center roof support

[GoMangoBoys]

We are about to install the new roof skin today.  Is the roof supposed to glue to the center roof support in any way or should the support float separate from the roof skin?   I thought I read somewhere that if they were attached that you would see deformation in the roof.
Thanks

[anlauto]

They were never attached(welded) to the roof skin from the factory.

[JS29]

It's a foam that is placed in between the structure and skin. 

[GoMangoBoys]

@JS29  Any idea how thick the foam should be?

[dodj]

They were never attached to the roof skin from the factory.

Mine has what looks like about 1" diameter daubs of some sort of sealer between the roof skin and the 'crossmembers'.  No welds though. 

[HEMICUDA]

They were never attached to the roof skin from the factory.

Huh? Really?   That's not correct.  If you want to support the center of the roof skin like original from "oil canning", apply seam seal across the support before the skin is put on.  That's the last thing we do after the skin has been test fitted.

[anlauto]

I meant they were never welded (attached) to the roof skin 
There are some threads on here with pictures where guys have replaced their roof skins, with the skin removed you should clearly see what if any, the factory used for sealer or foam etc...

[JS29]

@GoMangoBoys  Test fit as hemicuda stated, that will give you an indication. Seam sealer or strip foam will work fine. The more flexible the better, they make seam sealer in strips also. 

[HEMICUDA]

I meant they were never welded (attached) to the roof skin 
There are some threads on here with pictures where guys have replaced their roof skins, with the skin removed you should clearly see what if any, the factory used for sealer or foam etc...

HUH?  Interesting, with the plethora of ebodies "you've" claimed to have restored, you've never seen anything on the center brace supporting the roof skin from "oil canning"?   Wow, all the roof skins "we've" replaced here at my shop always had material attached to the brace to support the center roof skin.   

[HEMICUDA]

They were never attached(welded) to the roof skin from the factory.

Funny how you back peddled and added "welded" to your post to cover your comment.  Anyone that knows sheet metal would know that any outer body sheet metal would NEVER have supports "welded" to them.

Just curious, why would you comment on something that "you've" personally never did as if you have?  You're misleading all our good members here that rely on quality information.  If you want to post and your not sure, send me a PM and I'll help you out with the information. 

[JS29]

AMEN to that! One should leave the bodyshop questions to be answered by a body man!!! 

[GoMangoBoys]

Thank you all for your input.   We got the roof in last night.   I used SEM 29372 seam sealer between the roof brace and the roof.   It was a pretty large gap to fill,  maybe 1/4" +.  This morning I checked it and it is pretty flexible.
Thanks again everyone.

[70 Challenger Lover]

@GoMangoBoys  when I did mine last year, I started a similar thread and got some good advice. I spot welded the perimeter and welded the four pillars. On the support, I used lots of seam sealer which hardens up and behaves a bit like glue but remains flexible. My original had something similar from the factory but they were small daubs instead of running the entire width.

The result was nice. Nice and strong. No oil canning. Couldn't see any seams or braces through the skin. I drove it hard enough after to destroy motor mounts and I never saw any roof issues from the body flexing.

[JS29]

  

[dodj]

Oil canning?