Body General body information and techniques for restoration, repairs, and modifications.

Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 19, 2017 | 03:32 PM
  #1  
timpa04's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

Just removed my old seals and started installing a new kit:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/82-83-84-85...72.m2749.l2649

When pre-fitting the seals it clearly shows that it won't seal properly close to the center rail, in the front or back.
Am I missing something, is it possible to adjust the roof in the middle of the car as well?
Or should I get the seals replaced?



Reply
Old Nov 21, 2017 | 07:41 PM
  #2  
82tarecaro's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 15
From: NYC
Car: 1982 Recaro TA, 1989 TTA#948
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

What brand is that?
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2017 | 12:59 AM
  #3  
timpa04's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

"Stripeclassics OER". I guess it's the same as this one: https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/oer-10164133
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2017 | 07:00 AM
  #4  
82tarecaro's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 15
From: NYC
Car: 1982 Recaro TA, 1989 TTA#948
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

If those are OER, they won't fir for ****. Horrible product. Stick with NOS, Soffseal, or Metro.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2017 | 10:45 AM
  #5  
navy02ws6's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 68
From: Atlanta
Car: '02 T/A WS6, '91 T/A, '91 Camaro RS
Engine: LS1, LB9, L03
Transmission: T56, 700R4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.10 10 bolt, 2.73 10 bolts
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

Originally Posted by 82tarecaro
If those are OER, they won't fir for ****. Horrible product. Stick with NOS, Soffseal, or Metro.
Agree, 99% of parts made by OEM are garbage.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2017 | 10:51 AM
  #6  
John in RI's Avatar
Supreme Member
25 Year Member
Community Favorite
iTrader: (170)
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 459
From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals




To me it looks like the seal is not positioned properly in the body and/or the T-Top center bar channels. Doesn't matter what brand your working with,... if the seal is not properly installed - or can't be properly installed - it will never fit right.

Reply
Old Nov 29, 2017 | 02:53 PM
  #7  
QuentsIROC's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 5
From: WV
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 350
Transmission: 5 Speed
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

Originally Posted by 82tarecaro
If those are OER, they won't fir for ****. Horrible product. Stick with NOS, Soffseal, or Metro.
i ordered the metro's and have them, just haven't installed as of yet. i saw a couple reviews that indicated the t-top seals wouldn't work, they indicated the t-top wouldn't close, guess they were too puffy maybe. thoughts?

i ripped my old hatch seal off and the metro hatch seal for it seems like it's going to fit well.

What type of glue should be used to install the seals???
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2017 | 03:57 PM
  #8  
82tarecaro's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 15
From: NYC
Car: 1982 Recaro TA, 1989 TTA#948
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

Originally Posted by QuentsIROC
i ordered the metro's and have them, just haven't installed as of yet. i saw a couple reviews that indicated the t-top seals wouldn't work, they indicated the t-top wouldn't close, guess they were too puffy maybe. thoughts?

i ripped my old hatch seal off and the metro hatch seal for it seems like it's going to fit well.

What type of glue should be used to install the seals???
They may be a bit thicker then what was on there. I had to close my doors a bit harder in the beginning with the Soffseals. But they break in after a bit. To insall them, use 3M weatherstrip adhesive. Make sure you don't get any on the painted parts of the car that you can see.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2017 | 01:37 PM
  #9  
86IROC112's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 495
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
Car: 1986 IROC Z
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

Originally Posted by 82tarecaro
They may be a bit thicker then what was on there. I had to close my doors a bit harder in the beginning with the Soffseals. But they break in after a bit. To insall them, use 3M weatherstrip adhesive. Make sure you don't get any on the painted parts of the car that you can see.

Yes! My T-tops were so hard to get back on I was afraid they were going to break. Got them on there and let them sit a month or so and now they are great..
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2017 | 03:08 PM
  #10  
NCC-2569's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 547
Likes: 27
From: Germany
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

I think that gap between the t-top piece and the roof is extremely wide.
Is that center piece on the right way round? If so, then something's off, IMO.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2018 | 09:30 AM
  #11  
QuentsIROC's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 5
From: WV
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 350
Transmission: 5 Speed
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

To revisit, I've now installed all new metro weatherstrips in hatch, doors, and t-tops. Gotta say, all of them worked perfectly. Couldn't be more satisfied with the aftermarket strips knowing that's what they are, aftermarket. The t-tops are definitely TIGHT but I'm certain it'll loosen up over time. Doors close hard. However, that's what I want. Tight closing has to indicate a good seal.

For those that may do it in the future and read this, make certain to check the corners where the t-top seal goes down the front and rear of the door. There will be a hole between the seal and the body at the outer edge of the t-top, front and rear. I shoved a piece of paper down in the hole so the adhesive wouldn't run out the bottom, then filled the hole with adhesive. Put 2 coats of adhesive in the hole after installing the weatherstrip. Also, as indicated above, make sure to be careful when applying the 3M adhesive. I got it on a couple paint spots and it removed the paint. Thinking of apply this stuff all over the car next summer (2019) when we paint it to strip it. HA! I kid, I kid.

I definitely recommend the Metro weatherstrips.
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2018 | 05:50 PM
  #12  
NCC-2569's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 547
Likes: 27
From: Germany
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

The door seals will set after a while and your doors will close more easily.
Had to slam my doors shut real hard when I replaced my door seals.
Did you also replace the t-top edges? I don't mean the drip edge, but the weatherstrip part of the tops.
And how does the area towards the center bar from your first pic look like now?
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2018 | 09:49 AM
  #13  
QuentsIROC's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 5
From: WV
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 350
Transmission: 5 Speed
Re: Correct fitting T-top weatherstrip seals

Originally Posted by NCC-2569
The door seals will set after a while and your doors will close more easily.
Had to slam my doors shut real hard when I replaced my door seals.
Did you also replace the t-top edges? I don't mean the drip edge, but the weatherstrip part of the tops.
And how does the area towards the center bar from your first pic look like now?
i replaced both the heavy rubber seal and the outer rubber strip on my tops. they mated up with the aftermarket top/door seals perfectly as they were the same manufacturer and came in the kit, no leak issues at all and have had everything installed since back in March/April.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:07 AM.