Topic: Door Beltline Weatherstrip - Poor Fit 1970 RePop

[alanmac]

The beltline weather-strips don't fit snuggly against the Ford Panel.  The distance from the cantilever beam tip and the beltline back surface (.094") is larger than the thickness of the sheet metal (.036") which yields a .058" gap.  Attached is a picture of the new clip and the old clip that worked great.  I believe the old beltline weather-strip was also a RePop brand, I installed many years ago.  The old clip design was far superior since it captured the top and bottom edges of the oblong mounting holes tightly.  NPD says all their beltlines vendors use the new clip design.  It maybe possible to add weather-strip adhesive below the clip and shim it until dry for a proper fit.  The other problem with the new beltlines is they fit lower than the top surface of the door by .050 - .075".   Many reviews are good on the RePop beltlines, I have no idea why.   

[J_Speegle]

Did you reshape the opening in the door panel, trim panel and the door side? These often get deformed removing the belt line strips and I've always given them a "tap" in the opposite direction to ensure a tight fit for the new ones.

Just a thought and practice that has served me well.

[alanmac]

Jeff,  Thanks for the input.  My door panels around the mounting holes needed very little straightening.  My opinion is the clip design is not as good as it could be and the vertical location of the clips is incorrect.   

[J_Speegle]

Jeff,  Thanks for the input.  My door panels around the mounting holes needed very little straightening.  My opinion is the clip design is not as good as it could be and the vertical location of the clips is incorrect.

Point well made from a guy standing there comparing them in real time. Hopefully the suppliers will take notice and communicate it to the maker. We have seen in the past many of the great resellers request changes to make parts better but they need the feedback from the users

If others are wondering why this post got left here rather than moved to the 70 section, it is because this issue likely is taking place on other reproduction belt line weather strip also 

[alanmac]

I provided my feedback to Rick the owner of NPD.  Hopefully he passes it along.   

[alanmac]

NPD replaced the RePop beltlines with PUI brand.  The PUI clips snap into the slots and fit correctly.  The top edge of the beltline is slightly above the top of the door.  They look way better than the RePop brand.  The PUI beltlines are missing the plastic guide that is inline with the stainless edge trim on the back of the window.  I removed them from the old beltlines and riveted them on the PUI beltline.       

[kitdoctor]

The same issues plague the repro parts industry worldwide...it's not like they had to invent anything, just accurately copy the original Ford parts.  It would be interesting to hear the views of an industry insider. High quality reproduction parts are possible.  Just look what Jack does at Dead Nuts On.

[carlite65]

we have one here. Scott302 is the Ford product manager for NPD. he may chime in later.