Does anyone know the original diameter of the headlight door gasket, not the thin ones being sold, I might try to get them made,Bob
For what year? The reflector of my '26 coupe was sealed by a 1/8" gasket made of rope, between the lens and the channel surrounding the rim of the reflector and held tightly in place by a circular spring in the rim that pressed against the lens with the outward pressure holding the rim in place. When installing the rope gasket there was enough rope to leave a gap at the bottom for the reflector to drain in case any water found it's way in. Jim Patrick
I bought a good original pair of 15 headlamps years ago that had round leather cord in there - like what you would use to power a treadle sewing machine only thinner - the 1/8" sounds right. Not sure if it were a farmer fix or correct, but the lenses were aftermarket patterned ones and not flat glass.
The ones that are sold now are 7/64 and 1/8" is what I thought also, thanks Bob
For a part that's never seen, function prevails over originality--Just like pistons. I've seen everything from a bead of silicone to plastic clothesline used. I suspect that unless the cost is less than a $1 a pair, there's little market for them.
I was planning on using small engine starter rope on mine. I have about 300-400 feet of it that I got for free.
I use the cotton clothes line, works well. KB
The cotton venetian blind cord is just about right.
I used a piece of 1/8 inch cotton cord once, like for Venetian blinds. Then I drove the car in the rain. I wound up with an odd orange stain on parts of the lamp. Turned out the (maybe nylon) center of the cord which was orange, was colored with some non-waterproof orange coloring.
It cleaned up okay. But the cord sure looked ugly after it turned orange. At least you couldn't see it when the lamp was all put together.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
I used 1/8" nylon cord on both the '23 TT and the '25 coupe. I "glued" the cord to the reflectors with RTV. be sure to leave a small gap at the bottom to let out any moisture. Worked great for me. Dave