<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-CA link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Hi John, I did not change the top bow wood or metal, just replaced the plywood backing on it, so it the same top bow that fit perfectly for 46 years. Also, when I halved the thickness of the replacement seal, it fit perfectly again, so it is definitely a seal problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Still hoping someone suggests a good source for a replacement seal closer to the original.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Cheers, Mirek<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US> John Spaur <jmsdarch@sbcglobal.net> <br><b>Sent:</b> September 27, 2020 4:17 PM<br><b>To:</b> m.g.sharp@sympatico.ca<br><b>Cc:</b> 'Healeys' <healeys@autox.team.net><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: [Healeys] BT7 soft-top header to windscreen seal<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='color:#1F497D'>The top bow of a BT7 is a complex compound curve. My dad made one for me back in the early 2000’s. He was a very good woodworker but he had to make it twice to get it right. Don’t rule out the bow shape in causing the fit problem. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='color:#1F497D'>John<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US> Healeys [<a href="mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net">mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>m.g.sharp--- via Healeys<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, September 27, 2020 9:10 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'healeys' <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net">healeys@autox.team.net</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [Healeys] BT7 soft-top header to windscreen seal<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Hi all, I am replacing the soft-top on my BT7 and rebuilt the wooden header piece that secures the top to the windscreen. The rubber seal that goes between the aluminum strip and the windscreen is causing me grief. The seal I removed I believe is original. Although deteriorated in sections, it was surprisingly good in places, so I feel I have a reasonably good example of what was there. Also the ends appear to be molded in a curve to match the aluminum strip, as opposed to being cut as a replacement would be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>This (possibly) original seal was a solid piece of compressible foam rubber about ¾” wide and appears to have tapered in thickness, from ¼” to 3/16”, although this seems unlikely. I recognize that 60 years of compression makes exact measurement impossible and uneven compression may have made it appear tapered in section.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>The replacement I got was hollow and narrower. Compressed slightly, enough to just squeeze the hollow centre closed, it was ¼” thick. However, when I installed it, the top bow would not go onto the windscreen without a huge amount of effort and force, and I was never convinced it was on properly. The top bow always used to fit on the windscreen snugly and with ease in the past (I have owned the car for 46 years). I don’t understand this, as the new seal when compressed would seem to be the same thickness as the original, but “the proof is in the pudding” – it does not fit!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>To experiment, I cut the replacement seal to half the thickness, so it is now 1/8” thick, and the top bow mounted on the windscreen with ease. So the problem is the seal. However, I think 1/8” is too thin and it will likely leak.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Concours Guide, Supplement 1, page 5, provides a photo of a 100 seal, but it is silent on whether this seal was carried through to the BT7 or was changed at some point. Does anyone know?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Does anyone have any comment on the above, and more importantly a source for a replacement seal that is closer to the original?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With thanks, Mirek<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>