Targa door/window/seal/roof adjustment - should I start with a new header seal first?

[Otter74]

One of my next projects for the summer on my Targa is spending some time on door, window and seal fit. The doors are a little proud at the lower rear, they don't latch as well as they should, and while the top doesn't leak (!) I think the fit could use some improvement to address excessive wind noise and things like a large-ish gap at the top of the vent window frames with the top on. I have an online/PDF copy of the factory Targa adjustment manual and a pretty good idea of how to approach the tasks (including some while-I'm-in-there door work, like identifying and fixing a window rattle in the driver's door and fixing an inop mirror switch) systematically. However, I do wonder whether it is worth doing this at all without first replacing my windshield header/top seal with the correct (Dan Pechtel-supplied) seal. I know that alone will address a lot of the wind noise in bringing the front corners of the top down from being proud of the windshield header. I am sort of inclined to do everything else sooner and do the header seal later. But not if I have to re-do my work after I replace it.

[Discseven]

Otter... If roof corners are proud of windshield, am a supporter of installing new seal to start with. Having swapped a door (and all door components) in my Targa, and having stripped & rebuilt Targa roof, I can empirically confirm there being a variety of adjustments necessary to make roof and side window fit well. With Porsche manual... you're nicely prepared.

Door rattle might be missing silencer on lock rod. When that thing is gone... rod can vibrate/rattle off door metal. Silencer (holding rod) is present here.

[Brudock]

Hey Otter,

Could you share the PDF / Manual please?

I have some large gaps (8-10mm) at the top of my passenger side window frame, would like to see if I can adjust that.

Thanks!

[Otter74]

Brudock,

Sure - I'll PM you the docs I was sent.

Originally Posted by Brudock

Hey Otter,

Could you share the PDF / Manual please?

I have some large gaps (8-10mm) at the top of my passenger side window frame, would like to see if I can adjust that.

Thanks!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Otter74

I am sort of inclined to do everything else sooner and do the header seal later. But not if I have to re-do my work after I replace it.

+1 on Discseven's input.

You must get the correct seal. Dan Petchel sells them. Vintage Porsche Parts and Targa Tops for Porsche

Otherwise it will be a Porsche seal that is for the 964 and has to be carved up (retro-fitted) to make it work.

On the other hand, if your original seal has integrity, you have a fighting chance. You have to make that call. Don't do it twice. You will if you introduce a new seal into the mix after adjustments.

Pay someone to do the webbing. The rest is moderate work. Dan sometimes offers the job on ebay.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Otter74

I am sort of inclined to do everything else sooner and do the header seal later. But not if I have to re-do my work after I replace it.

+1 on Discseven's input.

You must get the correct seal. Dan Petchel sells them. Vintage Porsche Parts and Targa Tops for Porsche

Otherwise it will be a Porsche seal that is for the 964 and has to be carved up (retro-fitted) to make it work.

On the other hand, if your original seal has integrity, you have a fighting chance.

Pay someone to do the webbing. The rest is moderate work. Dan sometimes offers the webbing job on ebay.

"Moderate work" By this I mean you can do an average job and the top can still fit if the webbing is spiffed up properly.

German vinyl, not domestic.

[Otter74]

I'm not sure if my existing seal is original or if the PO (who owned the car 15 years) replaced it at some point, but it seems like not a bad idea to try carving it up to improve the fit first. If I succeed, great. If not, I just replace it with the correct part.

The top itself is, I think, fine - it was rebuilt by Dan about 10 years ago.

I am a little reluctant to mess with things because the top does not seem to leak at all even in pouring rainstorms, but looking at those door gaps and listening to that wind roar on the rare occasions I have to put the top on will drive me to it.

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

+1 on Discseven's input.

You must get the correct seal. Dan Petchel sells them. Vintage Porsche Parts and Targa Tops for Porsche

Otherwise it will be a Porsche seal that is for the 964 and has to be carved up (retro-fitted) to make it work.

On the other hand, if your original seal has integrity, you have a fighting chance.

Pay someone to do the webbing. The rest is moderate work. Dan sometimes offers the webbing job on ebay.

"Moderate work" By this I mean you can do an average job and the top can still fit if the webbing is spiffed up properly.

German vinyl, not domestic.

[hotaru]

Hi Otter,
Sorry I can not contribute much since I have same problems on mine too
But I would like to ask you if you can send me the adjustment manual
Thanks,
Stan

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Otter74

I'm not sure if my existing seal is original or if the PO (who owned the car 15 years) replaced it at some point, but it seems like not a bad idea to try carving it up to improve the fit first. If I succeed, great. If not, I just replace it with the correct part.

Dan posted carving instructions. Let me see if I can find.

I will tell you, without carving, it is very fat.

[Discseven]

^^^ Agreed with Bob. It's way to fat to fit. Aluminum foil pressed into seal channel can be used as a dimensional/profile guide. Foil is pressed firmly in channel... allow roof to make final press down. Then add some dimension... Perhaps 3/16". (I forgot what I added for compression.)

[Otter74]

Originally Posted by Discseven

Otter... If roof corners are proud of windshield, am a supporter of installing new seal to start with. Having swapped a door (and all door components) in my Targa, and having stripped & rebuilt Targa roof, I can empirically confirm there being a variety of adjustments necessary to make roof and side window fit well. With Porsche manual... you're nicely prepared.

Door rattle might be missing silencer on lock rod. When that thing is gone... rod can vibrate/rattle off door metal. Silencer (holding rod) is present here.

Thanks for the tip on the rattle - I will check that when I take the panel off. I do notice that I can quell the rattle by pressing on the inner door trim panel above the armrest with my elbow.

Originally Posted by hotaru

Hi Otter,
Sorry I can not contribute much since I have same problems on mine too
But I would like to ask you if you can send me the adjustment manual
Thanks,
Stan

Stan, PM me with your email and I will send what I have to you. I don't have them online anywhere so I can't provide a link here.

Originally Posted by Discseven

^^^ Agreed with Bob. It's way to fat to fit. Aluminum foil pressed into seal channel can be used as a dimensional/profile guide. Foil is pressed firmly in channel... allow roof to make final press down. Then add some dimension... Perhaps 3/16". (I forgot what I added for compression.)

Can you explain the use of the foil a bit? I'm afraid I don't quite get it.