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twocoupes

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Had my 72 E9 restored and as part of the restoration, they installed the three-sided rubber gasket/molding that surrounds the engine compartment. This rubber is very stiff and does not allow the hood to line up with the fenders. The hood edge is about a quarter-inch higher than the edge of the fenders. Looks awful.

I was told in time the rubber would soften, and eventually the hood line and fender lines would line-up perfectly. It has been five years and the rubber molding/gasket has not softened a bit.

If I order new, I'm thinking it will be just as hard as what I have now. To solve the problem, I removed the molding and now the hood lines up much better with the fenders. What risk am I taking? I never drive the car in the rain and when I wash, I always blow out the water with a leaf blower.

Does the molding serve any other purpose than to keep water out of the engine compartment?
 
Hi twocoupes!

Just a thought...
Not sure how it looks for you but there (normally) shouldn't be gasket all way down the fenders. (See pics from engine bays at this forum)
In that case it could cause the hood unaligned towards fenders.
 
Can you post a pic of this gasket?

twocoupes said:
Had my 72 E9 restored and as part of the restoration, they installed the three-sided rubber gasket/molding that surrounds the engine compartment. This rubber is very stiff and does not allow the hood to line up with the fenders. The hood edge is about a quarter-inch higher than the edge of the fenders. Looks awful.

I was told in time the rubber would soften, and eventually the hood line and fender lines would line-up perfectly. It has been five years and the rubber molding/gasket has not softened a bit.

If I order new, I'm thinking it will be just as hard as what I have now. To solve the problem, I removed the molding and now the hood lines up much better with the fenders. What risk am I taking? I never drive the car in the rain and when I wash, I always blow out the water with a leaf blower.

Does the molding serve any other purpose than to keep water out of the engine compartment?
Click to expand...
 
i am adding to Steve´s request on pics, but

there are three long (talking in width) gaskets in the engine compartment

first one at the front, usually gives no problems
second at the firewall, very problematic
third at the end of the waterbox, close to the begining of the windshield glass

the second one is usually giving problems as the ones that you mentioned, it is easy to get the correct shape gasket, the one with a long lip standing vertical, but as the material is harder tan the original one you will experience too much interference

my solution was:

1st- trim part of the height of this gasket
2nd. - buy and place an alternative gasket made of a hollow section of rubber, it is more flexible and adapts better

IMHO do not run the car without a gasket, as it was previously said this gasket keeps bad things within the engine compartment

another curious issue, you say you do not drive your car in the rain, but you clean it with w a t e r ?...funny, isn´t it ? hope it is only Little wáter,..
 
Thanks for the responses. I checked the engine bay of the inca coupe for sale. The gasket runs parallel to the windshield and then only to the firewall. So I cut the gasket and still a problem because the gasket running in front of the windshield is what's causing the problem.

I think the advice to find a new, softer and lower gasket is the answer.

About not driving in the rain and still washing with water – not a problem as I blow all the excess water away with a leaf blower. Had this car since 1975 and not a speck of rust.

Got divorced in 85. Gave up the house but kept the coupe. I know my priorities.
 
Is it installed correctly with the slit in the gasket fitting onto the lip of the body metal?
 
I think the guys are asking for a pic!
In the race world any opening to pass compartment from engine is DQ
DOT is same.
If it's in the engine bay it stays in the engine bay.
 
i can tell you from recent first hand experience that i installed a new gasket above the firewall and i cannot get my hood closed. it sticks up too high at the back edge. if i take it off, it closes fine. i was trying to close it to check that the recently installed hood light would turn off.

time to find alternatives
 
My car could use a rubber... strip that is, for the engine compartment. I stink after a spin in the old girl.

Anybody know what the part number is? Or if the part is still available?
 
the 51711810531 part is what i'm having trouble with. this one did not appear to be different from side to side ... maybe i missed something
 
I recently bought one of these and yes it is different than the original design. I sticks up a lot more and interferes with the 2 hood latch pieces when shutting the hood. Mine angles back toward the windshield a little and after a couple months of a tight fit the latches have formed an indent in the seal and it fits fine now. Probably more airtight than original. I will take pics tomorrow. Does yours angle one way or another - forward or back? Facing backward would make it easier to close.


rsporsche said:
the 51711810531 part is what i'm having trouble with. this one did not appear to be different from side to side ... maybe i missed something
Click to expand...
 
mine does angle back toward the window ... i need to make sure its all the way down and perhaps help it lay down some more.
 
Here's mine, it folded where the hood latch brackets initially hit the seal then it clears it entirely when pushing it down. Maybe move your brackets aft a slight amount until they just slide past it when pressing the hood into the latches before pulling the cable?

IMG_1207.JPG


IMG_1204.JPG





rsporsche said:
mine does angle back toward the window ... i need to make sure its all the way down and perhaps help it lay down some more.
Click to expand...
 
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