I’m a bit confused as to how the roof rail seal slides into its retainer - if that’s what the metal piece is called.
The grooves molded in the rubber aren’t shaped in a way that would allow it to slide into retainer.
I figure it’s one of three things: 1) I’ve got the wrong roof rail seal, 2) I’ve got the wrong metal retainer piece, or 3) the answer is obvious but I’m too oblivious or low-IQ to see it (likely).
Are we talking about the weatherstrip that pops into the roof rail that screws into the roof, into which the windows roll up? On a previous occasion you post this pic:
Is #4 in this pic, the metal piece you are holding in your hand?
It doesn't look like mine - I can try to take some pix of mine when I replace the quarter window weatherstripping (my current ones are not flocked, and the window binds when sliding into place. I got flocked ones from Quirey). Perhaps tomorrow? I'll show you the cross section of my weatherstripping as well.
The metal piece I had in my hand is the 1st of the three in the photo (on the right side)
I have 3 metal pieces that look like they go around the roof opening. I do have a manual which shows this image, but I can’t really gleam enough from it to figure out how this weatherstripping installs.
The image of the cross-section of the seal is one of the two styles that came in the box. I’m guessing it’s for the 1/4 window since that doesn’t open and close with a door.
Anyway, yes, any images you have would be very helpful! Thanks so much!
Here's a pic of my retainer strip in the car, with the door window weatherstripping pulled out - you'll notice that the reproduction weatherstripping is in two pieces, the front has a different shape than the rear (the originals were molded in a single piece). Where the quarter window comes in contact with the weatherstrip by moving up, the door window closes onto the weatherstripping:
weatherstripping outweatherstripping in
Gary Goers used to make the reproduction weatherstripping; Quirey bought his operation, they now sell it - you can find their website here. In fact, I recently bought flocked quarter sections from them, something I couldn't get from Gary - the quarter window has a tendency to bind on the weatherstripping without flocking.
Here you can see the different profile of the front and rear weatherstripping - but note that, unlike yours, both of my sections have ears that latch into the grooves of the retainer:
door window weatherstrip profilequarter window weatherstrip profile
Brian wrote:The image of the cross-section of the seal is one of the two styles that came in the box.
Which box - was it one that came with the car, or something you purchased? I believe they are incorrect for our application.
I believe you may be right. I attached a photo of the ends of both styles of weatherstrip that I have.
I bought these from Andy Bernbaum’s eBay store last November; they are listed as 1957-1959 Dodge/Plymouth 2 door hardtop roof rail weatherstrip. But they definitely differ from yours, so maybe I do have the wrong ones.
I’ll get in touch with Quirey’s this week and perhaps order new ones from them. I need to order some other odds and ends from them anyway.
