I had the trunk lid off, but did the removal the wrong way - took out the bolts to the firewall. When I replaced the trunk cover I never could get the hinge brackets down where they were originally, the upward pressure from the springs was too great. I got close, but not exactly back down all the way against the spring. So, the front end of the trunk lid is now just a little too high when closed on the 88 GT body, Everything else is square, gaps the same on both sides, latch lines up, etc.

Too the point: Why in the world would the above described situation seem to make the trunk gasket seem suddenly and magically too thick? I had to remove the gasket to latch the trunk lid. Pushing down hard against the rubber gasket did not work. I did not want to use excessive force. If any thing, it would seem that the gasket would be a little to thin on the engine side of the trunk if the hinge brackets are a bit too high.

Now I know to take the lid off by removing the bolts that connect the lid to the brackets, not the brackets to the firewall.

I hope the advice is not to remove the trunk/engine lid again the right way, adjust the brackets back to original position, and then replace the lid the right way? I'm not sure I'm clever/strong enough to position the hinge brackets against the springs.

I think you'll find that if you remove the engine vents, you'll be able to loosen the hinge bolts & push down on the decklid with it closed - then tighten them in the correct position.
As for the rubber seal, it runs a couple inches *behind* the latch, so raising the front of the decklid could make it tight against the *rear* peice of rubber.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

just off tha drivers post, r the vents down right? i know it have problems with them not going back on the correct way. not tryin 2 insult u but sometimes something that simple is the problem.

Thanks! I like the idea of loosening/adjusting the hinge bracket bolts through the vent openings while the lid is closed - although, wouldn't the springs be more compressed then?