Targa door seal

[DLewis]

I have three choices as far as I can tell to replace my door seals on my 69 targa.

Anyone have one that is the best?

1. is from Stoddards

https://www.*************/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/i/sic-531-093-40-pic1-stoddard-szabrak-harry_copy.jpg

2. is from International Mercantile

http://im356-911.com/images/M500A.jpg

3. is also from International Mercantile. It also looks like the ones I took out of my car

http://im356-911.com/images/M500.jpg

I will probably go with 3 unless someone has experience with one of the others and find it superior.

Thanks, Dean

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Not sure about those brands, but after reviewing the O.E.M. seal in our catalog it looks to have pretty good reviews. Checked a few orders from the past couple of months and there have been no complaints or returns on the product. It even comes with a 24 month/24,000 mile warranty for ease of mind if an issue arises.

Seal here for details: 1969 Porsche 911 S Coupe/Targa - Bumpers, Doors, Latches & Lids - Page 3

[RSTarga]

It really depends if you want good sealing or original specification.
The latest factory seals are much better fro keeping wind noise and water out.

[universeman]

The one from our host is a tubular profile with holes, which is not what was in your car and (apparently) was a design Porsche upgraded to, superseding older seals like #3.

I personally removed #3 (OEM/original I think) from my car and replaced it with the new design, and I'm not sure I'm sold on it honestly. I've had more leaks in/around my doors with it than I had with the original seals (at the very least they leak an equal amount)...and I think it made my doors harder to close but I'm not sure of that. If you go with the ones from PP, make sure you glue the ends to the A pillar seal and roll bar seal, or you'll get plenty o'leaking.

Curious to hear what you decide and how it goes....I was looking for that original profile, thanks for posting in case I want it later (I wish PP would stock that profile, hint hint)

[Jack Stands]

If originality is an issue, go with the one that matches your old ones. I seem to remember that someone suggested getting the coupe seals and cutting them down for use in the Targas ( though I don't remember the source) as the Targa seals might be a bit short. I need to replace mine soon, so I'm anxious to hear from others that have replaced their's as well.

[DLewis]

Thanks for the replies
I have head the superseded one make the doors harder to close, I don't need that.

Will order something next week and let everyone know how it goes..

Thanks, Dean

[universeman]

How did it go?

[HarryD]

I recently replaced my door seals on my Targa. I used the updated seal. I needed to put a short hose to connect the Targa Bar Seal drain to the Door seals and ensure that the Windshield seals drained into the door seal channel.

[DLewis]

Well like most projects of mine, I am not done yet.
Went with #3 and they look perfect.

Having trouble getting the window to roll up and down smoothly.

Back at it again today.

Dean

[universeman]

I just ordered one of the #3 seals. Thanks for posting!

I'm going to replace my driver side with it and see if it works better than the one I have. The one I have is the Pelican one and it's making my door too hard to close.

[sballard]

I hate to ask a stupid question, but as long as we are on the subject....

I am getting ready to install the #2 weatherstripping above and I am curious about the orientation. Should the deep open groove face outward (away from the door edge) or inward?

[darrin]

Originally Posted by sballard

I hate to ask a stupid question, but as long as we are on the subject....

I am getting ready to install the #2 weatherstripping above and I am curious about the orientation. Should the deep open groove face outward (away from the door edge) or inward?

Believe you want it to be outward with the holes oriented downward -- my upholstery installed them the other way, causing the holes to "conveniently" distrubute water into my car rather than down and out through the door sill

[DLewis]

Ok after taking the window and mechanism out again , I am making progress.

Only thing left is the door channel and door latch plate.

[universeman]

Yeah the idea is to have the seal trap the water and then eject it onto the outer door seal, not into the car!

[Dave Colangelo]

Originally Posted by DLewis

Ok after taking the window and mechanism out again , I am making progress.

Only thing left is the door channel and door latch plate.

I have a PDF of the targa supplement for the shop manual (its for the later cars but many of the adjustments remained the same) that may be of help fitting/adjusting everything. PM me your email if you want a copy.

Regards
Dave

[911JeffS]

Gentleman any updates ?

[universeman]

I haven't installed mine yet. My door seal that I want to replace is still in the car (the superseded kind with the holes in the tubular design.) The one I bought (see above) is more supple and more dense than the Porsche OEM seal I bought from PP. We'll see if it works any better.

Since my door seal is not currently glued in, it falls out a lot. I'm just hanging on until I can get the targa bar seal redone (which is on my list.) However here's something - yesterday I washed the car. I opened the door soon after to get out after driving it a while, and the door seal flopped out like it does, since it's not glued. I was surprised to see a ton of water pour out of the seal tube - it's like nothing drained out at all while the seal was there with the door closed. This can't be good, I really don't like the design of these new door seals.

[DLewis]

Well I am back at it.

Had a few issues along the way with rust repair and replacing some vinyl pieces but now I an ready to put the new door seal in.

Problem is It has been so long I have forgotten the orientation

So two pictures below.
One is the seal profile and one is the orientation I think it has to go.

Basically facing down. Got to believe the other way just makes for problems but I want to make sure.

Thank, Dean

[universeman]

Orientation is correct. The flap protects your interior from water, sheds it to the outside of the door opening.