PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: r4pinto on July 25, 2017, 07:04:09 PM

Title: Top of hatch won't seal
Post by: r4pinto on July 25, 2017, 07:04:09 PM
Hey guys,


I got a 1980 Pinto where the hatch will not seal at the top, and water leaks in.


When I bought the car it did not have a hatch gasket, so I bought a generic one. Well, it didn't seem to leak at the time but didn't mess with the car much either. Well, I had a small mishap and closed the hatch on a wrench which slightly bent it.


I got it straight from what I could tell but noticed water leaked in. I look inside the car and there is a slight gap, but also noticed the gasket doesn't really stick inside the metal and has no compression at all when the hatch is closed.


Any suggestions on a hatch gasket that will work or what could be adjusted?


The hatch gasket on the car now is from a 3 door focus and it DOES NOT work.
Title: Re: Top of hatch won't seal
Post by: dick1172762 on July 26, 2017, 01:24:31 PM
Sounds like you have a VERY slight v in the trunk lid after the bo-bo with the wrench. Work on that.
Title: Re: Top of hatch won't seal
Post by: r4pinto on July 26, 2017, 01:38:56 PM
Yeah I tried to take a 2x4 at the top of the hatch and give it a few good whacks but don't want to miss and shatter the window.


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Title: Re: Top of hatch won't seal
Post by: dick1172762 on July 26, 2017, 05:58:10 PM
JC Witney has every shape of weather stripping know to man and then some. Cheap too. Pictures too, so you can match it to what came on your Pinto.
Title: Re: Top of hatch won't seal
Post by: r4pinto on July 26, 2017, 06:09:43 PM
Unfortunately there wasn't one when I bought my car. The previous owners tossed it.
Title: Re: Top of hatch won't seal
Post by: dick1172762 on July 27, 2017, 02:36:30 PM
Well their seals are cheap enough to take a chance. Cross your fingers and pray to the Pinto gods.
Title: Re: Top of hatch won't seal
Post by: r4pinto on July 28, 2017, 06:17:27 AM
I took a hammer directly to the top of the hatch. I think it did a little more to help than the block of wood. The gap I was seeing in between the hatch and the seal is gone. It wasn't the best repair but for now it'll work. The hatch and glass are in need of replacement. Hatch due to rust in the lower corner and glass due to rear defrost grid being damaged beyond repair. For now it'll do
Title: Re: Top of hatch won't seal
Post by: dick1172762 on July 28, 2017, 10:03:34 AM
On the road again! Go for it!