Converting from Federal Hood to S2

[SmilesAlot]

Hello ALL,

I have a 91 "Federal" Elan and have ordered an S2 hood. I am working on sourcing Falling, Intermediate and Header seals, but don't know which versions to get in order to make them work properly on a Federal with an S2 hood.

I've read through many informative threads but there seems to be a great deal of speculation without first hand knowledge or technical confirmation. Some say I need an S2 Header Rail and S2 Seals. Others say the top will work just fine with all the original style seals.

Has anyone done what I'm attempting to do? I'm willing to pay the (mind numbing) price for new seals, but I can't afford to get it wrong!

Help!

Pat.

[Simon_P]

Hi Pat,

The changes to the hood itself were to the "Gutter" area and making it wider so that it didn't leak as much - so it should go on any frame.

The seals were "improved" - I know that there was a change to the rear corner of the door seal where it abuts the falling pillar seal so look potential incompatibility there.

I'm working on an SE seals frame with a replacement S2 hood over the weekend so I'll try and see if I can spot any issues.

[SmilesAlot]

Thank you Simon!

One of the questions I have is, will the newer seals fit into my older style carriers? Or will I have to source the updated seals as a kit with their respective carriers?

[Jamie N]

I have a whole stack of old original seals, many headers, A pillar, Intermediates and Falling pillar seals all personally removed
from both SE and S2, to date I have never seen any differences in sizes or profile. Slightly different types of sponge material but
nothing else that would make a difference fitting wise. Not saying no differences exist but I've never encountered any.

As Simon said the door surround seal has a different top, 2 versions I know of but the interaction with the base of the falling seal
is the same in all those I have seen.

[SmilesAlot]

Great to hear you chime in Jamie. I've read several of your seal posts and appreciate your contributions to the forum.

Part of my confusion stems from looking at the SJ Sports Cars site. They post both pre and post M8181 falling pillar seals??? I wonder what the differences are...

[Jamie N]

The differences will be the bottom of the falling seal where it contacts the door surround seal, regardless of which version your Elan has, both are
very poor designs by modern day standards, the reason being those 2 seals actually rub over each other as the door closes, which
is the reason that area of the car often looks like a bomb has hit it with both seals split open and the sponge crumbling away.

I have never encountered any vehicle where the seals rub over each other like that on the Elan, seals should be landing directly onto
either glass, other type of smooth surface, or another seal, any friction between them, even with EPDM, will result in degradation before long.
The whole falling pillar and door surround seals need completely redesigned if you want a set up that is completely waterproof and works how seals should,
and also display the aesthetic excellence our wee cars deserve.

The design of the door and hood however makes that a significant challenge indeed.

[Rambo]

Jamie is a maestro and perfectionist when it comes to rubber. I have Jamie's A pillar seals, intermed. seals and the all singing, dancing joint header and A pillar seals on both of my M100's and I have been lucky enough in having the maestro fit and waterproof test them for me

[SmilesAlot]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I think I'll source a set of seals and, once I have them in hand, will use them as a guide to make my own seals based on Jamie's experience/experimentation. Rain in S. Florida is of the torrential type.... You can suddenly find yourself going from a sunny 80mph on the freeway to a 10mph slog through a waterfall. I plan on driving the Elan every day regardless of the weather and I'd rather not be rushing to position towels to keep everything dry when it rains! I'll save the '73 Midget I'm restoring for the sunny days!