Rear window seal

[Sparkrite]

Hi bozman, if you could simply give maximum outside sizes for width and height. Mine is 14mm x 14mm.

[bozman]

Hope this works for you . . . 3.5 mm and 5 mm for the openings seems to be spot on.

[maxcar]

I replaced my original rear window 15 years ago using a Banks window rubber and a screwdriver for the insert. It was an incredibly difficult job that I really would like to do again. I have fitted several other windows of the same type, but none have been that hard. I assume that the rubber was a bit too thick, because it was quite hard to not have the window pop inside or outside the correct alignment in the window opening.

Now I might have to take the window out again, so I’m also curious of which window rubbers that seem to work best.

[Pfreen]

I don't  this is relevant, but in my case (74 tcs) the rear window opening was too large and the original window would not stay in the gasket.   The car has never been repaired, so this is a factory issue.  I had a larger rear window made.  If the window is too tight, then that may be fixable with a little sanding of the fiberglass lip.  The drawing of the seal and your rear window in hand will allow you to make a paper template of the correct opening dimensions. 
Having read many times on this blog of people having no issues and others having a difficult time, it is possible that the opening dimension varies significantly.  It did with my car.
I had to get the rear window made up to a 1/4" taller to get it to fit properly.

[maxcar]

That sounds reasonable, since the tolerances at the factory probably made for quite some variations.

[TC2000]

Hope this works for you . . . 3.5 mm and 5 mm for the openings seems to be spot on.

I am progressively improving my TCS, and now on the rear window since it is popping out of the seal at the top. The rubber has hardened and the locking strip is broken in pieces.

I ordered a seal from Kelvedon. When I got it, I noticed it was MUCH bigger than the old one: the dimension 16mm in your drawing is 21mm, and the 13mm is near 17mm.

I went to a professional screen fitter with the car and the new seal; first reaction was waouu ! "do you really want to try this?"; I said yes, and he said that seal looks to big.
Off went the the glass and the old seal ( easy job!), then we tried to install new seal and glass. We gave up after an hour and a half. Went home with glass on passenger seat ....

I ordered another seal: the dimension 16mm in your drawing is 17mm, and the 13 mm of your drawing is 16mm, so it is smaller than the Kelvedon's one, sold as a suitable one.
I also notice that the dimension between the bottom of each grove (body/glass) is 6 mm in the large seal and 4mm in the smaller I ordered.

Now waiting for the smaller seal, purchased here: https://www.comptoir-carrosserie.fr/profil-glace-etou-parebrise-xml-162-1738.html

You can see different profiles here: https://www.comptoirducabriolet.com/fr/travaux-carrosserie-voiture/joints-de-carrosserie-voiture/joints-cles-pare-brise-et-lunette-arriere-pour-cabriolets/

I will report on future success developments...

[jbcollier]

I was a mechanic for 35 years and I fit a lot of glass in my day.  I went to fit the Europa rear window and thought to myself no problem.  I fit the seal around the glass, lubed everything up and wrapped string around the seal -- a procedure I have done countless times.  Two hours later, still no go.

I then read the manual.

I followed the procedure in the manual and the window was in, done and dusted, 30 minutes later.

The rear window is a tight fit.  Traditional fitting methods don't work.  Follow the manual.

[4129R]

I have fitted 5 Europa rear screens using only flat bladed screwdrivers, lubrication, and a lot of care.

IMHO you need the proper flaring tool to fit the sealing strip, which is a challenge.

Even with the correct size strip from Banks/Lotus Supplies, both are a real challenge and need patience.

You need to make sure the glass is central to the hole.

[RafM]

I recently fitted a rear window on a TC, this is a project that I purchased half done.

The thought of slipping while putting the locking insert in place and gouging the new paintwork
filled me with horror. So instead I reversed the rubber and put the locking strip on the inside of the car.
No seats and plenty of access available.

It was an extremely tight fit and none of the flaring tools worked. Washing up liquid, a selection of flat, blunt
screwdrivers and lot's of patience did the job eventually. I think the rubber came from Banks.