Is there a "best practice" for a good taillight assembly install?
I'm putting the 122 back together after a bare metal repaint. I'm using all-new taillight assemblies. I may be expecting a too high level of fit and finish from my 47 year old car, but I'm not happy with the fit I'm getting. The seal pooches out or in where it's not meant to.
I'm thinking if I can somehow make up a single assembly (with the rubber sealed to the trim and lens before installation) I could install it without needing 3 hands to keep everything aligned as I attach it to the body.
I'm also thinking of setting the reflector in a bed of sealant to keep the trunk dry.
I can't be the only one dealing with this but did a search and didn't find anything. Any input is appreciated!

It's always fiddly to get the seals seated right.

Put the screws through the chrome and the lens. Put the screws through the seal, and pull the seal close to the chrome. Start the screws threading into the backing plate. Then gradually tighten the screws alternately while working the seal into place. A disposable plastic picnic knife can be useful for prying the seal out and pushing it into place, depending which way it needs to go.

Don't get the screws too tight, or you'll crack the lens.

If everything perfect, 3 hands...

If the tail light mounting area is the correct shape, you should not need any sealant on the backing plates.

Each backing plate is retained by 2 small sheet metal screws via 2 holes in the body. It is important that at least 1 of the 2 screws makes a good ground for the tail lights.

Then the lens is attached to the backing plate with 2 unequal length machines screws.

I hate to say this, but if there was any damage to the rear, the lights should have been test fit before painting.

I know it is a pain to test fit, but you get better results if you do. I have seen more than 1 car that had to be repainted because of similar problems, mostly Volvo 1800 where the front chrome grille surround meets the body.

I can't tell you how many times I have seen a crappy fit for the front surround on 1800 and all because the piece was not test fit before the car was painted.

Can you supply any pictures?
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

I wish I could - I've never figured out how to post pictures to BB!

To post pictures here on the Brickboard, I use the following technique.

I have a digital camera and I upload my pictures to my computer as opposed to using a phone camera.

Then I upload my picture to the web. I have access to a server, but I used to upload my pictures to the photographs section of my email account.

I then get the web address for the picture and then insert the address in the appropriate space in the following HTML sentence.

img src="PUT WEB ADDRESS HERE"

You have to put a < at the beginning and a > at the end of the sentence and make sure the web address starts with: http://







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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

I would put a rope of putty caulk under he seal where it contacts the body and see if that works, give it a couple of rain storms or a good soaking or two w/ a hose. If it works ok and isn't visible, leave it.