Gearbox tunnel sealing

For everything to do with Dolomites, Toledos, FWD cars and Dolomite-based kitcars.
Message
Author
Matt Cotton
TDC Oxfordshire Area Organiser
Posts: 495
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 4:32 pm

Gearbox tunnel sealing

#1 Post by Matt Cotton »

Hi all. I am sure this has been covered many times before, but does anyone have any recommendations for sealing a gearbox tunnel?

I've removed mine to deal with some grot (caused likely by the seal failing in the first place), so after I have cleaned it all up and dealt with the rust I will want to seal it properly.

Any ideas much appreciated.

Kind Regards

MC
Matt Cotton

TDC Oxfordshire Area Organiser.
TDC/TSSC group meeting - 3rd Tuesday of the month


1980 1500HL - OPD
1976 Sprint - SWU
2door-toledo
TDC Member
Posts: 133
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2018 11:38 pm
Location: Berkshire
Contact:

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#2 Post by 2door-toledo »

I bought this for my Toledo, but it's going to be some months before I try it:

https://shop.tssc.org.uk/product/gearbo ... l-seal-kit

I didn't measure to see if 3m was long enough!

I don't think the fixing are any good, but hopefully the seal itself will be.
cleverusername
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 1560
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:04 pm

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#3 Post by cleverusername »

Matt Cotton wrote: Mon Sep 24, 2018 9:04 pm Hi all. I am sure this has been covered many times before, but does anyone have any recommendations for sealing a gearbox tunnel?

I've removed mine to deal with some grot (caused likely by the seal failing in the first place), so after I have cleaned it all up and dealt with the rust I will want to seal it properly.

Any ideas much appreciated.

Kind Regards

MC
What you need is dumdum sealant, but they stopped making it. Basically a flexible sealant that doesn't set.

I am going to try a couple of strips of universal weather seals on mine, to see if they will work.
User avatar
shaunroche
TDC Member
Posts: 1054
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 10:49 pm
Location: Northwich

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#4 Post by shaunroche »

As my Sprint is ostensibly a racer it is stripped bare inside. I have used a type of draught seal tape that is adhesive on one side.

I have been to quite a few very wet events this year, namely Croft at Easter during the Beast from the East and later at 3 Sisters where I was literally going through water splashes.....as there's no carpet I can see if any water comes in....result, no leaks!

Something like this....

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2385847929
Come and see some pretty shoddy, slow driving of a really well prepared competition Sprint here!

http://www.youtube.com/@theunknownworrier

Club Triumph Round Britain Reliability Run 2025 Fund raising page:

https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/n8AYV ... derful.org
GTS290N
TDC Member
Posts: 1022
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:00 pm

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#5 Post by GTS290N »

Old fashioned windscreen sealant, still available from motor factors, in plastic tubes. It's pretty much non-setting.
User avatar
SprintMWU773V
TDC Staffs Area Organiser
Posts: 5429
Joined: Wed Oct 18, 2006 2:08 pm
Location: The Old Asylum

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#6 Post by SprintMWU773V »

Silicone sealant or butyl strip. The strip though is quite messy to remove if you need to whereas silicone sealant often peals away quite nicely.
Mark

1961 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon
1980 Dolomite Sprint project using brand new shell
2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport
2018 Infiniti Q30
User avatar
Mahesh
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 1293
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: London

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#7 Post by Mahesh »

I used a neoprene sponge which is waterproof when compressed, roughly 15mm thick from Ebay.

The self adhesive was not doing a good job, so a bit of glue and some bulldog clips helped stick it down overnight.

