Roof seal retaining channel properly fitting

[Technoholic]

Hi

Next on my list is to properly sort out the seals on the roof. I have bought the new seals for tvr parts which have the improved stiffer T Section. The problem is that I can’t fit them into the roof channels because the screws that attach it to the roof are sitting proud, whereas the old softer seal would slide over the raised screws. I want to fix it properly and I can see that the screws are not countersunk properly, but the metal is too thin to allow these screws to be sunk in correctly. All my removing and refitting has also made the holes in the fibreglass too big.

So what are my options? I can drill new holes in the channel and try to countersink them properly and use different screws but I wouldn’t know which screws to use.

Alternatively I could replace the channels as they aren’t too expensive, but does anyone know if these are countersunk any differently? And if they come with screws?

Finally, the existing channels don’t have a spacer behind them but have various amounts of washers under different screws. I don’t think it needs the spacer and not sure it even needs the washers. Perhaps they were fitted to try and improve the seal previously. Can anyone confirm?

Any advice would be great as the car lives outside and now I’ve messed with it, I don’t think it’s all sealed as good as it was before (even though that wasnt great) but I need to fix it.

Thanks

[Technoholic]

All good ideas, the first one I tried using exactly those type of self tappers, and washing up liquid too, but the rubber is so rigid it wasnt enough. Once they’re finally in I’ll be grateful for the stiffness but it’s a pain right now!

I might try drilling some different holes in the existing channels. Actually using some sort of punch is not a bad idea, I’ll have to see if I can figure out a way to do that but I’d rather explore all my options before drilling more holes

[Technoholic]

Yes looks like it. Are they the right sized channels? Where from?

[Technoholic]

Oh that’s great information thanks! Any chance you could measure the thickness of the metal?

Did you redrill the existing holes or new ones? And what screws did you use to get them flush?

Thanks for your help. Sorry for all the questions!

[Technoholic]

Yes that's the problem I was having, finding a countersink tool that fits in the slot. Ill have to keep looking fo one, any pointers on how you modified yours would be great.

[Technoholic]

that's ok, I've just bought a cheap set of countersink bits, 6mm to 20mm, so I'll give that a go as the 6mm should fit, just need to find some screws with heads smaller than 6mm to fit through the slot and that mate up with the countersink nicely!

[Technoholic]

One more question regarding spacing. Looking at how I refitted the channel temporarily yesterday, I removed the washers at one end and now that end doesn't meet the window glass. So I assume the spacers are needed at that end unless I can adjust the glass well enough. Adding a flat spacer the whole length therefore wouldn't work as it wouldn't provide the "curve" at one end to follow the glass. Can you think of a better solution that some washers that might work better?

Thanks

[Technoholic]

I have upgraded seals to fit, if that's what you're talking about. They are completely stiff on the T section that goes in the channel, so they don't pop out when you so much as look at them

[Technoholic]

Yes compared to my old ones which I only fitted a short while ago, where you can compress the T section like sponge, on the new one you can't budge it, it's completely different material to the rest of the seal