• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!

    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

TR2/3/3A 1960 TR3A Boot rubber seal installation?

Tinkerman

Darth Vader
Offline
I want to install the boot seal and I see that it can be installed two different ways. Lip facing rear or to the front. I have a 50/50 chance of getting it right. With my luck I would pick the wrong way. Therefore my question is, lip to the front or lip to the back? Should I glue it in place?
I have some 521 all purpose adhesive that would be useable or should I use rubber cement?

Your thoughts greatly appreciated!
Tinkerman
 
This comes up every year or two and there is a correct answer. I can never remember from one time to the next what it is.

I will offer that I have never glued mine and it has never been a problem. I kept mine as one piece and simply turned the corners (joint at the middle front edge) though I have seen some who mitered the corners. One more thing to ponder.
 
This came up about a year ago. At that time I did not have the gas tank installed, and I tried both ways. Without the tank I could see the fit from the inside. With the lip facing inward, the fit was much better, although the flange needed to be modified to complete the seal. I used 3M weather strip glue. The present shape of the gasket is not quite like the old one I took out. Le
 
Check the fit before you glue it down. There are powder sprays you can buy to do this or just dust the lid where the seal would make contact with some kind of powder then close the lid and latch it. Lift the lid and look at the seal. Anywhere there is no or a thin line of powder on the seal is a potential leak. In those areas put a thin wire or twine in the slot on the seal mount to help lift it. Then recheck.
 
Just did this last summer, presumably the first replacement of the original seal. I replaced exactly what was there before. I agree, all seals point outward, this on a pre 60K car, that has a channel, vs. the later raised single edge.
My car had the seal in two pieces, like this... _
u

The one piece side / bottom / side seal I put it without any adhesive. The top piece I put in with a touch of glue in each corner. I used the TRF seal and was happy with it. The old seal nearly disintegrated pulling it out, but where it was attached in the channel with old adhesive, was a bear to pull out.

Hope I'm not too late chiming in...
 
Not too late, thanks for the chime!

Tinkerman
 
Back
Top