MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Does anyone know a good source of the seals (and other hardware) for the Snug Top hard tops?
I'm staying on the road this winter in NE, just reconditioned and reinstalled my heater w/new hoses, cables, seals, air ducts, etc.
Or if I'm unable to find "actual" replacement seals, has anyone ever used the one sided sticky weather stripping type seals. I was thinking maybe the 1 inch width applied all around the edges with the body.
Need to horn in here a little.
Have a "factory" top on a car in the shop and already have the rubber stuff from Canada, but the metal trim is not good. Does anyone have a source for the metal stuff, particularly the parts that runs across the top of the window opening and curving down to the body level behind the side window.
Sorry Albert, but your headline seemed just right to be catching this sort of information. If it helps, I need the same information as you do for a Snug Top too. :-)
Thanks Jack
Please do, join in, sir!
The Roadster Factory has a very complete line of factory top hardware. I didn't read the availability on each item, but their diagrams show what appears to be everything.
I have since found that McGregor, from Ontario offers a lot of Factory stuff AND the Snug Top rear body seal and side glass seals. Their prices seam high, (rear body seal $150) for example, but if it does the job...
Al
I was just going to type about McGregor.... I searched around, and so far they are the only ones I found that have replacement seals for the SnugTops. Pehaps that is why they can charge a premium?
I have to get those seals myself.. but have been going back and forth on weather I want to spend the coin. My luck , I will wait to long, they will go out of business or stop selling them, then I'll cry that I "shoulda' got it when I had a chance"....
Perhaps I should order them before that happens ;)
I was shocked at the prices for rubber seals. I bought a fair hardtop for my spitfire. A headliner plus most of the seals was over $500.
I therefore had $800 in the top without paint. Gag.
It would have been $1,500-2,000 if I had paid someone to do it.
It greatly improved the car though. I never take it off.
McG in Canada seem to have the best stuff, and perhaps the only, as far as the rubber goes. My customer ordered his from there and it took forever to make the order and then another forever to get it.
What I need most of all now is the trim hardware stuff.
Thanks Albert for the tip on The Roadster Factory. I'll call them later today.
Jack
Since we are talking about hardtops, I still need to find a source for the rubber bits for a factory Midget hardtop if any one knows of a sourcce.
I have to apologize, I am on the road, and can't access the catalog that is packed away for the name and address. I believe I posted it last fall on a thread similar to this.
I bought a $100 SnugTop from a guys back yard and the seals were shot. Pricing McGregor seals I almost had a heart attack. I went to the local upholstery shop and asked about sources for seals, and he gave me a 3-4 year old catalog (the one I can't put my hands on now) with generic rubber seals and gaskets.
I spent about $50 total for all but the windscreen seal (I used the seal for a soft top there, NorthWest Imports).
My point is, if it is a driver, and authenticity is not the issue, the generics are close enough to work well. Jack and Hap both saw my hardtop, and I doubt that either of them thought "wrong seals on the hardtop" and those two kinda know their way around these cars.
Perhaps a casual visit to the local auto upholstery shop with a six-pack of cold ones can get the catalog of one of these companies.
It is prolly fairly easy to Google "special interest auto, rubber gaskets and seals, door moldings and window trim" and find a couple dozen resources.
Have fun
Albert,
I contacted Snugtop and the referred me to this web site. Hope this helps.
Mike
http://www.trimlok.com/rubber_seal.aspx
The Roadster Factory bought the rights and tooling for the factory hardtop about 10 years ago. They were going to start reproducing the factory hardtops but lack of financing stopped the project. They do carry a fair amount of replacement parts though. RAY
I've got a catalog of rubber seals / gaskets at the house that I've been meaning to look through to see if I can find something that will work on my snugtop. I believe the name of the company is Steele Rubber Products.
