1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

[Anthony P.]

Ok, so I have tried just about everything to get my trunk lid nice and aligned all around and have not been able to get the top surface level with the edges at the 2 rear side/corner areas.

The passengers side is raised up about 1/4" and the drivers side is low about 1/4".

All of the gaps are near perfect, and the back edge near the hinges is nice and flush with the surfaces.

If I put a small piece of towel rolled up on the drivers side back corner just above the tail lights and close the lid, everything looks perfect and all surfaces are flush.

I also have new weather stripping, however, this was like that even with the old weatherstripping.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Tony

[Sandra H.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

Tony,

I have no solution for you, but have one corner out of four on my '62 that is raised also.
Hoping maybe bumping you back up to the top of the list might get some suggestions.

Best,
Sandy

[Gary B.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

Back in the summer of `95 my trunk lid fit great. After I got back from the NCRS Road Tour to Steamboat Springs the right (PS) rear corner was up. I think because of the heat and too much luggage in the trunk.

I did get it to go down a bit by propping open the trunk on the left side and centre and putting a weight on the right rear corner for about 2 weeks. This was in the heat of the summer on top of my lift near the ceiling.

[Sandra H.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

Gary,

Glad to hear someone else has had that experience.....don't know how the corner came to be like that, it was that way when I got it.

But since it's hotter than hades here, I will go out today and weight it down.

Thank you......it's appreciated.

Sandy

[Anthony P.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

Thanks for the info. In the past month, I have seen 3 1962's with the exact problem as mine, with the same right rear corner raised.

What I have been doing, is putting a small rag rolled up on the left sied to prop it up, and level everything off.

Tony

[Anthony P.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

Gary,

Thanks for the idea on propping up one side and weighing the other down.

I did this over 3 days and it is now within 1/8 of an inch and looks so much better. I was also able to readjust the center latch so now it even closes easier.

Thanks,
Tony

[Gary B.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

Gary,

Thanks for the idea on propping up one side and weighing the other down.

I did this over 3 days and it is now within 1/8 of an inch and looks so much better. I was also able to readjust the center latch so now it even closes easier.

Thanks,
Tony

Your welcome. It may sound unconventional..... but it worked.

[Greg S.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

If the trunk lid is high at the hinge side compared to the body the proper procedure is to add shims between the hinge and the trunk. This is counter to what you might think. It should lower the trunk.

[Anthony P.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

Add shims even if the back areas (next to both of the hinges), is perfectly flush with the areas around it?

Thanks,
Tony

[Gary B.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

Add shims even if the back areas (next to both of the hinges), is perfectly flush with the areas around it?
Thanks,
Tony

A few of us tried doing that but it just didn't work for me.

[John H.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

Add shims even if the back areas (next to both of the hinges), is perfectly flush with the areas around it?

Thanks,
Tony

Tony -

No. If the forward end of the trunk lid is flush to the body, the hinges need no attention.

[Anthony P.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

The foreward end is perfect. It is just the back right was slightly up (was 1/2", now its about 1/8"), and the back left slightly down.

Tony

[Peter V.]

Re: 1962 Trunk Lid adjustment

My '61 had the same issue. Both front corners flush, drivers side rear raised 1/2". Also, trunk was difficult to open and close.
Local body shop played with the trunk latch only - no shims or hinge adjustments. Both the parts of the latch are adjustable. Now all four corners are flush and the trunk opens and closes smoothly.
Take a close look at the alignment of the trunk latch -that's probably where the solution lies.