Know why the British Leyland went under !

[bighealeysource]

Hey All,
I now know why British Leyland went under years ago -
not because of the unions but they couldn't find anyone to
install the rubber seal on BJ8 windshields without them going absolutely mad !!!!!! I just attempted to install a new rubber seal and despite greasing that thing up enough to lubricate
the car and me ( used soapy water and armorall) it still
is almost impossible. Got it almost done and then the
end pops out of the chrome base and start over again. Looks
like I'll find some magic glue and glue that thing into the
ends. Just had to share my joy of doing the above task.
Regards,
Mike

 

[tahoe healey]

I had the same problem with the common source of seal. I could not get it on with any thing (soap, wd-40, silicon spray, even tried MT90). Sent it back and ordered one form AH Spares. The rubber T is too big on most others.It went in rether easily with liquid soap. It is still flat and secure 6 years later. If you streatch it puting it in, it may raise at the end curves and crack.

 

[Keoke]

HI Mike it is commonly known that those seals from some sources are too large to fit. I suggest you purchase another from Healey Surgeons that is correct.-Fwiw--Keoke

 

[stevebn2bj7]

I have never had a problem installing these in the BJ7, BN2 or the BN7. Got all of them from AH Spares. I believe Healey Surgeons sources a lot of their parts from AH Spares. FWIW.

 

[davidb]

Hey Mike

Thanks for the information. You're not alone. If you want additional frustration, try fitting a new rubber seal from Moss Motors to the vent frame window. It comes with a gun, so you can blow your head off after several unsuccessful hours of applying soap, K-Y jelly, wd 40, my wife's face cream etc, etc. The seal is just too darn thick even after it's stretched, but at least my hands are now clean and apparently softer to the touch.

I'll keep the Healey Surgeons and AH Spares references though, and see if they might have something that preserves your sanity.

Dave

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey y'all,
I died laughing at Dave's version of the Moss part. If I had a gun with me today
I would have shot the seal to put it and myself out of our misery ! I just
ordered a new one from AH Spares as have started doing a good bit of business
with them lately. Pricing is great but that Fedex freight is tough to swallow.
Still cheaper than Moss or VB and just seems right getting Brit parts from
them. Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions. As to Dave's hands
being softer after his experience, my Armoral has me shiny and new in appearance
but slick as hades !!!
Regards,
Mike

 

[bt7tricarb]

If it helps the taste of the freight any...

I ordered a few parts from Moss last week and needed them quick. Usually this isn't a problem as they would ship it from their warehouse in NJ (I'm in MD and notice you are in SC).

I had to pay for overnight shipping as the parts are currently coming from CA since the NJ warehouse is closed to move to VA.

While there are no customs charges with Moss, take some comfort that for now, the shipping is about the same distance (and price if you need it fast) to the East Coast.

- Dev
('62 BT7)

 

[healeynut]

Mike -

When you order from the UK, ask them to send it to you by Parcel Post. Much cheaper than Fed Ex and comes with international tracking numbers.

Nothing gets lost with them, and has the added advantage of not getting held up in customs as much as international Fed Ex or DHL shipments. I suspect the customs service gives favoritism to the USPS for union reasons.

 

[vagt6]

Leting the seal sit in the sunshine and/or heating it until it's pliable helps.

But it's still a pain in the neck!

 

[Ed_K]

I can relate to this ! After ordering four of these seals from different places because none of them would fit into the channel at the curves on either end of the windshield frame, I cut the last one on either end. Then I glued the ends to the cowl with 3m weather strip adhesive. It looks like crapola ! I plan on removing it one more time in the future after I obtain one of these from AH spares as is recommended in this post.

 

[Ed_K]

Hi Dave,
I would also have shot the seal but the ammo that I received in the box with the seals was too large to fit into my pistol !