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Grey Windshield Pillar Seal

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HealeyRick

HealeyRick

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Anyone have a source for the original grey windshield pillar seal material that was used on BJ7s and BJ8s? All the usual sources, including MacGregor, only have the black stuff. I have a recollection of reading there was an American seal company that sold it (at pretty ridiculous prices) but I've searched here and on the Team Net archives and can't seem to find it.
 
From their main page, on the right you'll see a rare and hard to find parts cat. There's navigation on the left side of the cat. If you don't see it call them. They've always come through for me with new and used parts.
https://www.britishcarspecialists.com/
 
Rick, your saying this here stuff isn't it? See pic. this came from MacGregor. He told me this stuff was the real McCoy. Dave.
 

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vette said:
Rick, your saying this here stuff isn't it? See pic. this came from MacGregor. He told me this stuff was the real McCoy. Dave.
Click to expand...
I remember buying the seals from the Dealers and they were gray and a weave pattern and NOT fuzzy. Try and find a source for Chrysler 300 windlace(memory check-might be 500 windlace), but it had a weave pattern to it. Trim shops carried it.
 
RestoreThemAll said:
From their main page, on the right you'll see a rare and hard to find parts cat. There's navigation on the left side of the cat. If you don't see it call them. They've always come through for me with new and used parts.
https://www.britishcarspecialists.com/
Click to expand...

It's hard to tell from the picture whether it's the grey stuff or the black stuff. I'll get in touch.

vette said:
Rick, your saying this here stuff isn't it? See pic. this came from MacGregor. He told me this stuff was the real McCoy. Dave.
Click to expand...

Dave, if yours is fuzzy, it's not correct. The correct stuff is a windlace pattern like that on the top edges, except the seal itself is larger. You can see the correct material (although not the right size) at the bottom of this picture.

 
Patrick67BJ8 said:
I remember buying the seals from the Dealers and they were gray and a weave pattern and NOT fuzzy. Try and find a source for Chrysler 300 windlace(memory check-might be 500 windlace), but it had a weave pattern to it. Trim shops carried it.
Click to expand...
Check this out.
https://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=38078

 
HealeyRick said:
Anyone have a source for the original grey windshield pillar seal material that was used on BJ7s and BJ8s? All the usual sources, including MacGregor, only have the black stuff.
Click to expand...

Macgregor's stuff was called "Bristleflex." It was fuzzy. I never understood why he didn't make it match the original item. I didn't know he'd stopped making it, but maybe it was because it wasn't that original and so interest in it was not high. It always fell into the "better than nothing" category for me, and no more than that.
 
Editor_Reid said:
Macgregor's stuff was called "Bristleflex." It was fuzzy. I never understood why he didn't make it match the original item. I didn't know he'd stopped making it, but maybe it was because it wasn't that original and so interest in it was not high. It always fell into the "better than nothing" category for me, and no more than that.
Click to expand...
the BJ7 & BJ8 cars use a lot of convertible top/window seal material compared to the earlier Healey's so it would make sense to have the correct stuff. IMO, The amount of money spent on restorations would warrant a higher cost seals to "make it right" if pricing is the issue in manufacturing.
 
Hi All and Happy Hollidays,

I just looked up the BCS price for the BJ7/8 windshield weather/windlace and at $129.99 per 25" piece per side, I will find another way even though not concourse. Patrick had a thought and using pinch-on windlace in combination with a separate but attached weather strip, could provide one possible alternative. As far as using the same approach on the BJ8 top, I had long ago replaced the light-gray/off-white vinyl covering on the wood surrounding the side windows with black vinyl to make less-obvious the shrinking of the top (purchased from Sears Outlet and installed in 1971or 2) still in great condition. Replacing the light gray material covered window weather stripping with another color or even vinyl covered pieces would not be that dramatic.

Although I would like to remain as correct as possible, the price and availability of "Original-type" is starting to pass the limits of my practicality. Purchasing my Healey new was not an act of practicality at the time and over the years there were many practical changes I have made to make driving more reliable and pleasurable. Although all changes made, except for the 14 installed in-line fuses covering all critical circuits and devices, can be easily and, for the most part, inexpensively reversed (having retained all original parts), a small number of anticipated changes, like this, are starting to grow in and I am interested in planning for the eventuality before its time.

