1800: Boot Will Not Close!

[andrew111]

On rebuilding this '65 P1800S, I have fitted a new boot seal rubber. On now fitting the lid and lock mechanism - the darn thing will not close. I can hear the catch just touching the lower part of the lock mechanism, but there is not enough vertical movement for it to fully engage.

I have tried the elongating the slots in the lock catch plate, fitting washers under the lid lock to lower it, compressing the rubber by placing weights on the boot lid. None of these have worked.

Does anyone have any ideas on what else I can do to get the thing to actually catch and lock?

Thanks

[volvonic272]

Andy,
I presume that it's the right seal . I have done mine same model/ year.
Having fitted the lid and got it level and good panel fit I fitted the seal.
On shutting thei lid it lifted the lid above the other panels.
However I did get it to shut.
From what i gleaned this is not unusual and that eventually the seal will compress, making closing the lid ebay.
My suggestion would be be to close the lid onto the seal and leave it to compress itself. This is no good though if you want to use the car straight away.
Have you tried warming the seal with a hair drier to soften it and try and close it. Then leave it closed for a while.
I don't know how volvo did it in production.

Dave

[TMC]

I'd go with Dave on this one. Our newly restored P1800 has a new boot seal from Brookhouse and at first it was really tight to shut, but after a few months it's eased a bit, so it may just be the seal.

[LMJ]

I have used silicone with a brush which will do new sealing rubber more flexible and smooth and help the lid to "glide" in to place.

[123GT-AMAZON]

Originally Posted by LMJ

I have used silicone with a brush which will do new sealing rubber more flexible and smooth and help the lid to "glide" in to place.

TRUST ME silicone and nothing !!! else will work the only thing that does the job is the Black 3M glue that simon sells the rest just pops off and makes a mess eaither way the only way i fit mine is with the black 3M job done and good for many years then silicone is the worst thing to use and it will peel off quick

hope thats helped kind regards
robert

[andrew111]

Thanks to all.
The seal is a new one from Simon at Brookhouse, and I have used the 3M glue from Simon to attach it.
Am not sure what you mean by silicone -are you suggesting to rub this onto the already fitted seal? If so what type of silicone did you use?

I will definitely try the hairdryer technique to heat it all up - and see how that does.
by the way - I have already cracked the newly painted finish on the bootlid trying to force it to close - so I will have to try something with a little more finesse.