I am getting close to reinstalling the front clip on the unibody and I discovered I am lacking parts. ( what else is new ). I'm talking about the rubber seals that attach to the inner fender aprons and seal against the firewall. They keep all the road crap from flying up into the engine bay. I have not been able to find them in any of the usual catalogs I shop from. Does anyone have any tips of locating them? Or am I just as well off making some myself. I know they are basically just a 2" strip of rubber, but I don't have the old ones from which to see how long they should be.

 

Shown as 16B126/16B127 in pic at rear of aprons- Black star next to basic part number means not furnished-Improrvise.

Shown as 16246 in parts catalog pic at rear of fenders:

C1TB-16246-A .. Seal-Front Fender to Front Body Pillar - R/L same / Obsolete

1961/66 F100/1100 / 1963/69 N/NT/T500/1100 / 1967/69 F800/1000.

No Ford dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

 

Thanks, I pretty much figured genuine Ford wouldn't have it, but wondered what others may have used and where to pick something up. I'll probably end up just heading to the local hardware store and look around.

 

Most of the vendors have those seals.


Mac's


Ford - Ford Pickup Truck Fender To Body Pillar Seals - Fits On Rear Of Fender - Macs Auto Parts




Dennis Carpenter


Fender Seal | Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts


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Yeah, I already have these seals. They aren't the ones in question because they seal the outer fender to the door pillar. I am looking for something for the inner fender to firewall seal.

 

Ya, those I haven't seen available yet. Simple strip of rubber if you can find something thick enough that it won't flap in the breeze and thin enough to get a staple through it.


Anyone else?


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The local Grainger Industrial Supply sells 1'X1' and 1'X2' rubber sheets in various thickness. That's what I used.

 

That's a possibility, but 2' doesn't seem long enough for a continuous strip. I haven't measured yet, so I could be wrong. I had considered using something like a garage door bottom weatherstrip, but haven't been to the store to look at them yet.

 

I made it to the hardware store to look for something suitable. I decided on a garage door bottom seal. There are different types, but I got one that looks like a thin rubber strip. I'll need to trim the edges off, but it seems as though it will be sturdy enough to do the job. Gotta be better than nothing at all, right?

 

If you have a camper shell dealer or supply place near you, you can get the rubber seal that goes between the camper shell and the top of the bed rails. There are different materials available but the rubber one works perfect. I believe it is 2"w × ?1/8" thick. It comes in lenths up to, I believe - 8 feet. Can't really remember the thickness but it's pretty good.

I put some of this stuff on one of my trucks about 15 years ago and it is still very flexible today.
I riveted them on. I first punched holes in the rubber with a leather hole puncher. BUT, they sell different sized hole punches. The rubber is thick enough so rivets work great.

 

I re-read your posts and I was thinking about something different from what you are asking for. But you might be able to use one of their thinner products and fashion your own.

I thought they used a gum type strip between the inner fender and fire wall, as well as between the front fender and the radiator support. Can't remember... ? Hummmm

 

I went to the tire shop and got an old truck inner tube for free and made mine. Do not get a car tube as they are way to thin. That is what ND would call improvising.

 

Thanks everyone for advice and ideas. I got at it, cut my rubber garage door seal and re-stapled it to the aprons. Where did I get the staples, you might ask? I made a template and formed them from a roll of rust resistant wire I had, taped the rubber in place and punch holes in the rubber through the existing staple holes. I then pushed the wire through and used a hammer and dolly to bend them over. Rivets would have been easier for sure, but I hadn't read Masked Rider's post yet. I think mine will hold up fine and its has a pretty stock look.