Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Received a new boot (trunk) seal from Sue Miller. The profile is quite different from the original as shown below.


Original on the left.

Net effect is that the boot does not seal very well with the new seal. This can be seen by shining a light from above and looking through the tail light lens holes (tail lights are currently removed).

Is this the current state of what is available for a new boot seal?

(Fortunately my original one is in relatively good shape so I may just retain it.)

Welcome to the world of supplied stuff that is just plain wrong, doesn't fit or is of poor quality.
I have unfortunately been sold over the last few months, from all the different suppliers, things that are either not right or not of acceptable quality to me which is both frustrating and disappointing, not to say expensive.

Have a look at a seal supplier and on their websites you can see the profile before ordering.
I have also found you can also fit more than one gasket under the boot Hinges to adjust.
Nothing is worst than a bad boot Seal letting in Exhaust fumes
Alan

The solution to your problem is likely to lie here. https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/
If they don't have what you want then I suspect it isn't made. I have no conncetion to these guys other than as a satisfied customer.

alanr wrote:Welcome to the world of supplied stuff that is just plain wrong, doesn't fit or is of poor quality.
I have unfortunately been sold over the last few months, from all the different suppliers, things that are either not right or not of acceptable quality to me which is both frustrating and disappointing, not to say expensive.

Fully agree with all that.

The PDF attachment is something I did in 2003, well out of date but it shows the variation of window channel mouldings available at that time. I suspect its no much different now!

Ian

Edit, for some reason its has done this twice

My body man has spent a lot of time adjust edge widths so that the RD supplied seals seal. I suppose with the opposite problem of a narrow edge, one could extend the edge for the new seal. Though it seems better to go seal profile shopping instead.

John

Well chaps.....I have just been out and had a look at an original seal from a bodyshell from a 67' elan SE that was involved in a nasty front end accident in 1970 and sat untouched in a garden since then.....I have to say that the one that Susan Miller supplied (the one on the right in the first picture) is pretty much exactly the same as the one on my Bodyshell.

Here is a picture......not sure if that is helpful but it is original from factory....it is a little squashed but it is the same profile as one Susan Miller supplied to me recently.....

If you haven't already, you might try fitting the lid without the hinges.

Perhaps the factory used different boot seals for different years. For example, I believe S1/S2 seals we?re different than later ones.

The boot seal on my 69 S4 is absolutely original (car has been in my possession since I collected it at Hethel in July 1969). It does differ significantly from the newly supplied one.

I should note that the original one always sealed well with no leaks. As the old one remains in decent shape I?m going to use it. The paint shop is using it, instead of the new one, in finalizing the boot fit.

I was only renewing the seal as a matter of course as I go through all the bits on the car.

my '68 Fed S4se is quite original, and I could not find a fitting trunk/boot seal either - eventually I put back to old one, sort of flattened at the top corners and possibly shrunk a bit in length, awaiting for a better solution... please post your finding if applicable !

Woolies will match a sample if you send it to them, or send you 1 inch lengths of ones you want to test

I have been hunting for window seals for my original S1 hardtop that I?m in the midst of restoring. Hours of hunting on-line and talking to several suppliers of various seals got me to the conclusion that the seals designed and manufactured in the 60?s are no longer made and most have been redesigned ?improvements?.

I found this company had the best selection of modern automotive seals to choose from. https://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/index.asp