Quarter panel extensions.....gaskets or no?

[71charger500]

On my 71 Charger, I'm curious as to whether or not it is supposed to have gaskets between the quarter panels and the extensions or caps at the rear. I have seen gaskets for 2nd gen Chargers for sale, but can't find any for 3rd generation. If there are none, any ideas on how it all needs to be finished off back there would be apreciated. Thanks

 

[Nacho-RT74]

When I dissasembled my car the first time, it was also the first time for it being dissasembled. I didn't found any kind of gasket. Just the plugs

 

[71charger500]

Same here....found nothing during disassembly....just wanna be u sure. Wondering how to keep moisture out and make it look good after painting. Seems body filler will crack since the edge is so thin.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

body filler? why filler there ? there is not filler there!

 

[71charger500]

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body filler? why filler there ? there is not filler there!

Because to make flawless edge transitions, filler is skimmed over the entire car...including that area....none of which are even or smooth from the factory. Any decent body job would be done this way. The seem is then re-cut in the correct groove....the piece should be removable, in order to get paint in between the quarter panel and extension piece and then join the two back together.

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....did not mean that body filler would be INSIDE...just meant on the outside.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

hell, no! there is not body filler on that area! factory never "smothed out" that junction, its totally visible and extension is removable without any kind of filler there.

I never have found in any 71/74 Charger ( in factory conditions ) I have parted out with body filler there

 

[WP29440SE]

hell, no! there is not body filler on that area! factory never "smothed out" that junction, its totally visible and extension is removable without any kind of filler there.

I never have found in any 71/74 Charger ( in factory conditions ) I have parted out with body filler there

ditto here too. I have found "body shops" like to fill the quarter panel to valance seams too. its a nightmare trying to remove it.

 

[71charger500]

Like I said....these areas are NEVER evened out at the factory.....that is why the extension sticks out further than the quarter panel or visa versa. I never said "fill in" the inside....I said "skim" the outside transition and re-create the groove again, so the piece IS removable like it should be...maybe 1/16" at the most. My point was, there is. such a small edge all the way around that piece, (the part that butts against the quarter panel), there is no way to keep water from getting between the two and rusting out the metal end piece of each quarter panel....already had to cut out and replace both sides....welded in place, just to clarify....no filler inside...let me repeat, NO FILLER ON THE INSIDE BETWEEN QUARTER PANEL AND EXTENSION CAPS..which is why my original question was whether or not a gasket or seal existed, to keep moisture out, even though I did not find one upon disassembly....I wanted to be sure, since 2nd generation Chargers DO have seals...merely wanted to do the right thing. Had no idea by merely mentioning the word "filler", it would make anyone think I would gob a bunch of filler inside and all over it. Not at all what I said, nor would I advocate that.

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The factory also never got the gaps around doors and body panels even....doesn't make it "wrong", to fix those too. The point of filler, ANYWHERE on a vehicle, is to fix factory imperfections.....not to fill dents, gaps, and holes. It does have its place....not just in "body shops" either. 9 out of 10 top restoration shops in the world do not paint a
vehicle until it has been skim coated with filler, numerous coats of high build primer, and block sand numerous times.....standard procedure for a GOOD paint job....if all I wanted was a "run of the mill" hackjob re-paint, I wouldn't be going to all this trouble.

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Thought I should clarify something in my last statement...when I mentioned "fixing" factory gaps around doors and body panels, I DID NOT mean fix them by using bodyfiller....don't want that to get misinterprated. I obviously meant "adjust" them until the gaps are even. Lol

 

[red340bbody]

my 73 rallye from AZ was filled with the same white goop that they put in the gutter rail ...the drivers side on mine was a real bitch to come off ...it was pretty thick as well..will have to see what happens when she comes home from the body shop ...

 

[flypaper]

the factory used whats called seam sealer, not filler
if you did not have a gasket,that is what was used.
its the same stuff used on all the seams inside the car.
3m makes a good one.
only a few cars actually used a gasket.
for instance 68 coronets had gaskets,
69 coronets never had them..
you have to research your model/year car to know for sure what they came with
as they do make gaskets for many cars that never came with them. lol

 

[Jonnyuma]

If there's not a gasket available for your car, and its something you feel strongly about, you could make your own out of some thin neoprene or rubber gasket material (sold in sheets).

I believe some are missing your point about skimming the quarter/extension seam and then recutting the seam. Since it was brought up in a post about body gaskets some people are thinking you want to put filler BETWEEN the panel's end and the extension to seal it up or some such nonsense. Or fill/smooth/obliterate the seam completely. I think you've explained a common bodywork practice quite sufficiently....they're two entirely DIFFERENT aspects of the same part of the car. It's like if you asked what's a good paint to paint your valve covers with, and will it resist oil...and then people advised you not to use paint as motor oil...

 

[71charger500]

Thank you!!!! Exactly!....well said. I appreciate the help guys, as well as the common sense.
I had a feeling that seam sealer may have played a role....they loved smearing that crap anywhere and everywhere they could. I will definitely look into making a gasket as suggested. Thanks guys.