[kilodawg]

Here are your answers:

1. Use the complete length of seal don't trim anything. Yes, you let both the front and rear seal ends curve downward slightly to make a good fit. If you want, you can work with the fit at the ends once everything is together. I lifted one end just to get it perfect.

2. You may see on other posts where people say that the factory installation gets that tight look simply by curving the ends down. I don't buy it. What that picture shows is that internal to the seal is a rubber cord. Those factory seal cords end before the surrounding felt material ends and that is what makes for the really nice dovetail you see. The replacement seals have the cord go completely to each end so to get around this you curve the ends down. It's not exactly the same but plenty close enough..