MTFCA Forum

I wanted to reuse the original rain gutters from my coupe, but I have not been able to separate the two pieces. These are shown in the first three photos. I have purchased new aluminum gutters shown in the last two photos.

The primary piece of the original gutter was held in place by tacks. I appears to me that the secondary piece, witch covers the heads of the tacks, "snapped" into that piece. I don't think it was "slid" into the primary piece from the, but I could be wrong.

My question is "How is the replacement gutter installed?"

I did it successfully this way:
First, I painted outer part - etch primer and satin black.
Then formed the lengths to fit the curve of the car. Most of the length has a constant curvature, but it tightens at the rear.
I fastened the inner part in place with small screws. The rearmost screw should be close to the back end. The next one forward should be where the curvature becomes constant.
I removed the rear screw, then slid the outer part over the inner from the back. As the back of the inner isn't fastened, it comes away from the body to follow the curve of the outer.
I pushed the outer part forward beyond the final location to expose the rear screw hole, then put that screw in and moved the outer part back.
I applied a bead of black sealant along the top edge.

I have used the originals many times, the secret is to find a tape measure about the same width and cut it for the nail covers slides right in.

Bruce,
I didnt have original drip rails when I replaced the top for my coupe so used the modern aluminum ones. I installed them without the backer, just the J shape and wood screws. Pre bend them to shape, drill the counter sunk holes, and paint before you put them on your roof. You can keep the ends square or shape them to simulate the old ones with rounded ends. The ends of the drip rail should overlap the top hidem strip by about 1/2 inch like Ford did with the originals.

If you decide not to use your original drip rails please PM me, I would like to buy them from you.

Jeff

I am going with Joe Bell's method. There was no way that I could have got the inner piece out of the original gutter in a reusable condition.

Here is how I got it out. I will follow up with a post when I get the job done.

Here are some photos using the Joe Bell tape measure method. I like it. I don't think I could ever have got the aluminum repo to work.

That looks great.

And pretty ingenious!