Author Topic: Hood/bonnet latch seal  (Read 823 times)

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Offline Clifton

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Hood/bonnet latch seal
« on: Saturday,July 06, 2024, 06:04:30 AM »
Anyone with a TC know what the seal looks like on the hood/bonnet latch plate? Number 16 in the pic. I assume sheet rubber with a cut in it. I have also seen what also looks like an enclosure behind the latch to keep air from the cabin. I plan on using EDPM sheet for a seal unless someone knows of a better method.


Offline BDA

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #1 on: Saturday,July 06, 2024, 06:49:01 AM »
Hmmm… how to describe such a simple thing…

It’s rubber with an “enclosed” slot for the lock tab to go in. It keeps water from getting in the cabin. Not sure that helps… Think of your rubber sheet with a slit only make it a slot. Then add a cover over the slot that the lock tab goes in and encloses the slot.

Not easy to make. Maybe 3D print it? Or your rubber sheet with a slit that closes around the lock tab might work too.

Offline Clifton

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #2 on: Saturday,July 06, 2024, 10:27:32 AM »
So it is enclosed. Thanks!

Offline Fotog

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #3 on: Saturday,July 06, 2024, 11:35:24 AM »
From what I understand it's nominally shaped like the sketch below; made of thin rubber.  Probably not sharp edges to the recessed 'pocket' though.

Offline Cheguava

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #4 on: Saturday,July 06, 2024, 12:54:35 PM »
Thanks for posting this. Had no idea that there was supposed to be a seal there as it was long gone when I removed the metal slots on my TC. Very interested in any solutions created!  :)

Offline 314159td

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #5 on: Saturday,July 06, 2024, 05:17:01 PM »
Perfect application for a TPU 3D print or something simple cast out of polyurethane.

Offline Clifton

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #6 on: Sunday,July 07, 2024, 04:08:49 AM »
The foam I used is a little too soft but I have a lot of left over. I'll do some freeway driving and see if it stays or folds back to the cabin. Anything to stop the hot air.

Offline BDA

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #7 on: Sunday,July 07, 2024, 06:27:16 AM »
That probably does 95% of what the original does.  :beerchug:

You could get to 99% by knife-edging the lock tab!  ;D

Offline EuropaTC

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #8 on: Sunday,July 07, 2024, 09:14:16 AM »
The snag with using a plain gasket is when the car is standing outside in heavy rain. Water drips between the body & lid, lands on the flat bit of steel that does the locking and ends up dribbling inside the cabin. You'll not even know it's happening and if you garage the car the likelyhood is you'll never have a problem. But if it's outside regularly then you build up cabin moisture and in winter the screen has a tough time demisting, plus you get assorted rust in places you never see !

If you have room to fit a short section of foam rubber on the body above the lock such that it diverts water around the locking plate, then I think that's as good as the little rubber sock, which usually tears over time anyway.

Offline Clifton

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #9 on: Sunday,July 07, 2024, 09:47:32 AM »
We get rain like 5 days a year in Phoenix. The heat is the problem here. Today is 113f/45c . I know the UK and some parts of the US get a bit of rain though.

Offline Cheguava

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #10 on: Sunday,July 07, 2024, 10:31:50 AM »
We get rain like 5 days a year in Phoenix. The heat is the problem here. Today is 113f/45c . I know the UK and some parts of the US get a bit of rain though.

Did you see the F1 today? Not a massive fan of the UK commentator, but when a team radio message was broadcast saying "25 minutes from rain" his response along the lines of "that's basically a description of an English summer" was spot on! That is some serious Arizona heat though!

Offline Clifton

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #11 on: Sunday,July 07, 2024, 10:47:11 AM »
Yea, Tuesday is 117/46. The older I get the more I hate it here. You run from a/c car to a/c house or business.

Offline BDA

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #12 on: Sunday,July 07, 2024, 11:55:14 AM »
Living in New Orleans is similar except that it can be 97°F with 97% humidity. I won't say New Orleans heat is worse than Arizona heat but it's a lot different. It's a curious sensation to feel yourself sweat after closing your door to walk to the car (my garage was full of different things so my poor car sat outside)!

Offline dakazman

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #13 on: Sunday,July 07, 2024, 04:43:20 PM »
  I tell my wife that she didn’t tell me to stay home when going to work in Orlando daily. Now it’s stay in garage with the A/C on , so,  I do. 
  I really need another garage!
Dakazman

Offline BDA

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Re: Hood/bonnet latch seal
« Reply #14 on: Sunday,July 07, 2024, 05:17:29 PM »
This is what I should have replied:
Yea, Tuesday is 117/46. The older I get the more I hate it here. You run from a/c car to a/c house or business.

Yeah, but it’s a dry heat.  :FUNNY: