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Weatherproof seal

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AUSMHLY

AUSMHLY

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Did Healeys, I have a 64 BJ8, come from the factory with weatherproof seal between the fenders and central/back shrouds? I am getting ready to paint the car and wondering how to install the weatherproof seal. I've read that to keep the stainless steel bead from scratching the paint, to put electrical tape over the tabs. But when and how do you put the weatherproof seal in? Looking forward to comments. Thank you, Roger
 
Hi Roger,
To my knowledge, no seal, just the steel bead anchors. Most folks try to get very good paint coverage, primer & top coat, of the mating flanges to prevent electrolysis between the steel & aluminum. This was a weak point in the original design. The aluminum usually corrodes away first. This is the main reason that Healeys are allergic to salt from winter roads.

A weather proof seal might have some merit. What are you using?
D
 
Yes Ausmhly, there is such a seal and I believe Moss stocks them. However, I have rarely seen them installed on any of the cars.---Keoke
 
Dave, Keoke, thank you. Do you guys have the seal?

Maybe a poll here. How many of us used a seal or not?

If I do not use a seal, like Moss sells, should I be concerned about water leaking into the car?
 
Now that I think about it, a seal can never keep some water from getting into the joint. At least with no seal, whatever water gets into the joint can get out easier.

I don't have a seal & have never seen a Healey with seals. I suspect that it will trap more water than it keeps out. I rely on very good paint coverage of the joining surfaces & keep the under side clean. The problem usually starts with a layer of dirt preventing the water from getting out of the joint.

In any event, the joints in question have no connection with the interior so they shouldn't have any effect on water getting into the car.
D
 
Ausmhly, I just took a look at the latest Moss Wholesale catalog and they do not appear in there any more, of course Moss has dropped a lot of hardware items over the years. I got the impression when I saw them advertised that they were either Felt strips ,not recommended,or cut to shape roofing paper. The cost which at that time was about $50.00 turned me off and as I have said I have rarely seen a filler material used in any of the cars.---Keoke
 
Keoke & Ausmhly,
The anti-corrosion joint strip is still sold by Moss, (latest catalog Page 121 or page 111, item 858-205). I am in the process of having my BJ8 repainted and the body shop that I am using has ordered one. While not a frame off restoration, the wings (fenders), doors, hood and trunk have been removed and the whole car is being striped to bare metal, coated with DPLF epoxy primer, then coated with K36 surfacer, block sanded, additional coats of K36, sanded and finally given the DBC basecoat, then a clear coat, color sanded or buffed. I assume the anti-corrosion strip will go between the fenders and the shrouds. If there is a good reason not to use the strip, please let me know. Was one used when the cars came from the factory? It would seem desirable to keep the aluminum and steel separated to avoid electrolysis.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif Shorn, you are on for a pint mate. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Yep, I found them, must be blind in one eye and can't see out of the other. However, I have no documentation that asserts it was installed at the factory.---Keoke
P.S. let us know what the material is and how they installed it-OK
 
[ QUOTE ]
Did Healeys, I have a 64 BJ8, come from the factory with weatherproof seal between the fenders and central/back shrouds?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think the fenders came with any weatherproof seal from the factory. When I put mine back together I decided against using any tape or weatherstrip chaulking (dum dum) in this area because I didn't want to trap water in the joint. I also thought it would be complicated because of the way the fender beading attaches and needs adjustment during assembly. I think with layers of primer and paint that it will be far better protected than it was from the factory (where the paint coverage was minimal in many areas).

I did use dum dum on the shroud areas where it attaches to the chassis. This was to seal the interior from engine fumes, seal the demister vent area and seal the trunk from water. These areas were sealed by the factory and were simple to redo during the assembly process.

Cheers,
John
 
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