Installation Of A-Pillar Molding on 500 / Daytona

[RallyeMike]

Can anyone share details on how these were originally installed from the factory?

How did they cut the rubber seal and install the screws in the stainless tabs that protrude into the window seal on the front? After installation, did they then place another bead of rubber sealant along the front edge? I suppose that when new, the rubber may have been piable enough to just cut a slit in it and install a screw and the rubber would sort of self-heal back over it?

I've reinstalled these on my 500, but the original rubber is so hard that its not possible to secure the tabs on the front of the stainless.

[richRTSE]

some info here.....and a good explanation on page 2 by hemiGeno...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,20599.0.html

[r4daytona]

I read the whole thread on this but it got off track about license plates and never showed the "gobbed up sealant".  I bought a set of Daytonalo's trim and think they look great, I just want to know the proper look when installed.  Honestly I can't remember on mine if there were holes for the screws on the gasket side.  I take it from the thread that the trim was put in place with the mounting tabs sandwiched between the body and windshield gasket and the some screws where just screwed in through the gasket, in the holes on the trim and into the a-pillar post. correct??  Would like to see some pictures so i get mine right.

[hemi68charger]

I read the whole thread on this but it got off track about license plates and never showed the "gobbed up sealant".  I bought a set of Daytonalo's trim and think they look great, I just want to know the proper look when installed.  Honestly I can't remember on mine if there were holes for the screws on the gasket side.  I take it from the thread that the trim was put in place with the mounting tabs sandwiched between the body and windshield gasket and the some screws where just screwed in through the gasket, in the holes on the trim and into the a-pillar post. correct??  Would like to see some pictures so i get mine right.

That's the way mine was installed.... The screws on the a-pillar too where just screwed in without removal of the door seal track. You can see the scratch marks from the screw on the track as they screwed them in. I found Geno's thread and the deflector part is on page 73... Scroll down towards the bottom.... I would "assume" 500's were the same.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,48725.1800.html

[XS29LA47V21]

My observations on two original cars as ref is the rubber seemed just pushed aside, bulged slightly at the screws, not cut.

mmmm 500s

[pettybird]

between that goopy crap and the hidden screws it's a LOT nicer to have a 'bird.

[held1823]

between that goopy crap and the hidden screws it's a LOT nicer to have a 'bird.

au contraire, mon frère

nothing screams tacky,  quite like two screwheads in the middle of a smooth polished surface

(i tossed some french in there, in acknowledgement of the sports car folks)

[hemi68charger]

between that goopy crap and the hidden screws it's a LOT nicer to have a 'bird.

That just makes it look like a run-of-the-mill production car, not something CREATED for a purpose...   

[hemi68charger]

My observations on two original cars as ref is the rubber seemed just pushed aside, bulged slightly at the screws, not cut.

mmmm 500s

Well, I wouldn't be surprised in learning 500's didn't have the sealer applied like the Daytona. Probably the Daytona generation learned from the mistakes of the 500....... But the thread should help in illustrating how the deflectors where installed nonetheless......

[Highbanked Hauler]

   Mine looks to have had the molding set in place and the holes drilled then loaded up with what used to be known as ribbon calk.

[RallyeMike]

Hemigeno's appear to be re-installs in that thread. I guess if anyone with an unmolested 500 car could post a couple of photos it would be helpful to have archived on this site. I'd like mine to look at least somewhat close to the original installation.

Good point made that the 500's may have been installed differently than the Daytona's (and for that matter, maybe even evolved during the 500 run?).

Appreciate the feedback so far. 

[nascarxx29]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,20786.0.html

[pettybird]

between that goopy crap and the hidden screws it's a LOT nicer to have a 'bird.

au contraire, mon frère

nothing screams tacky,  quite like two screwheads in the middle of a smooth polished surface

(i tossed some french in there, in acknowledgement of the sports car folks)

Funny, funny...making fun of my Euro trash...



Take a good look at damn near any picture of a race Daytona's moldings...form follows function.  We're just more race prepped than you 

[RallyeMike]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,20786.0.html

OK. Maybe I will deviate from the "good" factory installation. Thanks.

[hemigeno]

I bought a set of Daytonalo's trim and think they look great, I just want to know the proper look when installed. 

If I'm not mistaken, Larry (daytonalo) made his trim without tabs for the inner screws - the ones that would go through the rubber.  The way he explained it, he didn't want to mess with this very part of installing these mouldings... having to run screws through the windshield moulding into the A pillar.  I think he said that after the screws are installed on the back side, the front edge pushed up tight between the lock strip/moulding, and with the "ribbon caulk"/mastic strip (or whatever you want to call it) in place, the installation seemed secure enough for his tastes.  In other words - with a set of Larry's mouldings, you won't be able to actually install them the same way the factory did.  You'll have to find out or decide for yourself if that's a good thing.

I never did get around to posting many closeup photographs of my car's goobered up sealant installation.  If it's of use to anyone, I'll do so - although you can get the gist of what's there from the photos already posted.

[hemi68charger]

I know Danny would have some input since he has pictures of a lot of C500's.........

[nascarxx29]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,20599.0.html

[69_500]

Here are some pictures of UNRESTORED 500's. All very low miles, and none of these cars have ever had their front glass removed. Starting with the first HEMI 500, to another very early HEMI 500, going on to yet 2 more unrestored HEMI 500's. I didn't find a good shot of an unrestored 500 that wasn't a HEMI sorry.

First three pictures are of 110610 car. First production 500.

Fourth picture is of another very early HEMI 500. Less than 16,000 miles on car.

[69_500]

Next two pictures are of other 500's.

First one is of a HEMI 500 with 6,800 miles on it.

Last one is of a HEMI 500 with less than 2,000 miles on it.

[69_500]

If you look at them they all appear to have had another layer of the buytl on top of the screws. The first car I posted 3 pictures of looks like most of that top layer is now gone but you can still see parts of it on the edge of the moulding. The second car I posted a picture of still has the entire layer on it from top to bottom and its applied in same fashion as Daytona's very messy. Third car I posted a picture of also has it from top to bottom very messy going up and down. The last one is by far the neatest one I have ever seen. There is a second layer over the tops of the screws, but it is trimmed up very neatly and is very clean from top to bottom. I had to shrink all photo's down to 12% of there size to post but in full size pictures you can clearly see it.

[RallyeMike]

Perfect. I appreciate the detail. I will be adding another layer of material but doing a reasonably neat job of it. Thank you!

[69_500]

The black car honestly the only C500 or Daytona that I have seen with such a neat layer on it.

[pettybird]

I didn't find a good shot of an unrestored 500 that wasn't a HEMI sorry.

#aerocarproblems

[hemi68charger]

If you look at them they all appear to have had another layer of the buytl on top of the screws. The first car I posted 3 pictures of looks like most of that top layer is now gone but you can still see parts of it on the edge of the moulding. The second car I posted a picture of still has the entire layer on it from top to bottom and its applied in same fashion as Daytona's very messy. Third car I posted a picture of also has it from top to bottom very messy going up and down. The last one is by far the neatest one I have ever seen. There is a second layer over the tops of the screws, but it is trimmed up very neatly and is very clean from top to bottom. I had to shrink all photo's down to 12% of there size to post but in full size pictures you can clearly see it.

Thanks Danny, I knew you'd have the answers........ 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

From my C500...