Quick question to those who have a '37. I'm installing new trunk rubber on my 60 series coupe. Does the rubber go onto the trunk lid or onto the trunk gutter?
Photos?
Thanks in advance, Ken ;)
anyone...?
Ken, I'm not sure about the 60 Series but the 75 Series rubber goes on the deck lid. Harry
On my 37 60 series,it goes into the channel on the body,there is a deep channel made for it.Has your car been modified?.I used a rubber i got from Steele,it fit just like factory.My car is a 4 door convertible sedan,its possible it may be different then a coupe. Harveyb
Thanks Harvey and Harry:
The car is original so no issues there. The trunk gutter is deep too on my car. But through the years on many other various cars I've seen it both ways and the design of the rubber doesn't always make it obvious. Just want to insure against leaks.
And Yes, I try to buy from Steele when I can. Seems like there rubber is always a good fit and lasts. To add I have not received the trunk rubber yet but while I was doing some "trunk work" I began to wonder...
Regards, Ken
The Fisher Body Service Manual for 1937 states that the rubber weatherstrip used on Coupe deck lids is cemented to a weatherstrip retainer on the underside of the lid. and for the sedan it is cemented to a retainer on the body. Both weatherstrips are one piece and are cemented in their respective retainers so that the ends form a butt joint at the bottom of the opening (Page 50, Figure 166). The 38 Service manual doesn't mention the Deck lid weatherstrip, presumably because it's the same as 37.
Tom Beaver
Thanks, Tom
Interesting. My deck lid is pretty nice and not repaired and I don't see anything that resembles a "Retainer".
When I look at the replacement rubber from Steele it looks like a flat piece of rubber with double sided tape on it. It looks to be about 3/4" wide by about an eighth to a quarter inch thick. Their description says it was designed as was/is as the original seal. But with that said they must be speaking to the sedan install because they say, if I read it correctly, it secures to the trunk gutter.
But in any event, thanks so much for the info. Thanks to you I now know it definitely goes onto the trunk lid on my coupe-- one way or another. It kind of perplexed me because on most other cars of the 30's I've worked on it was kind of obvious once you looked at the rubber and both the trunk lid and trunk gutter.
Regards, Ken
What's the difference between a 50 and 60 Series coupe? From what I saw I think Ken has a 50 Series and I think the rubber goes on the body, not the lid, will check tomorrow and let you know.
The 50 Series is LaSalle and 60 Series is Cadillac. The original post states 60 Series. Harry
Like Harvey , my 37 6049 series has rubber in the channel surrounding the trunk opening . Sorry for the dark photos Paul Tesone CLC #6876
Thanks for the photos Paul. That's what I was thinking but of course my car is a coupe (Cadillac). But with that said, I'm surprised that Steele lists the seal they have without a distinction between the coupe and the sedan. Your rubber certainly is not the same as the one Steele is selling
https://www.steelerubber.com/trunk-weatherstrip-70-0798-84
This is listed as a "1937 Cadillac Series 60 coupe 2 passenger"
Ken,do you have a picture of the lid and trunk area of your car,possibly someone here might be able to identify what one you need?.Myself i have never seen a coupe in person ::),i just assumed they were all the same?. Harveyb
Sure I will take some photos today at the shop. Thanks for the interest and help!
It's not so much an origianality issue but more of a don't want water leaking into the trunk issue. And here in Florida, one minute you are enjoying a nice drive in the sunshine and the next it's a torrential downpour!
Regards, Ken
Even with the proper seal,it may not seal like a new car,back then they were not so interested in sealing everything up waterproof :-\ it was a different time back then.The original rubber most likely had metal clips to hold it in place,glue and 2 sided tape were not used much then,Im sure we can help you figure it out. Harveyb
Totally get the fact that it probably won't seal up perfectly. Here's the photos of the trunk gutter and the trunk lid.
sorry for some reason two of the same trunk lid posted.
Here is the trunk gutter;
That looks like the channel on my car,pretty sure the same seal would work,Steele Rubber used to send out samples of the rubbers they make,not sure if they still do that.I will look and see if i have any left over from mine,i never throw out anything ;D.ill let you know tomorrow if i find it,there was a little piece left over. Harveyb
Thanks Harvey. That would be great!
Regards, Ken
I did find apiece of it,it is 3/4 inch square, i have a photo,when i can figure how to get it from my phone i will post it :-X. 2 of the edges are rounded off,it is soft rubber foam?.It fit in the channel on the body and fit real snug. Harveyb
Got them,some of this technology is getting hard to keep up with. :P
Yup, that's what I finally found in the old Steele catalog. They have redone the website and it's not as good as it used to be IMO. As it took some looking in their old catalog to find the rubber you have pictured-- didn't find it on the website.
I can get the rubber you show me from Metro or SoftSeal for a lot less money. But a ton of thanks for the help! Through the years of cars I have built I have a handful of rubber seals I have used and I might be able to source one that will work even better than the "block" type Steele offers. A '39 Chevy coupe comes to mind...
But once again you guys here have come through, and I thank you all!
Regards, Ken
The rubber on my '37 LaSalle is still connected to the deck lid and sure it is original.
Thanks to all of you. I got your phone message Carl and I wanted to call you back and chat. Working like a rented mule right now. The good news is my '37 Cad is coming along very well. I will talk to you soon.