Tips on Installing Roof Rail Seals on 64 Hardtop

[rzcrisis]

Looking for tips on installing new roof rail seals on my 64 Tbird hardtop. Have purchased new from Mac's and do not want to make any mistakes as they were $100 a pair. When I look at the rails I am thinking I need to remove the interior chrome trim pieces to access the track? There seems to be a metal reinforcement in the rubber that attaches to the door jam. is that for a screw to hard fasten? Purchased the recommended 3m sealant/adhesive as well.

Any tips would be appreciated!

Randy

[my66cruiser]

Originally Posted by rzcrisis

Looking for tips on installing new roof rail seals on my 64 Tbird hardtop. Have purchased new from Mac's and do not want to make any mistakes as they were $100 a pair. When I look at the rails I am thinking I need to remove the interior chrome trim pieces to access the track? There seems to be a metal reinforcement in the rubber that attaches to the door jam. is that for a screw to hard fasten? Purchased the recommended 3m sealant/adhesive as well.

Any tips would be appreciated!

Randy

Hi Randy, I happen to have my '66 somewhat apart now and I remember when I removed my old cracked ones there is the metal tab with a hole in it. Mine was secured with a screw to the vehicle definitely in the front metal tab and if there is a metal tab in the back, then there was a screw there too. Some folks use rivets. I seem to remember the metal track that also was secured to the car with screws but under the track was a thin strip of black foam so the foam strip was first put on, then the metal, then the rubber weather stripping. Hopefully someone else here can confirm this. I took pictures so i know how everything goes back together but the pictures are not here with me now. This spring I will be putting the bird back together. I have much of the rear interior trim out and the roof trim, belt line trim, and Landau bars. I'm fixing some holes in my roof and repainting it.

[rzcrisis]

Hey...I was successful replacing the seals without having to deal with the mounting strips. Left them intact. It turned out to be an easy job once I removed all of the old rubber seal material and cleaned the mount strips..so left those intact. The metal eyelet for the screw at the front door post just needed to be cleaned out with a 1/8 drill bit and then the screw worked. It all seemed to fit well with the kit I bought from Macs. Once I had it in place I made sure the windows all rolled up and the rubber edges did not roll...left the windows up in place in the sun so they moulded to the windows and prevented any tearing of the new rubber...hope this helps.

Randy

[my66cruiser]

Originally Posted by rzcrisis

Hey...I was successful replacing the seals without having to deal with the mounting strips. Left them intact. It turned out to be an easy job once I removed all of the old rubber seal material and cleaned the mount strips..so left those intact. The metal eyelet for the screw at the front door post just needed to be cleaned out with a 1/8 drill bit and then the screw worked. It all seemed to fit well with the kit I bought from Macs. Once I had it in place I made sure the windows all rolled up and the rubber edges did not roll...left the windows up in place in the sun so they moulded to the windows and prevented any tearing of the new rubber...hope this helps.

Randy

Hi Randy, I am glad everything worked out well with your weather stripping. Good idea about letting them mold to the glass. Maybe I will use macs too.