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MG MGB Technical - MGB Factory hardtop sidewindow seal

Has anyone found the proper seal or a seal that is very nearly correct for the sidelight windows on the factory hardtops for the B/C? I believe these were the Lenham (correct me if I am wrong) hardtops.
mwhitt

Mwhitt

What i did to get seals for mine was go to the local rubber supply store which sold windlacing (I believe it is called) for older style (70s - 80s) car door seals. This has the correct u shaped solid part with the soft circular rubber attached to make the actual seal. Not sure if that is clear. Anyhow they had many sizes and I tried them until I found one.

I guess a general auto parts store or motor trimmers supplier should have the stuff.
Grant

I am assuming that you are referring to the seal that goes round the door windows.

On my factory hard top, I am lucky enough to have the original seals (God only knows why they are still soft and pliable after all these years). These seals ARE different than the one that are used to seal the doors to the bocy below the window. Rather than being a closed tube, they are cros-section shaped somewhat like a 'C' with one edge attached and one free. the free edge face away from the window glass to facilitate the window glass sliding easily over the seal.

Although I found similar seals available, I have never found one exactly like the one on the top.
Richard Smith 1

Thank you for your replys Grant and Richard. The seal is the one that goes underneath the plexiglass window on the sides. I have been using the same windlace on the doors to go around the door glass part of the hardtop. I still have good seals on my top, but my son's top's seals are hard as a rock. I bought my set from the dealership back in the late 70's, (wish I had bought more) and now the original seals are nla. The header seal is the same as the top and the rear seal is available. I guess that a rubber supplier is the way to go. I had hoped that someone had sourced these to a part number.

Thank you.
mwhitt

MacGregor manufacture those. I haven't bought anything there but have seen lots of positive comments on this BBS. See their part no MGB-t-8 at CDN$59.00/pr

http://www.macgregorukcarparts.com

...Ron
Ron Bland

When I restored my hard top I couldn't find the seals. So I ordered a set from SnugTop just to see what I would get.

Once I got the Snug Top seals, I spent a long time figuring out how and where I could use them with my top. Managed to use the whole kit with some creative thinking. These seals have been on there for years and that includes the seal underneath the plexiglass windows (under the aluminum frame actually).

This has worked for me well.
Richard Smith 1

Thanks for the tip Richard. I will get some seals for my snugtop that fits a midget from them. Ron of Canada, thank you so much. That is what I was looking for and not only those seals, but also the rear seal for my hardtop on my MkII Sprite.

Thank you.
mwhitt

I have the 1969 roadster with OE hard top. When my side windows are cranked up, there is an appreciable gap between the trailing edge of the window and the hard top's corresponding fuzzy seal. Certainly enough to allow rain to enter the cockpit while driving or at rest. Moreover, there is a smaller gap remaining between the window top edges and the hard top's corresponding seals.

Is this the case with others who own the OE hard tops?

Another quirk of the brand or an individual problem?
g. kinslow

I haven't had ANY top on my car for the last four years, but as I recall I had a good seal. It is necessary to push the hardtop forward so that the fuzzy seal is in the right place and then fasten the forward clamps --- adjustment of these may be necessary.

It is also possible to adjust the position of the rear brackets (on the hardtop). The hold-down brackets on the side also have a little bit of adjustment in them.

If all else fails, move to California.
Dan Robinson

You can get a full set of seals fot the hard top from the MGOC
Tony Bates

Dan of San Francisco may have something there, but I have seen the June gloom! Also those epa rules out there and not to mention those gas prices! Whew! I have had my OE hardtop since 1978. It is made by Lenham. I was wondering if that is the one that you had there Mr. Kinslow? The works cars used that top. Anyway, is your sideglass stops adjusted to allow your windows to go all the way up without pushing the upper piece of rubber out of its place? There is not much forward adjustment to speak of on the top. I had checked several years ago with the MGOC and that seal wasn't available then, but sounds like that problem has been resolved.

Thanks.
mwhitt

Lenham... I haven't a clue! Checking the stops seems like a good idea.
g. kinslow

After I finally sorted out the seal issue on my OE hardtop, I tackled the fit on the car. I have achieved side window sealing but have not yet prvented the issue with the rubber block at the front quarter light. Only happens sometimes.

What I would recommend, however, is meticulously following the instructions in the owner's manual. One thing is for sure, though, and that is that the top is not designed to be on-off on a whim. Proper installation requires the proper fittings (the chrome brackets that replace the top frame bracket on the body and the 'L' brackets taht attach to the top).

You have to 'fit' the top to your car using stacks of washers (see owner's manual) on each side. More than likely the washer stack will not be the same on both sides. In the spring time I remove my hardtop and store it with the bolts and washer stacks in place in the bracket so that I always have all the pieces in the right place in the fall and I don't have to re-fit it again.

You will probably have to adjust both the angle & fully rolled up height of the windows in the door using the bracket adjustment inside the door. This adjustment is usually a trade off between fit and operability but can be done reasonable successfully.

Perserverance and patience is the key.
Richard Smith

Try this link

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/
Iain MacKintosh

I enjoyed this recent thread on the MGB Factory hardtop, thanks for the lead on http://www.macgregorukcarparts.com
and I have emailed them asking too.

I am starting to have to manufacture some angle brackets, and thought I would do one more exhaustive search after failing on first attempt with a local welding shop.

I am trying to replace the 4 rusted out small angle brackets that secure the plastic rear 1/4 window frame into the factory mgb hardtop. The little 6/32" phillips head flat screws are still availabe, but the angle brackets are now made from "unobtaineum"

anyone have ideas or knowlege on who may stock such a part, Roadster factory was supposed to have bought the hardtop supplies, but does not have these either..

of course, now that "winter" is almost over here....
at tleast I will be ready for next year..

thanks

Jim Fink
Chapel Hill, NC
jim@ncdm.tv
Jim Fink

This thread was discussed between 18/03/2005 and 26/03/2005

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