Wheel well gap in the engine compartment

[dbran40112@aol.com]

Guys:

I have had my amphicar 12 to 15 years and am just now getting around to
restoring it. I am trying to focus on one part of the car at a time. With
the engine and trans out of the car, I am stripping the 4 layers of paint
from the engine compartment. While doing this, I encountered a rubber "seal"
filling the gap between the flat shelf on the top of the wheel well and the
inside of the back fender. I thought I would never get it out, but I finally
did. Of course, down inside the gap was full of rust and upon further
examination, I found that the rear quarter panels were totally rusted and
covered up by a bad bondo job at some time in the past. I was wondering if
that rubber seal was original, but I was told by another amphi owner that it
wasn't. Now the question is, should I replace the seal or properly repair
the rust damage and leave the gap open for "natural" air circulation?

Thanks for any wisdom you can share on this.

 

[Allan Woodcock]

I spent an hour or so at Hugh Gordon's shop a couple weeks ago and he
mentioned this "wheel well gap" and showed me what he is doing. Hugh is
filling the gap with Gluvit. I am new to the group so you old timers
might want to comment on this. Filling this gap seems logical to me as
it will no longer be a problem if it is done correctly. A site which
has Gluvit is:

http://www.marinetex.com/

PROGRESS REPORT: My car is down to the bare body with everything
removed. The rear quarter panels will have to be done to make the car
look good. I was amazed at how easily things came apart. Only one
small bolt broke off as things were coming off.

Allan Woodcock

 

[dbran40112@aol.com]

Thanks for the info on the wheel well gap. After working more on the amphi
on Saturday, I think I will talk to Hugh about replacement quarter panels. I
was hoping I wouldn't have to do that but to do it right, I think that's the
best thing to do. Is this a very difficult project? How is it done?