Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I am looking for a source of the '55 Clipper Tail Light to Body Gaskets and Back-up Light Gaskets. Tail Light Lens gaskets too. Any thoughts?

Looking at the offerings from Max, Kanter and Steele, it appears the 54-55 Clipper tail light gaskets have not been reproduced. All list gaskets for senior style lights but not the Clipper style.

You may need to resort to strips of universal mounting pad or filler material which would probably need a bit of custom work and trimming so as to bend and lay flat between the fender and light assy. Once installed with the light hiding all but the edge I doubt many would be able to tell it is not stock. You might check thru Steele's offerings for dense rubber extrusionssteelerubber.com/dense-extrusions There are some shapes toward the later part of the listings that might work.

For the lens gasket I didn't find those either. I have had luck making my own by purchasing a sheet of 1/8 thick non adhesive back closed cell vinyl foam and cutting to match the lens. Ideally a bit thinner than 1/8 is preferable but unless you get into high temp or special use foam that thin of sheet is harder to come by in an appropriate color and low price. McMaster-Carr sells all kinds of foam by the 12" x 12" sheet. I personally do not like the approach but others have had luck using adhesive backed narrow strips of weatherstrip material available at the hardware stores.

I just replaced the round foam gasket on the housing with McMaster:
1298N2 Multipurpose Neoprene Foam Cord, 3/16" Diameter, 15 Feet Long.
I used 3M super weatherstrip adhesive to attach it.

I haven't redone the lens gaskets, but for the front parking light lens gaskets I got from McMaster:
86025K42 Ultra-Conformable Light Duty Vinyl Foam Sheet Sheet, Ultra-Smooth Texture, 1/8" Thickness, 54" WD, 1 ft. Length
I'm still in the process of making the gaskets.

G'day Robert(cadfhtech),
Although you've been a PackardInfo member for some time, first post so

And I invite you to include your '55 Clipper in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Oops. I misread this as 56. Maybe because I am working on my 56 tail lights. I don't know if the gaskets are similar on the 55 so the items mentioned may not apply.

Thanks all for the tips. I thought I may need to make something. No problem. I did add this to the registry.

Robert,
for not only only adding
your '55 Clipper Custom Touring Sedan
but also your '55 Patrician Touring Sedan
and '56 Caribbean Hardtop Coupe
to the Packard Owner's Registry!