MGB: GT glazing rubber source

Eventually I will be R+R the glass on my GT to paint (a while off, but thinking about it lately..doesn't everyone!)

Was wondering where to get the glazing rubber, lock strips, and seals for the windscreen and back hatch. Is the moss stuff OK, or should I get it from Macgregor (or somewhere else)

I just know I am tired of crappy fitting parts and want to minimize the pain of R+R the glass!

I haven't put one in in about 10 years, but the Moss one was fine then. It comes looking too large but compresses when you install it. Many people don't seem to know how to install one.

I got all of the seals at Moss (About 2 years ago) and they were all fine. I would highly recommend you look elsewhere for the door seals though. The one's that Moss sells are a cut to fit and a major pain in the butt. Trying to cut the precise angle where the corners meet, was hard (For me) and they looked bad. You only get one shot at it. I got some on e-bay that were a one piece and fit great. Possibly the same as the ones McGregor sells...

PS Make sure you save your old seals that wipe the side windows (Attached to the top of the door). They need to be trimmed to fit.

The metal trim on the back window is a real pain. I designed a tool that will help. Its fairly easy to make one yourself, see below. Also, Get a roll of windshield rope from Pep Boys or equivalent, Its black sticky stuff that you should put a thin bead of under the lip of the glazing to insure the seal. If you don't use it, the back window will allow water to collect in the spare tire area.

David, how did you make that tool?? You are right, the trim is a major pain to install. I have 1 piece left to do (Lower windshield).

Do not buy VIC Brit rubbers for the windshield unless you lke the no chrome strip look to your GT. I have never gone wrong by buying McGregor and gone wrong many times by thinking I could save money elsewhere.

Pete

I used the VB rubber on the front and had no trouble at all. It fit good but the finish was a little off where it was molded. But the fit was fine.
The trim was a bit of a pain. I found that the hard part was getting it started after that it went ok. I made the start easier by compressing the end of the strips. After installation I pushed it back down with a rubber hammer, just don't hit to hard.

Just replaced my rear window on the GT.
Moss part fit fine - it does compress a lot when installed.

Used a trick with nylon cord to get the window and the chrome trim in.
Went in pretty easy - can post pictures/method if you need.
Tool that David made looks like it would be useful as well.

Bill,

Yes, please post pics and/or give explanation of the "nylon cord trick" for installing the chrome windshield and backlight trim.

Thank you.

Steve

Thanks, great. Apprciate the feedback. Nothing worse than ill fitting parts on a hard project.. good to know the moss one is up to par

Gary and Paul - where is this McGregor that you mention?

Hope the photos help.

Step one: lots of soap in seal and on cord (nylon or cotton - Home depot masonry/level string works).

2. Press cord into one side of seal. I found the glass/inside side worked better than outer side. I used a plastic window screening wheel tool to get it in there.

3. Place chrome trim flange in opposite side of seal so it is in on the top and overlaps seal on the bottom.

4. With gentle pressure down on the chrome, carefully pull the cord out of the seal. As you pull it out it will flip the seal out and over the flange of the trim. Push down on the trims as you go and it will seat in the rest of the way.

Caution!!! If you pull too fast or hard there is the potential that the cord may tear into the rubber. Work at an easy pace and never pull too hard. It helps to have a plastic putty knife in the more difficult areas and corners to help move the seal a bit.

Still takes some time. I was able to install the rear trim on the GT in about an hour - I am moving onto the windshield this weekend.

Whoops, one more photo...

Well - This is another "Follow This Thread" thread.

Gary, I made it from scrap parts I had lying around. But, I like Bills suggestion with the nylon string. Thats the way I used to install and remove VW bug windshields 20 years ago. I hadn't even thought to use it on the MG but I'm sure it will be much easier then my tool.

That's how to install the glass for sure; you can use it for the chrome strip too??

I did it for both.

TCSkip, did you find installing the trim on the windshield as easy as for the hatch? I installed the trim about a year ago with a hook sort of tool. I found the rear glass was a piece of cake, but the windshield about ten times as hard. I think the curvature of the glass may have been a factor. If I ever do another GT I may want to try your method. Thanks

Windshield in and went pretty easy.

I do NOT recommend using the cord trick on the upper corner trim pieces.
Ended up cutting into the rubber.

For the straight pieces it worked great. Took me longer to get the upper left corner in than all the straight pieces together.