356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

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Gordon Summers
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356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#1 Post by Gordon Summers »

I am renewing the door seals on my A coupe (T2, chassis number 106433 delivered in February 1959) and would welcome advice on the authentic seal that is glued on to the front edge of the door itself. The usual parts suppliers list for this model a V shaped seal with two lips (part number 644.531.903.00) whereas 'Niel's Book' on page 43 suggests that the same seal as glued to the rear of the door is also fitted to the front (part number 644.531.901.00) - in this case, there is no overlap with the two access hole rubber plugs.
I will be most grateful for any replies to this rather pedantic question!
Gordon Summers.
Guildford, UK.

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Victor Ingram
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#2 Post by Victor Ingram »

Gordon,
This is what is on my 55 Pre-a, BUT you have a 59. SO I looked up the numbers that the vendor gave you.
They do recommend the 644.531.903.00 for the front of your doors. and the other number for the rear of your car.
The 903 is stated as an improved version.
Hopefully some of the guys with a 59 can answer better then I can!!
Post some pictures it may assist us.
thx
Victor
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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#3 Post by Doug McDonnell »

Neil's Book is correct. The larger seal that wrapped around and has the ribs started with the B series. Per Brett's book on page 164 also.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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David Jones
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#4 Post by David Jones »

Doug, you say "B" series but I thought that was with the T6B not the T5B. Would that not be the same as the T2?
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#5 Post by Doug McDonnell »

David Brett doesn't specify when the newer seal started T5B or T6B just "first used on 356B's". I remember reading somthing about it in an old thread but can't find the thread.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

Jan Kolm
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#6 Post by Jan Kolm »

The double-lipped seal was introduced during T5 production and covers the two access holes for the front window frame bolts, so the VW-style access plugs are no longer required. My '60 has the T-2 style seal and my '61 parts car had the later style.
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

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David Jones
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#7 Post by David Jones »

I have 2 friends with very early T5 cars with single.mount trans. Both now have the T2 style seals. Are they correct? I think it may be very possible.
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
Cymru am byth
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Jan Kolm
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#8 Post by Jan Kolm »

Jan Kolm wrote: Sat Aug 15, 2020 4:31 pm The double-lipped seal was introduced during T5 production and covers the two access holes for the front window frame bolts, so the VW-style access plugs are no longer required. My '60 has the T-2 style seal and my '61 parts car had the later style.
I did find the original front seal for my '60 and it is the later, double-lipped 903 part, so the change took place before July 1960.
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

Brad Ripley
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#9 Post by Brad Ripley »

The confusion comes in the 356B Parts Catalog, illus 56, callout #31, page 436 where:

644-531-901-00 is listed for two pieces, this is the almost flat piece of rubber (and is used on the rear edge of the door as well)

and next line down, it says 644 531 903 with no qty listed, for the folded rubber piece.

There is no date or model reference printed on the page. I do not read anything definitive in the Johnson book on page 164. I don't know of any other documentation about these seals. I've always sold the -903 seal for late A thru C cars.

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Jules Dielen
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#10 Post by Jules Dielen »

My '59 D has the T2 style seal
Jules

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Gordon Summers
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#11 Post by Gordon Summers »

Many thanks to Registry members that have read my message and particularly those that have responded. The choice of front door seal remains a grey area but, although my car is a few months later, I am persuaded by the evidence in 'Neil's Book' and will go for the old type 901 seal.
Thanks again.
Gordon Summers.
Guildford, UK.

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John Chatley
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Re: 356A Coupe - Front Door Seals - Confused!

#12 Post by John Chatley »

Supporting what Brad mentioned, both my low mileage, 1959 Coupe (March,'59) and my 1959 Conv. D (May, '59) had the original folded front door seal
# 644.531.903.00 I saved them so I could duplicate the way they were mounted.
Since Neil's book documents an April, 1958 coupe, possibly the folded seal was fazed in later in 1959?
John
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