Just some thoughts on plans for the future,
Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
RAC68 said:
Hi All and Happy Hollidays,

looked up the BCS price for the BJ7/8 windshield weather/windlace and at $129.99 per 25" piece per side, I will find another way even though not concourse.
, the price and availability of "Original-type" is starting to pass the limits of my practicality. Purchasing my Healey new was not an act of practicality at the time and over the years there were many practical changes I have made to make driving more reliable and pleasurable.

Just some thoughts on plans for the future,
Ray(64BJ8P1)
Click to expand...

:iagree:



The words " two pieces" scares me. If the products are anything like the junk I got from Moss. I ended up just throwing it out. That's when I was directed to MacGregor.
 
RAC68 said:
Hi All and Happy Hollidays,

I just looked up the BCS price for the BJ7/8 windshield weather/windlace and at $129.99 per 25" piece per side, I will find another way even though not concourse. Patrick had a thought and using pinch-on windlace in combination with a separate but attached weather strip, could provide one possible alternative. As far as using the same approach on the BJ8 top, I had long ago replaced the light-gray/off-white vinyl covering on the wood surrounding the side windows with black vinyl to make less-obvious the shrinking of the top (purchased from Sears Outlet and installed in 1971or 2) still in great condition. Replacing the light gray material covered window weather stripping with another color or even vinyl covered pieces would not be that dramatic.

Although I would like to remain as correct as possible, the price and availability of "Original-type" is starting to pass the limits of my practicality. Purchasing my Healey new was not an act of practicality at the time and over the years there were many practical changes I have made to make driving more reliable and pleasurable. Although all changes made, except for the 14 installed in-line fuses covering all critical circuits and devices, can be easily and, for the most part, inexpensively reversed (having retained all original parts), a small number of anticipated changes, like this, are starting to grow in and I am interested in planning for the eventuality before its time.

Just some thoughts on plans for the future,
Ray(64BJ8P1)
Click to expand...
The Chrysler 300 stuff I got was made like most windlacing and not two piece. It lasted over 30 years. There's a 300 series Chrysler car, but not to be confused with the wind lacing I'm referring to. Best to email for samples. I think the price for the stuff from BCS is incorrect for one side. It wasn't that long ago that I purchased it. A place in Dallas, TX, Earl Owen, was where I purchased mine, 300 stuff. I'm going by memory here, it might have been 500 windlacing.
 
Hi Patrick,

Maybe I am incorrect in my perception but I thought the Windlace you suggested did not come with a seal incorporated and was only the peace to push onto the edge of a piece of metal for finishing. If my perception is correct, a sealing rubber piece would need to be fitted/attached to the windlace in some manor to complete the functional requirement. That is the 2-piece approach I was referring would need to be figured out.

You may be correct about the BCS price incorrectly stated in their catalogue and would call to verify before taking a more complex approach. However, their catalogue posted price is $129.99 per 25" piece and I would expect has been set by scarcity and market demand.

Ray(64BJ8P1)

Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
RAC68 said:
Hi Patrick,

Maybe I am incorrect in my perception but I thought the Windlace you suggested did not come with a seal incorporated and was only the peace to push onto the edge of a piece of metal for finishing. If my perception is correct, a sealing rubber piece would need to be fitted/attached to the windlace in some manor to complete the functional requirement. That is the 2-piece approach I was referring would need to be figured out.

You may be correct about the BCS price incorrectly stated in their catalogue and would call to verify before taking a more complex approach. However, their catalogue posted price is $129.99 per 25" piece and I would expect has been set by scarcity and market demand.

Ray(64BJ8P1)

Ray(64BJ8P1)
Click to expand...
I did more research and it looks like the part number is UG 500 and only comes in black. It is Uni-Grip style. Saw info on Keystone Grand Prarie. This type has the "bulb" with it. I'm sure they will send you a sample.
 
good morning rick. Check out the photos of the brg healey bj8 which mike gassman restored they are on his web site . In particular the one of the windscreen pillar seal and I doubt you will find anything closer. An exceptionally nice guy who may sell you some if he has it in stock. Good luck Chris
 
Clarke Spares was supposed to be making the correct profile bulb stitched as correct to the crimp on with correct style weave lacing. I talked with him a few years ago, it was down to actually making a machine that would sew the two together ( remember the crimp on or push on is a metal skeleton). He send me samples of the bulb and material /skeleton. It seems very do able if and when he makes the sewing mechanism.
patiently waiting,
Carroll
 
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