Trunk weatherstrip issues

[jimmycuda71]

Just had my 1973 Cuda painted. I replaced the decklid (AMD) and Trunk weatherstrip (Steele Rubber). Now the decklid will not hardly close. It is like the weatherstrip is to thick or tall. The body shop had to adjust the latch all the way up to even get it to close at all. And you still have to slam it. Is there any adjustment that can be done to the hinges? The back of the decklid contacts the weatherstrip way to soon. I am calling the back the side next to the rear window.
 

[Topcat]

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=77626.msg783431#msg783431

[jimmycuda71]

Just went from bad to worst.  I opened the trunk and removed an item. I closed it and went to leave the shop. It sounded like a gun went off in my trunk. Now it will not open but about a 1/4 of the way and the lid has shifted to the left.

[dutch]

sounds like the torsionbar jumped...
weatherstrip had the same issue. I released tension on the lock and in over one week in warm weather I adjusted the lock a bit every day, then it sat perfectly.

[mopardave]

do you have the D shaped seal, these are taller than the 70-72 seal, common issue with trunk seals.

[jimmycuda71]

Yes it has the D shaped seal. I have the one for the earlier model too. It came in the softseal kit. But instead of using it, I ordered what came on the car. I am thinking now that might have been a mistake.

[burdar]

No one makes the correct seal for the 73's.  The D-shaped one is the closest but it isn't correct either.  The original factory piece looks like a shark dorsal fin.  I thought I had a picture of mine on this computer but I don't.

This is what I had to do to get the D-shaped seal to work.  I had to clamp pieces of wood to the seal to get it to compress.  I left it this way for 2 weeks I think.  I was able to get the trunk closed after that.

[dodj]

No one makes the correct seal for the 73's.  The D-shaped one is the closest but it isn't correct either.  The original factory piece looks like a shark dorsal fin.

My '73 came originally with the 'D' seal. Maybe a mid-year thing?

[jimmycuda71]

I had thought of trying that. But I was not sure if it would work. Guess that's what i will try, if I can ever get my trunk open again. I will try going through my back seat.

[burdar]

This link shows both the new D style and the original style.  I havn't found anyone making the correct piece.

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=5682124

[jimynick]

Jimmy, if you can get the lid up 25% as you said, you should be able to get a good light and look at the torsion bars and their mounting area in the hinge braces. If you can see that one jumped, you should be able to slowly and carefully force up the deck, until the skinniest guy in the place can get in the trunk to resolve it. It almost sounds like the rods were never installed correctly for them to jump and that may have been a large part of you closing difficulty as well. Slow and gentle does it. good luck. 

[jimmycuda71]

You sure could be right. Definately worth checking. Does anyone have a picture or a diagram of how they should be installed?