10 replies to this topic

[NurburgRinger]

Over the weekend installed Heeltoe's fiberglass sunroof panel in my '86 Si, have some photos to share.

The old sunroof didn't look too bad from the top, yeah some bubbling on the corners but still better than some I've seen. Underneather was a difference story. Even the side and rear seal-retainers had significant rust on the ends so I sandblasted these, smeared the rusty areas with POR-15 seam sealer, primed and repainted.
Cleaned up the inner panel and fixed, mouse-fur trim ring also as best I could.

Really impressive quality of the new panel BTW. All of the multiple threaded posts and nuts were in the right place, old seal snapped right on (after at least 30 minutes of cleaning with a scotchbrite pad and toothbrush to remove all the old rust and gunk left by the old sunroof), opened and closed on the first try. Just had to drill two tiny holes for the interior panel screws, very simple.

Be careful with the main seal adhesive (used black 3M trim/gasket adhesive from Autozone). I used it pretty sparingly and still had some ooze out onto the sunroof surface when the seal was seated. Got most of it off when it was semi-dry but there's still 2 little places that I need to work on for the seal/panel to be perfect.

Had the panel painted at the same time as the rear bumper after a neighbor clipped it, and had some fender lip rust on the rear passenger side fixed as well.

big thanks to Marcus for making and offering this great product!!!!!
http://www.heeltoeau...S-pr-63729.html

BTW: a downloadable version of the tech manual's sunroof section was helpfully posted by 4N2NR:
http://www.redpepper...sunroof replace

here are some more pics of the new sunroof panel as received:
http://www.redpepper...showtopic=46154

[Stuckey85si]

That looks awesome. I have been thinking about ordering one of these for a while now. What does the FG look like unpainted?

Thanks,

Joseph

[NurburgRinger]

That looks awesome. I have been thinking about ordering one of these for a while now. What does the FG look like unpainted?

Thanks,

Joseph

Joseph - the last link in my post has photos of the part as it was received. The finish was quite smooth and shiny, with just a few light scratches that I'm sure could be buffed out if you want to leave it unpainted for a black car.

cheers
Kurt

[MrDisibility]

Nice post! I think this looks great. Glad it worked for you.

[Interceptor]

Is there a tutorial somewhere that explains how to install the seal around the panel ?

I can't see any opening to put the seal in place.

any help greatly appreicated, thanks!

[NurburgRinger]

Is there a tutorial somewhere that explains how to install the seal around the panel ?

I can't see any opening to put the seal in place.

any help greatly appreicated, thanks!

Are you installing a replacement sunroof panel or just replacing the seal?

Once the panel is out, flip it over, take off the 4 seal retaining pieces (the thin, long black part in the photos above) and the old seal can be easily pried off. Mine was in good shape (no cracks, tears, splits etc) so after a good amount of cleaning it went right back on.

Not sure what you mean by "opening to put the seal in place", it fits around the lip of the sunroof panel.

[Interceptor]

I'm installing a FG replacement with a brand new seal. Thanks for the explanation.

I didn't remember about the retaining pieces, I thought there was a cut in the seal to place on the edges of the panel, that's what I meant.
But I looked at it the wrong way. I get it now

[NurburgRinger]

cool - where did you get the seal, and what did it cost? I probably should have replaced mine while I had the chance, but the old one still works for the most part.

Post up pics of your install!

cheers

[Interceptor]

I have found one at a german's dealership, and he sold it to me for 100€ I don't know exactly how much that makes in $, around 140 I guess.

Actually I don't know when I'll be able to install it, because I need an extra seal retaining part, because I don't want to take the one from my current sunroof panel, since I'll keep it in my stock just in case I get to need it someday.

Any leads on where I could get a hand on one ?

[NurburgRinger]

I have found one at a german's dealership, and he sold it to me for 100€ I don't know exactly how much that makes in $, around 140 I guess.
Actually I don't know when I'll be able to install it, because I need an extra seal retaining part, because I don't want to take the one from my current sunroof panel, since I'll keep it in my stock just in case I get to need it someday.
Any leads on where I could get a hand on one ?

You'll need quite a few parts from the old sunroof (nuts, sliders, headliner etc) so your best bet would be to find a complete panel in a junkyard.

[Interceptor]

Hmm maybe... only problem is french junkyards mostly keep parts for the stinky french cars...

It doesn't matter if I have to take the sliders & stuff (I will take the headliner anyway)

As long as I keep the seal retaining piece on the old panel, I can take the other ones. I'll try to find the stuff back for the old one later.

I'll keep in mind to post all of that here, when I do