have water in there if it rains and a heady mixture of tailpipe fumes which I think are getting drawn in through the gaps . . .

I notice Year One sells a 'paint gasket' kit which looks like what is missing.

I have foam standing by - just wondered what others looked like ?

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Jun 26, 13 1:00 pm

There will be a foam Gasket, any Mopar light assy. I have come across uses one.

autofetish · Post by **autofetish** » Wed Jun 26, 13 1:20 pm

https://www.yearone.com/Product/1966-74 ... body/jh304

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Wed Jun 26, 13 1:22 pm

Yep and I wouldn't bother with a factory gasket .......... I'd just cut a pr out of some decent self adhesive foam rubber sheet. Probably seal better and last out the seasons without decaying so quickly

Sublime For 40 · Post by **Sublime For 40** » Wed Jun 26, 13 9:16 pm

You guys have pretty much confirmed what I thought.

Spent this evening with some foam strip trying to block it up.

However, it struck me that on 'modern cars' you have some form of cabin air exhaust - these days hidden behind the rear bumper moulding with non-return letterbox type flaps to let air out but not back in.

Even older cars usually have 'D' pillar vents.

How did the the Chrysler guys do it in the Seventies ?
Either the whole cabin leaked like hell anyway (quite possible) or the gaps are intentional and functional . .

Guess I'll find out next time I have a curry !