How to Install the rubber seal around the engine grill ??

[Jim Clement]

Trying unsucsessfully to install the engine lid grill.
I looked at Niels book, figured out the screws go in from the outside to the inside.
I can get the grill in and the screws lightly in place, but there is not enough room to get the rubber bulb seal in.
if i put the seal in first I am sure I will not be able to get the srcews in.
I did already shave the inside bulb part of the rubber seal.. . still no luck.
The first seal I tried was from IM the second from Stoddard, both are the same dimensions.

Any pro tips on how to do this.. ??

I am getting close to actually calling my restoration complete..

[Mike Wilson]

I put the seal on first then fit the grills (T-6 B). Prior to restoration, did the grill fit o.k.? Same grill?

Mike

[Martin Benade]

The screw orientation, you do mean the screw heads are against the grill frame with the tips entering the lid?
I’d put the seal on the grill and use a heat gun to warm it up. It will get much more cooperative that way.

[Jay Darlington]

I just did mine, its a real challenge to say the least. i was lucky in that my two outside louver blades were removable, the tabs broke off at disassembly i'll glue them in. we fought the rubber trying to get it in under the vent frame, finally had to file the holes in the vent frame to get the screws in with the rubber. getting the rubber to stay flat is next to impossible on the corners. the rubber seamed like it was about 1/2 in. short, it was a real stretch to get it around the vent then its to tight and rolls up on the corner's, used hot water. what i finally did was to use the rubber profile that goes under the chrome thats on the door top sill its a little smaller and seemed to work better but still rolls up some.
Jay D.

[Martin Benade]

Hot water helps but only for 30 seconds.

[Jim Clement]

Jay - yes, that is exactly the problem I am having.
Mike - yes it did fit prior to restoration, and yes, I suspect that the primer / paint thickness is to thick contributing to the problem.
Jay - I have already used a small file to elongate the holes but cannot get enough space to install the grill and then try and stuff the trim under..
I will go back to the install the rubber first method.

Jay _ is this the piece that you used, and how did you weld it together at the ends ?

[Jay Darlington]

yes that looks like the rubber i used, for a cabriolet single grill it was long enough to go around with 3" left. get the ends cut square and clean, alcohol or something and then use superglue just a dab on the very end.
Jay D.

[Victor Ingram]

JIm,

The door window seals are not very pliable and too big IMO, if it is blocking the screw hole, definitely too big.
Sierra Madre carries the deck lid grille rubber and it is one piece.
I would suggest putting it on the grille first, and gently push it in, lubricate it with a liquid soap.
In the PRe-A's the head of the screws are on the inside of the grille.

Hope this helps

[Jim Clement]

Victor - Thanks.
If I see correctly that molding has a bigger bulb on one side than the other ??
so the small side in and the large side out ?
or is it just the way you took the picture ?

[Victor Ingram]

Jim,

You are correct, small side in. For $11.10 its worth a try!!
Let us know how it goes.

[Jim Clement]

funny, I needed another part from SM that only they sell..
I will order both tomorrow..

[Victor Ingram]

Good luck!

[Bill Owen]

I just got two from SM. one was too big and the other was just slightly to big. W very difficult to install correctly. Design could certainly be different to work better

[Jim Clement]

yes, mine from SM were the to big type as well.
I was of te understanding that the profile was smaller on one side.. so you could put that in the inside.. it was not however..
The bulb was the same size on both sides..

[Jim Liberty]

Call Greg at SM. He is on top of these problems, and a real pro. ...............Jim.