Door Seals

The previous owner of my car had purchased quite a bit of rubber replacement parts.  Among other items was new door seals.  So when it came time to put them on, I was quite happy to not have to purchase any.  However, at that time, I didn't know much about what was supposed to be on the car as far as originality goes.

The seal on the left is the 'Type 1' seal which is correct for a 250 GTE or 330 America.  That's the seal that the previous owner had purchased.  The seal in the center was my first try at getting the correct seal.  It does have about the right shape, but the flap is foam and the rubber part that clamps onto the metal flange of the door opening is embossed rather than being smooth.  The seal on the right is the correct one.  I donated my Type 1 seal to Tom Yang to use on his 330 America.  I had installed it, but both sides were still in fine shape.  Plus the door opening of the 330 America is a little smaller than the GT, so he will be able to trim and fit the ends nicely.  I still have the center seal for sale at a very good price if someone doesn't want to go for perfect originality but needs to replace their seals.  Just contact me.

 If you are careful, you don't have to remove the inside trim to replace the seal.  However, it was a tight fit right in the corner, so I had to loosen the grab handle and inside light to let the trim move away from the flange.  The grab handle is held on by two screws at each end, only one of which is initially visible.  You remove the obvious screw and then pull the grab handle out of the end fitting and then the second screw is visible.

Here you can see the seal following the flange right near the hinges of the door.  Once you get the seal started on both side of the flange properly, a rubber mallet will tap it in place nicely and bend it to conform to the edge of the flange.

I still have to trim and glue the flaps where they come together in the corner.  I left them cut long so I could do that when the weather is warmer and I can have the car outside with the doors fully open and out of the way.