when I removed the old quarter panel from my 65 coupe, I found a thick black compound, like a piece of flat rope, that was squashed in place between the centre of the outer wheelhouse and the inside of the quarter panel. I presume it was placed to prevent a rattle as the clearance seems to be about quarter inch or so. What is that compound, and what do I use to replace it when I install my new wheelhouse and quarter skin?

bhawk,

My 69'SS had a foam type material in about the same area as you discribe. Between the qtr pnl and the outer wheelhousing. I think this is to prevent oil-canning or the large qtr panel from vibrating or moving too much. Believe it or not I used an old nurf ball. I cut it into the correct thickness (thicker than the actual area) and used flexible caulk to hold it in place.

------------------
FastSS396Man
Brian

Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396manflqtr3.jpg), Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396manflqtr2.jpg),Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396manrrqtr3.jpg),
Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396manint1.jpg),Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396manint2.jpg),Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396mantrunk2.jpg),Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396manfrchassis.jpg),Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396manexh.jpg),Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396manengine1.jpg),Fastss396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fastss396manrchas1.jpg)
69' SS396 Chevelle
L78 396/375hp
M-21 Close Ratio
Cortez Silver
10 year Resto
It's brand new again!
02' Harley FatBoy, Diamond Ice Pearl and lots of chrome!
ACES# 3466

thats an idea all right. Mine was more like a butyl caulking pressed flat. Any other ideas on what to use? I agree that something should be there to prevent the bending, flexing, in that area.