> From: Neil McAllister <neil.mcallister@fvrl.bc.ca>
> To: spitfires@autox.team.net
> Subject: Door seals
> Date: Friday, December 11, 1998 10:21 PM
>
> Hi all,
>
> I am preparing to install new door seals (which arrived today from
Rimmers)
> and would like some advice:
>
> Should they be glued in place?
>
> Do I need to remove the aluminium caps at either end (I hope not)?
>
> Any tips/hints?
>
> I also ordered the "A" post seals, not realizing that the door seals
extend
> up to the top of the post anyway. My "A" post seals look pretty good,
but given
> I have new ones, how should they be glued on?
>
> Thanks muchly!
>
> Neil
> 1980 Spitfire 1500 (Emma Peel)
Hi Neil and Emma
First, don't chuck those 'A' post seals yet...you probably need them
anyway. I can't say for a 1500, but some of what you are looking at is
likely the same as my Mk III and/or TR4/4A...both of which have been done.
In addition to the main door seal that goes all the way from the top of the
windshield around to the top of the 'B' post, there is also a second 'A'
post seal that goes from the top to the bottom of the windshield frame. The
main seal is a combination rubber seal/fuzzy strip with an internal metal
'spring clip'. This entire unit is simply pressed on to the flange around
the door frame with the 'spring clip' edges gripping the flange. To get a
good seal and finish at the top of both the 'A' and 'B' posts (where the
aluminum caps are), I removed a bit of the fuzzy material at each end and
bent the extra rubber material over to make a tight fit. I did not remove
the aluminum capping becuase the seal can easily be pressed tightly up
inside the capping. I worked from front to back and when I neared the end,
estimated the place where the final cut in the seal would be made, added
about 1/2" of material and stuffed the excess 1/2" up inside the capping on
the 'B' post.
The shorter piece of 'A' post seal is glued to the windshield frame between
the first combo seal and the door glass. For the Mk III, this rubber seal
comes in two thickness (thin and thick) but I have not seen any references
to indicate sizes or how you determine which you need. I guess you buy the
thin and if it leaks, replace with the thick...or, buy the thick and if you
cannot close the door, replace with the thin :-)
The TR4/4A had two separate seals. The inner was a fuzzy seal only and fit
like the combo fuzzy/rubber seal described above. The outer was a rubber
seal with a protrusion on one surface that fit into a metal channel all
around the 'A' post, sill top, and 'B' post. When I did these, I placed a
bead of rubber trim adhesive in the channel and gently forced the seal in
with a screwdriver...being very, VERY careful not to cut the rubber seal.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Keith
_ _
| \ / | Keith R. Stewart
| \ / | 75 Camden Road
| \_/ | London, Ontario
| 62 | TR4| N5X 2K2
| 67 |TR4A| Canada
| 70 |Spit| Home: (519)660-1916
__| |Mk3 |__ E-Mail: kstewart@wwdc.com
| | | | |
\T \___|___/ H/
\ R I U M P /
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