targa windshield frame seal modification?

[jkeyzer]

In searching the archives I see that apparently the new Targa windshield frame seals need to be modified to work properly on the early cars. (To keep the top from sitting too high, is it???) However I can't find the original post or article describing the mods. Does anyone have this handy?

My clue was that the new seal looks physically different than the old one - the new seal has a V channel on top while the old did not. Because of this I am not sure how to mount the thin metal plates that sit on the windshield frame and support the top. Under the V? Over one edge of the V channel? Pictures/tips welcome.

This is for my 72 which until today still had the original seal installed. (And despite its bad condition it would NOT come out easily!!)

Thanks in advance.

[Leland Pate]

I don't have the link off hand, but there is a fellow who specializes in Targa Tops, his name is Dan Patchel (sp?)
His site is www.carsinc-nj.com

On his site he describes how in '85 the factory superceded the older windshield seal and how much material needs to be shaved off of the channels to make it fit properly.

I'll try to find his site.

[Leland Pate]

Well darnit,
Looks like he has downsized his site considerably.
I know there used to be a section that talked about the windshield weatherstripping.

You could email him and i'm sure he'd get back to you.

[jkeyzer]

Thanks for the URL Leland, I just shot him an e-mail. We'll see what comes back.

I am hoping to get this right before I start gluing as the seal looks like a real pain to install.

(Before you ask, yes, it's late here! )

[davis911s]

I just sent you Dan's article on trimming the seal, I hope it helps.

Shawn

[jkeyzer]

Shawn -

Thanks. Dan also got back to me this morning.

Sounds like major surgery.

[jkeyzer]

Has anyone on the BBS actually done the modifications and had success?

[jriera]

I did the modification .... and failed (yet once again!)

Then I order one (modified) from Dan and did not fit very well either.. I just need to find the time (and patience) to do it.. but so far the weather during weekends have been too good to spend any time trying to fix the top..

regards

Jordi Riera
73.5 911T (targa)
Richardson, TX

[jkeyzer]

Did the targa side seals also change at some point? It seems like my side seals are not compatable with the new style of front seal.
My side seals run the length of the top and have no flat ledges at the front end. This keeps the top from sitting properly because the side seal gets in the way!

Do the seals that wrap around the bottom of the doors also need to be replaced to properly catch the water from the top front seal?

[jkeyzer]

Can anyone with a Targa take a look at the pictures above and let me know if the top picture looks right? It is the targa top resting (not closed fully) on top of the windshield frame seal - the point at which the Targa side seal meets the windshield frame seal looks conspicuous. It causes the top to sit too high when closed because of the interaction between the two seals.

Edit - I think I answered my own question - I found a thread which discusses how the side seals changed at some point and the old style don't interface correctly with the new front seal.

What a nightmare this has turned into!!!

If anyone knows where a correct style front seal can be obtained (even used if it's in one piece!), PLEASE let me know. I can't live with this mess! Are the 65-69 seals a better match??

[Tacoma911]

Shawn (Davis911s)
Could you forward to me the Dan Patchell article about modifying the new style front Targa seal to fit the SC's. I have tried most every thing else to get the top front edge to fit better so I guess its on to cutting or grinding the seal itself.
Thanks, Bill