54 inner fender well gasket/weatherstrip

[Guy M.]

While disassembling my car years ago there was a weatherstrip/gasket between the lower lip of the fender wells and the frame. It seems like thats factory and if so how thick is it. I dont seem to see that offered in the various parts catalogs. Is this for water and is it supposed to be a tight fit? Maybe just for dirt. In any case, it would be easier to install it before body drop. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks folks.

[Gary H.]

Re: 54 inner fender well gasket/weatherstrip

Guy, The weatherstrip/seal is somewhat "L" shaped and is attached before the body drop. As you can see from the photo it is stapled from the bottom up,no glue.Lt side.jpg

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 inner fender well gasket/weatherstrip

Thanks Gary for the pic, I appreciafe it. Do you know if this is available anywhere?? Im getting close to dropping it.

[Jim L.]

Re: 54 inner fender well gasket/weatherstrip

'57 Chebbies use something similar between the inner fenders and the frame rails. When I restored my '57 (30-ish years ago) there was nothing being reproduced to duplicate this piece of material. After studying the remnants of the original I concluded it looked like heavy denim. So, I cut up a pair of old Levis, dyed the scraps black, and stapled them in place. Looked and worked like a charm. The same trick might work on your '54.

Jim

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 inner fender well gasket/weatherstrip

Thanks Jim, I found what was left of mine and it is L-shaped. Really dried out rubber. Measures 1" X 3/4". The 1" side has the staples. I wonder if some material at the hardware store can be cut to look similar although old jeans seems cool too. I'll keep looking. I dont know if the 57's have something similar. Thanks again.

[Chris S.]

Re: 54 inner fender well gasket/weatherstrip

mine was a little thicker rubber - stapled - it has a thread like material if you cut it apart - like belt material - mine was flat - it was not L shaped.
We recreated it
Contact Brett Henderson - Blue Flame Restorations - he make them

[Jim L.]

Re: 54 inner fender well gasket/weatherstrip

Thanks Jim, I found what was left of mine and it is L-shaped. Really dried out rubber. Measures 1" X 3/4". The 1" side has the staples. I wonder if some material at the hardware store can be cut to look similar although old jeans seems cool too. I'll keep looking. I dont know if the 57's have something similar. Thanks again.

Brain spasm at my end. You are right about the rubber. As a 30+ year old memory slowly creeps back into daylight, I believe what I did was to laminate the denim onto a sheet of rubber.... both sides maybe. I'll be going to my shop in a bit and will verify this. Till then, don't believe anything I write.

[Brett H.]

Re: 54 inner fender well gasket/weatherstrip

While disassembling my car years ago there was a weatherstrip/gasket between the lower lip of the fender wells and the frame. It seems like thats factory and if so how thick is it. I dont seem to see that offered in the various parts catalogs. Is this for water and is it supposed to be a tight fit? Maybe just for dirt. In any case, it would be easier to install it before body drop. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks folks.

Hi Gary. I do make the seals based on patterns made from original pieces and use correct material as well. BV1953@aol.com