Re: Larry's 1951 Club Sedan Project

Posted by Larry51 On 2014/7/2 6:45:16

Today was "fit the windscreen day" - but not quite. The mobile windscreen guy arrived and we started fitting the Steele Rubber windscreen seal into the body. It soon was obvious that the rubber was too small, we needed around 2 inches more length on the run along the bottom.

Checked the part number and description on the plastic bag just in case, but it was OK as per the Invoice number and description. I had installed the rear windscreen a while ago and the Steele seal was just right, not too small or too big.

So what this means is that the front seal is poorly manufactured, it is just too small.

Installer has struck this problem a few times with other cars, and suggested we stretch the seal around the glass and leave it for a few days then take it off the screen and try it in the body again. It might stretch enough to allow us to 'struggle' it in. But it will prove difficult to do, being miles too small.

I have had a few problems with Steele Rubber products:

- Headlight gaskets were not even a close fit, the holes and rebated parts didn't match. So I made my own using sheet rubber I had.
- The gasket between rear of the hood and top of firewall is floppy because the rubber dowels don't line up with the holes. Big Kev also mentioned this in one of his posts a while ago.
- The steering column grommet is not same as my original, being much shorter so I have used the original which is in fair condition. I now have a $49 grommet that I don't need.


I have yet to fit the door rubbers and a few other bits and pieces, so here's hoping they are ok.

For the money you pay for these rubber bits I think they should be perfect in every way.

Monday is the day for the next attempt at fitting the screen. Wish me luck!