So, Lined up my doors all nice and then put on the gaskets I got form MACS....either they are too hard or too thick because now its way too much pressure to close the door. Who makes the best set of gaskets? Thanks

 

For bumps, I think it was Orich that said Soffseal seals were about right. I don't know if they make them for slicks or not.

 

Before you "bail", try tying/strapping the doors to one another and hold them in the closed position for a couple days. Then check to see if they are getting better. Weatherstrips give with time....like new shoes. You want them a little tight to seal.

 

All the reproduction door gaskets sold by Carpenter/NPD/Mac's/LMC and etc are copies of the Ford "Service Part Replacement" gaskets.

Ford never sold the original door gaskets at the parts counter, they were only available on new trucks.

The original gaskets were flat, so the doors would close properly on sales lots, the replacements are much fatter.

 

I will second this as I installed my DC door seals this spring. They were "too fat" at first, but settled in after a week or so. Now the doors close nice and solid with no extra thickness noticeable.

 

Thanks all, i will try the strap trick and see what I get. Just trying not to force anything if y'all know what I mean....

 

I used the DC door seals too, and they took a couple months before they'd close nicely. But they do now, so I'm happy with them. I'm sure it depends on how well you install them, there's a lot of room for error.

 

What do you mean it depends on how well you install them? They are a formed gasket with pre-installed "pins" in the bottom that can only be applied in the correct position on the door? Either you put them on in the correct orientation and position or you didn't. I actually dug through my stock of spares and found another door gasket, which wa much softer than the one I installed from MACS supplier. It also has Ford part numbers on it, so it seems there may be (or maybe once was) some better (softer) aftermarket gaskets.

 

You are not the first person with this problem. I have read on other forums guys using rubber parts from DC on other early Fords having a problem with the door and trunk seal rubber. Many have commented that they are being made off shore, I don't know if that meant the parts or just the rubber. People have compared new ones to older ones that were purchased a number of years ago and they are different in size and hardness.

 

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The studs are only on the bottom, the rest you have to glue in place. It has a tendency to twist in places, and sometimes it's not the right distance from the edge.

 

try a little silicone spray on those new door seals, it will help soften them up and the seals forum to the jambs.

 

This worked for me when using the seals from rock auto . . . good tip!

 

My understanding is that generally they take time to break in
But not all seal manufacturers are the same. I got some from LMC for my 65 and they were super thick, and tough. Closing the door they would wedge between the door and fender. They wouldn't work. I bought a set of DC which was a much better thickness, and allowed the door to close easily. Both sets were too long and needed to be trimmed down. Maybe they use the same mold, but not the same injection process or materials.
You could also play with how your door is hung, but that's a tricky process once you loosen those bolts.

 

Thanks. Yes, Im in concurrence with your analogy about different manufacturers and after a week of having the door pulled from inside (ratchet strap) these seals from Macs are still seemingly bulky. I may have to start over...