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69 Birdcage Hinge Bolt Caulk

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Old Oct 13, 2016 | 07:47 PM
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Default 69 Birdcage Hinge Bolt Caulk

The door hinge bolts on my 69 all have a sealer type caulk around each bolt. It feels like hard rubber with a bit of flex to it, looks like it was done in a hurry and is an off white in color. Was this done at the factory in 69 or was Bubba lurking here at one time? Nothing looks disturbed or moved but I was unable to find anything in the AIM to suggest this was done.



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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 05:24 AM
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Originally Posted by CanadaGrant
The door hinge bolts on my 69 all have a sealer type caulk around each bolt. It feels like hard rubber with a bit of flex to it, looks like it was done in a hurry and is an off white in color. Was this done at the factory in 69 or was Bubba lurking here at one time? Nothing looks disturbed or moved but I was unable to find anything in the AIM to suggest this was done.



When redoing my car I used a product called DUCT SEAL PUTTY. It is a light gray in color and is made to fill holes and large gaps when doing electrical work. It seals and remains in place.

I can't speak for 1969, but the same sealer was in place on my 77. It prevented water from going under the hinges/shims and collecting at the #2 birdcage mount.
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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 07:17 AM
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Originally Posted by CanadaGrant
...Was this done at the factory...
Yes. Since the bolts are not in an appearance area, workers did not need to make things neat and tidy. The intent was no leaks during the water test.

Look over the AIM page again and you might find a call out with a number equating to sealer. The call out might mention how much sealer was to be used per car. At the front of the AIM, there is a listing of the call out numbers relating to sealers, adhesives, lubes of various types, etc.

Last edited by Easy Mike; Oct 14, 2016 at 07:21 AM.
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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 07:21 AM
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Hi CG,
I too found sealer around the hinges and bolts during disassembly.
I too was unable to find mention of any sealer used for the hinges or their bolts in the AIM?
I think the sealer was added around the perimeter of the hinge after the shims were installed.
I used the black 3M strip caulk on the mount side of the hinge to seal each hinge to to the lock pillars.
Regards,
Alan

You can see the cracked sealer with body color over it in this picture. It appeared this sealer was 'pumped' into place because on the bottom of the hinged it had 'sagged' into the beginning shape of a drip.


Here you see the black sealer with no paint on it.
This may indicate that this sealer was added after the 'water leak' test.
Notice the clear demarcation where the body paint on the hinge stopped where in went into the door frame.

Last edited by Alan 71; Oct 14, 2016 at 07:38 AM.
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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 03:35 PM
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Definitely seen that sealant on my 69' and 72'
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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 05:06 PM
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Thanks guys! I had not seen this before and had never thought about sealing the bolt heads from the inside of the pillar. Makes sense though as there is a slot underneath for hinge adjustment and moisture in that pocket is the last thing you want...
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Old Oct 14, 2016 | 11:52 PM
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Looks the same on my late built 68.
Marshal
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Old Oct 15, 2016 | 01:20 AM
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This is what my 69 looks like.

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Old Oct 15, 2016 | 01:29 AM
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the sealer was put on the pillar post before the fibreglass trim as well , the curve area (where the trim tag is ) has a light covering ,probably to get the rivet holes sealed as well .
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