The side windows of a '66 Mustang, convertible or otherwise, have molded rubber weatherstripping around the tops of the windows from front to rear. The front pillar weatherstrip is always in a metal channel while the rest of the weatherstrip is either in an extension of that same metal channel or attached directly to the convertible top frame. In either case, there is supposed to be a foam weatherstrip tape that is nominally 1" wide and 5/32" thick above either the metal channel or the convertible weatherstrip sections. I cannot find any of the Mustang part suppliers that sell this foam tape which was originally sticky on one side, if not both. Everyone sells the molded rubber weatherstrips, but no one seems to sell the flat foam tape that is equally important.
I know I could probably use a caulking gun sealer of some kind but that tends to make a big mess compared to the correct sticky foam tape. Restoration Specialities & Supply http://www.restorationspecialties.co...og%20ebook.pdf
on page 32 sells a 5/32" x 1" Peel Bak Adhesive Sponge Weatherstrip but I have never seen any of it to know if its similar to the original Ford item.
Anyone out there found a good source for this tape?
You'll have to call and ask for it and have it shipped to you since you're in New Mexico, but the local place to me that I got it from is Dallas Mustang. It's actually rolls of the stuff used for the weather seals on I want to say it was from the fox body stangs. Just call them and tell them what you're looking for and that they are sold in rolls for the different year of mustang. Then all you need to do is take those chrome strips off, lay out the weatherstripping on the tops, and cut to fit. Peel the backing tape off and lay them on. They told me that they didn't know of anyone reproducing those strips and that's how they handle this need. Once cut to fit, they're an exact replacement.
You'll need to get two rolls - one isn't long enough rolled out to do both sides. Ask for Randy. 1-800-MUSTANG. You'll probably spend ~10 bucks + shipping to you. If you have trouble let me know and I might be able to dig out a part number - but it's probably buried in a three inch pile of receipts or lost in my garage somewhere.
Let me know if you're successful.
-1965stang
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2003 V-6 - the usual bolt-ons. Gremlin taking up residence in the idler pulley. I'll finish this one when I'm done with the other one.
1965 coupe - Born - straight six standard issue
Now - 5.0 motor, T5 tranny, R&P, full length subframe connectors, draglink bars, hedman headers
Coming soon - disc brakes, electronic ignition and a whole host of other stuff I forgot to mention. The list goes on and on. Basically, it's my new toy
Wait, where is the foam tape supposed to go? Between the stainless steel channel and the weatherstrip that seals the top of the vent window, door window, and quarter window? If so that means I did mine wrong. I used weatherstrip adhesive for my new seals.
Someone besides me edited my original thread title to say 1966 and I can't change it. This tape is found on a wide variety of cars. I used 1966 as an example but I expect it was used for more like 10-20 years as the above reference to the Fox body cars illustrates.
Kevin,
Thanks for the tip. Not finding it on their website its hard to know they have it or exactly what it is.
Mike,
I have seen those weatherstrip mouldings often called 'stainless' but I don't think that is accurate. Stainless is usually non-magnetic and they ALL attract a magnet just like plain steel. But putting that aside:
The tape goes between the bright metal parts that hold the weatherstrips and the painted body. Or for a convertible, since there is no separate weatherstrip holder, the foam tape is between the top of the weatherstrips and the convertible top frame. I do believe all those spots are supposed to have foam tape underneath. I know my convertible front pillar weatherstrip channels had it behind them and its a familiar looking part I have seen previously. My top W/S had been glued on but the shop manual on p 18-33 shows tape. Since its so hard to find now I don't doubt that there are a lot of cars put together otherwise. With the tape its easier to pull the parts loose later. With glue that can be a problem.
Curiously, the Mustang shop manual says NOTHING about the seal above the windows and doors on a coupe or fastback. We all know there is a W/S there but my shop manual never bothers to mention it. For a convertible the front pillar W/S with foam tape is shown on p 17-48, Figure 20. Since the non-convertibles have a similar steel channel that goes the length of the windows I am fairly certain that tape is under the entire channel length for those car. Its been too long for me to remember what was there on my coupe. Nothing is specified between the channel and the W/S itself except in the lower right corner of Fig 20 where it shows a small bead of unspecified 'sealer' in the outer corner of the channel. Upon disassembly my (original?) channels had no such sealant. I do plan to use some W/S cement in the front pillar channel for my convertible. I was uncertain if there had been any used their originally or not. Since my NOS Ford W/S from 1983 needs to be stretched nearly an inch to fit the mounting holes I fear that without some cement in there the W/S will tend to stretch non-uniformly and possibly tear.
Sorry Ivy66GT - their hours are 9-5 M-F and 9-2 on saturday, central time. If somebody doesn't pick up and you get a menu during store hours, hit option 3. You probably won't find it on their website, not everything is up there - they redid the site and it's not the greatest because it doesn't have everything they have on it. I only know about this because there was one day I was in there and the guy in front of me was buying it. I asked about it because I knew I'd be needing it and picked up a couple rolls while I was there.
For everyone else - it goes between the drip rail at the top of the door frame and is sandwiched between the chrome strips that are screwed on each respective door frame. It seals that space in between for a tight seal. After you cut it to proper length, it's a perfect fit. The other weatherstripping goes on the bottom side of the chrome strips for the window to roll up into.
Hope that helps and clarifies things.
__________________
2003 V-6 - the usual bolt-ons. Gremlin taking up residence in the idler pulley. I'll finish this one when I'm done with the other one.
1965 coupe - Born - straight six standard issue
Now - 5.0 motor, T5 tranny, R&P, full length subframe connectors, draglink bars, hedman headers
Coming soon - disc brakes, electronic ignition and a whole host of other stuff I forgot to mention. The list goes on and on. Basically, it's my new toy
Go to any HVAC supply house. It comes in 25' to 50' rolls. Last time I bought some it was around $10. Just do a HVAC parts supplier search in your area. Just ask for foam tape. Here's a picture of what I have left. Only problem is this is 2" wide. Easy to cut with scissors.
No need now, I found it for sale in Albuquerque at a commercial distributor. I can buy 1/8" or 1/16" thickness of single-sided sticky foam in rolls of 50 ft for around $10/roll or less. Maybe I should go into the foam selling business?
The NPD catalog says the convertible top tape W/S was originally 1/16 x 1/2" but they don't sell any. I am wondering if it was really that thin. Either way, I know where to get it: Gasket, Packing & Seal in Albuquerque.
1966er: We were typing at the same time. I agree, see above. I can get it here in 1" widths up to sheets 4 feet wide. It comes in thicknesses of 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, etc.
No need now, I found it for sale in Albuquerque at a commercial distributor. I can buy 1/8" or 1/16" thickness of single-sided sticky foam in rolls of 50 ft for around $10/roll or less. Maybe I should go into the foam selling business?
The NPD catalog says the convertible top tape W/S was originally 1/16 x 1/2" but they don't sell any. I am wondering if it was really that thin. Either way, I know where to get it: Gasket, Packing & Seal in Albuquerque.
1966er: We were typing at the same time. I agree, see above. I can get it here in 1" widths up to sheets 4 feet wide. It comes in thicknesses of 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, etc.
Good, glad you found some. I've used this for a lot of seals, including some of the heater box seals.
1966 Mustang, Foam weatherstrip tape 
