Header Seal..The new concept..

[lotusrepair]

Looking good.
Chris

[simonbuk]

Looks like a brilliant job !! So even the A- pillar seals are the cougar seals ?

[Steve A]

Looks like a brilliant job !! So even the A- pillar seals are the cougar seals ?

No (that would be too easy) they are very similar but not the same , Jamie also has to work his magic to convert them to A pillar seals

[simonbuk]

So what are the A pillar seals made from ?

[Steve A]

So what are the A pillar seals made from ?

The origin of the A pillar seal is not known, as it is similar to the Cougar seal I would have thought it came from a car with the same set up i.e. Glass closing against a seal without a surrounding frame, same as the Elan but a tin top.

[lotusflasherman]

So what are the A pillar seals made from ?

The origin of the A pillar seal is not known, as it is similar to the Cougar seal I would have thought it came from a car with the same set up i.e. Glass closing against a seal without a surrounding frame, same as the Elan but a tin top.

Subaru Forester and Impreza had frameless doors up to 2007 so glass closed against a seal. Was looking at my Forester's tailgate seal too..

[donsladek]

Folks,

It looks like Steve A had some A-pillar seals from Jamie N as a starting point. I believe Jaimie N is no longer manufacturing these seals.

Another rubber pair looking for a nice sponge free bracket to colonise, minty mint and super clean suaveness, uber cheap for LEC afficianados only.. 85 quid posted (they do double that on feebay!) .

[Steve A]

So what are the A pillar seals made from ?

The origin of the A pillar seal is not known, as it is similar to the Cougar seal I would have thought it came from a car with the same set up i.e. Glass closing against a seal without a surrounding frame, same as the Elan but a tin top.

Subaru Forester and Impreza had frameless doors up to 2007 so glass closed against a seal. Was looking at my Forester's tailgate seal too..

The only way you would know for sure is cut them in half and compare the profiles ( also Jamie could have modified the seal to improve it's performance).
I thought the Cougar seal was the same but when I felt it the density is different (that's not to say it could be used).
I do have Jamie's A pillar seals and I'm not about to cut them in half
I would imagine you feel the same way about your Foresters seals Phil

Waiting for the seal wrangler to clarify that I am talking bollocks

[lotusflasherman]

Forester front door window seals are only 20" to the right angled turn and looks like Elan needs about 23" on the A pillar. Better start looking for a Cougar....

[Steve A]

Forester front door window seals are only 20" to the right angled turn and looks like Elan needs about 23" on the A pillar. Better start looking for a Cougar....

I just looked for a cougar breaking on eBay, there's plenty out there

[chrisP]

Looking good Steve, I will try the Q-bond as the 480 doesn't work every time. I will be following your progress. Will your seal allow water to drain down the outside of the A-pillar or are you making it so that water doesn't even collect in the header rail? Also are you using a pair of Jamie's A-pillar seals to start with?

Chris

[Jamie N]

You are doing great Steve!, like you say the Cougar seal is different profile to the A seals, but well good enough to make a header seal, and the Cougar seal is readily available and you only need one which should cost no more than 20 quid from a scrapper, its the way to go!. I might have a couple of pairs of EPDM A pillar seals left if anyone needs them to make the conversion.

[Steve A]

I will be following your progress. Will your seal allow water to drain down the outside of the A-pillar or are you making it so that water doesn't even collect in the header rail? Also are you using a pair of Jamie's A-pillar seals to start with?

Chris

I am using Jamie's A pillar seals

Wherever the water goes is where I meant it to go as long as it stay's on the outside I'll be more than happy

[Steve A]

Here's the latest update on my quest to achieve a rainproof car with "proper seals".



Last week I was wearing a t shirt , today was body freezing as my garage isn't big enough to do this kind of work



I can fully appreciate why Jamie is reluctant to mass produce seals as no two cars are the same which is probably why Lotus went with the sponge filled seals
they may not last very long but they do fill a multitude of gaps.



The inside seal not only makes it all look tidy it also gives you a second barrier against the wet stuff.
When I release the roof from the inside I now get an audible whoosh

[simonbuk]

Looking good !! Good work...

[basher]

Hi Steve (Jamie)

It looks good and I'm going to have a bash myself. Just so I'm clear on this, you have put the Cougar seals on the header rail, which ones are you fitting to the leading edge of the hood?

thanks

Mike

[Steve A]

Hi Steve (Jamie)

It looks good and I'm going to have a bash myself. Just so I'm clear on this, you have put the Cougar seals on the header rail, which ones are you fitting to the leading edge of the hood?

thanks

Mike

Where in Essex are you?

[basher]

Colchester

[Steve A]

Have you got Jamie's A pillar seals ?

Is your standard header falling apart and/or leaking.

Your more than welcome to come and look at mine, as I'm currently SORN I can't meet you half way

[par]

which ones are you fitting to the leading edge of the hood?

thanks

Mike

I was lucky enough to get one of Jamies combined header & A pillar seals, think it was a development/prototype set but it fitted perfectly.

I used this seal for the leading edge of the hood:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FSE3G3U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It provides a good rubber on rubber seal which I have tested and doesnt let any water in but I do intend to adjust the roof catches to increase the clamping force and lower the front edge of the hood as advised by the Seal Master himself. I believe the under bonnet seal from a Toyota Aygo is also a good fit.