Targa top 1982

ozzygus · 09-26-2012, 11:48 PM

Hi Guys, I was just wondering if anyone knows how to stop the air leaking though the front of my T top, I believe the rubbers were replaced about three years ago & they look in good condition, there's not much coming through, although I want it spot on like the rest of the car,
Cheers,
Gustaf from Australia

BHP231 · BHP231's Garage

Aah yes, the old targa top question.
I had this problem and replaced the seal with a new one a few weeks ago, only to find the noise was worse.
This is what I did...
Firstly, I isolated where exactly the air was leaking in by blocking off parts of the closed roof section with race tape. Once I found where the air leak was I took the roof off and with my wife's (not mine!) hair drier I heated the front seam so that it was pliable forced it to point further down.
Inside the targa roof are a number of wire "ribs" - you can feel them through the vynil. I gently bent these down as well.
The result is a front seam which when in place now points further downwards in to the "gutter" behind the top of the windscreen rather than seeing this front seam sitting more on top of the widscreen.
It is not perfect but it has vastly reduced the noise coming from the roof.
Some people have added a small profile stick on seal to the top of the main seal around the frame but I think this isn't the best solution.
At the end of the day it is all down to how much noise you can stand, and making the best seal you can with the fittings in place.
Hope this helps.

ozzygus · 09-27-2012, 03:43 AM

Yeh someone told me about the tape, not for me, Your method sounds like it could do the job, Cheers mate, I'll give it ago

javadog · 09-27-2012, 05:48 AM

The new rubber seals sold by Porsche are not the correct profile and they don't allow the top to fit properly in the front. If yours has been changed, this could be your problem. Aftermarket seals with the correct profile are available.

JR

Chuck.H · Chuck.H's Garage

Not the answer anybody wants to hear, but since my top is almost NEVER on my car it works for me. If I know I have a long trip and it's raining or blazing hot I put the top on and run a strip of low quality (ie low stick) duct tape across the gap between the windshield frame and the targa top; when I get to my location I remove the tape.. Nice and quiet all the way.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 339k miles

wearl · 09-27-2012, 05:03 PM

when i recovered my top i made sure the front and rear seams were sealing against the windsheild and targa bar. which means pointing down. made a big difference in wind noise. those 100 degre days this summer were good for helping stretching the vinyl. let it sit out in sun and it pulled right into place

Joeaksa · 09-27-2012, 05:50 PM

Dan is the guru on Targa tops. He has the ONLY front seal that will work on Targa's.

carsinc AT comcast DOT net

RSTarga · 09-27-2012, 05:54 PM

I'd aslo check that the front clips on the top are really clamping the top to the frame. They tend to get worn down and pop out causing alot of wind noise. I use Dans front seal and don't get much wind noise there, I get more from where the quarter windows meet the top.

hyperkinesis · hyperkinesis's Garage

Where I can buy the seal from Dan.. Dan have any website or store??
I have the same problem with my targa top from 40mph and up the noise is a pain...

NOLAsc · NOLAsc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

The new rubber seals sold by Porsche are not the correct profile and they don't allow the top to fit properly in the front. If yours has been changed, this could be your problem. Aftermarket seals with the correct profile are available.

JR

I am very reluctant to post this, and it may be removed soon. I wish Pelican (which gets pretty much all my p-parts business) had this repro seal. But one of Wayne's competitors, other than Dan at CarsInc, offers this: http://www.***************/seal-reproduction-targa-top-1970-83-911-front-for-porsche.html. I have purchased one for my car, but have not yet installed it.

Edit: Maybe not removed, but asterisked. The replaced letters spell a u t o motion dot com.

I like Pelican much better.

Shawn

Skip1 · Skip1's Garage

Vintage Porsche Parts and Targa Tops for Porsche

The chaps name is Dan Petchel. I bought a full replacement roof and proper fitting front seal (along the top of the windscreen) from Dan last year - very pleased with the work.

Joeaksa · 09-29-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip1

Vintage Porsche Parts and Targa Tops for Porsche

The chaps name is Dan Petchel. I bought a full replacement roof and proper fitting front seal (along the top of the windscreen) from Dan last year - very pleased with the work.

Hyper,

The above link is for Dan's company. He is THE expert on Targa tops and as far as I know sells the only correct fitting seal for them.

I just emailed him to chime in here and lend a hand.

BHP231 · BHP231's Garage

Guys. A lot of noise problems come from the position of the roof's front seam which can sit quite high causing turbulence and noise. It isn't automatically a seal problem. My new seal came from porsche shop uk and was identical to the original but I still needed to make adjustments to the roof which is in great condition, looks great and just has a front seam at the wrong angle in my opinion.

hyperkinesis · hyperkinesis's Garage

thanks for the help...I hope that I can fix that noise problem

cjannelli · cjannelli's Garage

Had the same problem. My Temporary solution: Saran wrap. Cut 2-3 lengths equal in length to the front
edge of the top, pop open the clamps and let the front of the top pop up. Roll the saran wrap into ropes and lay them in the gap between the top and the front seal. I used 3 maybe 4 , push the top down and secured the clamps. It worked great. This was done after a new seal had been placed.
Chris

carsinc · 09-30-2012, 07:17 AM

People have been chasing their tail with this seal problem since 1995. Solution is to get the proper sized seal from me. Thanks.

RSTarga · 09-30-2012, 01:31 PM

+1 on Dan's seal. It really works.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

+1 Dan's front seal.

If the two side windows and quarter windows were not molested by PO trying to bandage the issue it should fix the issue.

With the new seal, remove all of the old seal and any fill that may be in there then start at the corners and put on with out sealant using a water spray bottle once satisfied with the fit redo with sealant. I opted not to use sealant, no issues.

Take a before and after pic and you will see the top seat lower onto the front window.