I may have a solution to a question you didn't know you asked about.
The gasket that goes around the B pillar vent is almost impossible to find....I've tried Rare Spares and a couple of restoration rubber places with no luck.
Until......I found a rubber section that fits on the back of the vent. I will go back and get a full length and try it out on the car hopefully some time next week.
It is slightly bigger than the original plastic but I am hoping that when it is put in place and done up it will compress and fill the space between vent and body completely.
My thoughts are that you're onto a winner! I also need to do soemthing about this for swapping to the later model vents. Keen to her how you get on. Will have to have a scrounge around Para Rubber next week.
I think they are there to stop the vent vibrating and rubbing against the body and taking off the paint. They may also stop whistling that may come from air rushing over the gap between the vent and body (I'm just theorising here, I have no actual proof) but it makes sense in my head.
WANTSOM wrote:Personally, I find sloppy boxes very unsatisfying. I like them tight and taught to the point that if you dont have to push to get it in then its probably too old and time to get a new one :P
don't try explaining that to her tho..... just leave. lol
Went to try out the rubber gasket on the car while it's under the knife.
Looks like it fits reasonably well. The vent sits a fraction higher than with the plastic section but I think that may just be because it needs a bit of manouvering to get it in properly....maybe soapy water so it all slides together better. I didn't do up the nut on the back to pull it down properly so that will help. And I think over time the rubber will compress better to give a nice fit....but time will tell. Without anything there, the vent will wobble around and would no doubt rattle and drive you mad. I noticed that later model vents I have have 4 small rubber blocks on them...obviously to support the vent better and stop this problem happening.
This is exactly 1 metre of the gasket fitted to the vent itself. It just slides on and goes around the corners pretty easily. And I was careful not to stretch it as I put it on.
Same as per factory, drain gap for leaves, water and stuff to drain from.
Now the part you're all interested in to do it yourself. Simply send a stamped self addressed envelope and a blank cheque to me at .......
or
Contact this place Bill Thompson Auto Rubbers
The channel is here
The code is VV263B....the one shown on the web page (without the B) is bigger and won't fit.
Al, this info is gold. Can we put this thread somewhere like the Technical file or a sticky ?
Dreams have no limits.
1982 JA - Ex Enthuzed
1982 JA - For Sale - pending
1983 JA - Ex Auto-cross car - being parted out
1983 JA - Being parted out
1984 JA - Rolling shell - For Sale
1985 JB - Rally car project
1985 JB - Autocross car
1985 JB - Week-end cruiser
