Having just fitted a new hood cable (thanks ElizP), before I put the top back on I want to improve some of the other bits of it that have been niggling.
1. Some of the rubber has split as per picture. It's otherwise good condition and I think could just glue back together. What is the best glue/sealant to use; ideally black?
2. The foam inner side padding has always been loose, removing one I can see that the white plastic fixing clips have lots of movement in their housing so there will always be looseness. Someone has used some sort of black mastic type stuff to help that hasn't stuck very well. What's the best stuff to use that can be cheese-wired apart if I need to dismantle down the line?
3. The corners of the pad are both split but not detached. Again, any recommendations on glue to put in the split? Or is something like a bit of fibreglass tissue as a bandage with epoxy resin a better bet? (I'm guessing polyester resin will dissolve the foam stuff? )
4. The nylon spigot covers for the attachment pins are missing on one side. Is this part available or has anyone found something similar that does the job? Hard nylon tube would seem to be closest but the nylon on the other side is longer than the pins they cover. Ie tube might not be strong enough.
5. Looking at the sealing rubber above the front windscreen, the hood material sheathing & front cable might go either to the front of the rubber completely (A) or in a groove in the sealing rubber [B]. In mine it did a bit of both and pushed the rubber out of shape but it's not obvious which way is correct. How should it go?
6. is there an inner part available for the soft-top for sound & heat insulation?
Some non hood questions if I may?
Is there in the Vauxhall/Lotus/other parts bin an alternative key lock mechanism that fits but turns to lock/unlock but returns to original position? The existing lock (on an N/a at least) doesn't lend itself to a fob-activated central locking unit. I'm wondering if for example whatever model the locks came from evolved to different lock mechanisms.
Similarly are there more modern Vauxhall engines that have all the same mountings but 15 years more R&D that can be picked up at the breakers if the engine goes bang? With other cars in the past its worked out cheaper for me to pick up a whole car with a suitable engine just for the engine/gearbox than to spend the money rebuilding. But that's with a much older where parts are scarce.
Sound deadening such as dynamat: At a car show the dynamat sales stand had two cymbals a normal one and one that had four strips 3cm by 15cm on the underside. These made the cymbal sound like a piece of cardboard. Is there concensus on what sized strips go where to quieten things down? I'm not looking to make the whole inside look like a tinfoil santa's grotto.
Comfiest seats?
Many thanks?
