Windscreen Header Rail fittings and fixings

Body parts, seats, dash, headlining, windows and stuff!

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Zaphod
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Windscreen Header Rail fittings and fixings

Post by Zaphod »

I am looking at the final part of my headlining replacement which is the windscreen header rail. What I am wanting to know is how are the tags that locate in the door weather strip fixed, I know they are riveted but from memory they had headlining material under them when I took them off, meaning they were riveted in place after the headlining had been glued on. can this be done before gluing the main part of the side section in place?
As supplementary questions.. what size rivets hold these tags on and what size are the self tapping screws that hold the trim to the body header rail?
Of all the things I have lost I think I miss my mind the most...

1952 MG TD
1957 MGA 1500
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
1975 MG Midget 1500
1990 Lotus Excel

Zag
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Re: Windscreen Header Rail fittings and fixings

Post by Zag »

Originally they were under the headlining, I wasn't confident enough when I did mine (the original was too far gone to use as a template) that I put them on externally after glueing and you don't notice them (IMO).

3.2 mm pop rivets IRRC, mine weren't screwed, just held in place by the door seal (86 my)

BTW I also can't sew so did it in one piece, looks good and no worries with it sticking either

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MetBlue
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Re: Windscreen Header Rail fittings and fixings

Post by MetBlue »

Later cars didn't even use the clips into the door seal, so as long as it looks good, I wouldn't be too bothered.
What goes together.... Must come apart.

Zaphod
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Re: Windscreen Header Rail fittings and fixings

Post by Zaphod »

MetBlue wrote:
Sun Jul 23, 2023 07:47
Later cars didn't even use the clips into the door seal, so as long as it looks good, I wouldn't be too bothered.
How much later, mine is an 89 with the centre bonnet vent, not sure they went much later, and it had them!
Of all the things I have lost I think I miss my mind the most...

1952 MG TD
1957 MGA 1500
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
1975 MG Midget 1500
1990 Lotus Excel

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Alan_M
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Re: Windscreen Header Rail fittings and fixings

Post by Alan_M »

When I did mine I glued the material on and then riveted the plate from the rear with small and shortish alloy pop rivets. The bump under the material wasn’t noticeable.

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