The picture was taken after removing the tunnel to change a O/D switch, and put back with no extra works to the strip.
Attachments
20161018_154024.jpg
20161018_154024.jpg (236.38 KiB) Viewed 2477 times
NRW 581W Sprint


On the motorway no one can hear me sing!
Construed as a public service, self preservation in reality.
User avatar
SprintMWU773V
TDC Staffs Area Organiser
Posts: 5429
Joined: Wed Oct 18, 2006 2:08 pm
Location: The Old Asylum

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#8 Post by SprintMWU773V »

The neoprene foam idea is spot on. I think I might go with that.
Mark

1961 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon
1980 Dolomite Sprint project using brand new shell
2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport
2018 Infiniti Q30
User avatar
ham204
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 246
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:14 pm

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#9 Post by ham204 »

cleverusername wrote: Mon Sep 24, 2018 10:52 pm
Matt Cotton wrote: Mon Sep 24, 2018 9:04 pm Hi all. I am sure this has been covered many times before, but does anyone have any recommendations for sealing a gearbox tunnel?

I've removed mine to deal with some grot (caused likely by the seal failing in the first place), so after I have cleaned it all up and dealt with the rust I will want to seal it properly.

Any ideas much appreciated.

Kind Regards

MC
What you need is dumdum sealant, but they stopped making it. Basically a flexible sealant that doesn't set.

I am going to try a couple of strips of universal weather seals on mine, to see if they will work.
There is panel sealant which comes as a tape - a modern version of dumdum
1972 Spitfire MK IV
1972 Stag
1980 Sprint

1962 Land Rover Series 2a
1961 Land Rover Series 2a (under restoration)
1983 Land Rover Series 3

1995 Suzuki Samurai SJ413

1972 MGB GT (banished for being too tight to fit in it)
User avatar
Galileo
TDC Member
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:20 pm
Location: Shetland / here & there

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#10 Post by Galileo »

I would have thought that something modern like Sikaflex 512, Tiger Seal or butyl rubber caulking strips would outperform that old Eldro Dumdum stuff anyway.
Current fleet: '75 Sprint, '73 1850, Daihatsu Fourtrak, Honda CG125, Yamaha Fazer 600, Shetland 570 (yes it's a boat!)

Past fleet: Triumph 2000, Lancia Beta Coupe, BL Mini Clubman, Austin Metro, Vauxhall Cavalier MK1 & MK2, Renault 18 D, Rover 216 GSI, Honda Accord (most expensive car purchase, hated, made out of magnetic metal as only car I've ever been crashed into...4 times), BMW 318, Golf GTi MK3 16v x 3
GTS290N
TDC Member
Posts: 1022
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:00 pm

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#11 Post by GTS290N »

Galileo wrote: Tue Sep 25, 2018 5:46 pm I would have thought that something modern like Sikaflex 512, Tiger Seal or butyl rubber caulking strips would outperform that old Eldro Dumdum stuff anyway.
I don't know anything about Sikaflex 512 but I wouldn't use Tiger Seal - you want to get the tunnel off now and then! :D
User avatar
Galileo
TDC Member
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:20 pm
Location: Shetland / here & there

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#12 Post by Galileo »

Oh yeah, good point! :oops: Forget those first two then, seal really well, permanently... A non setting mastic such as a poly butyl rubber caulking then, I've used IDL99 on my boat windows and deck, definitely waterproof and flexible.
Current fleet: '75 Sprint, '73 1850, Daihatsu Fourtrak, Honda CG125, Yamaha Fazer 600, Shetland 570 (yes it's a boat!)

Past fleet: Triumph 2000, Lancia Beta Coupe, BL Mini Clubman, Austin Metro, Vauxhall Cavalier MK1 & MK2, Renault 18 D, Rover 216 GSI, Honda Accord (most expensive car purchase, hated, made out of magnetic metal as only car I've ever been crashed into...4 times), BMW 318, Golf GTi MK3 16v x 3
Matt Cotton
TDC Oxfordshire Area Organiser
Posts: 495
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 4:32 pm

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#13 Post by Matt Cotton »

Spot on gents, thanks for the replies.

These all look like viable options and I will look at a 'Dum Dum' equivalent or the neoprene option.

Cheers.

MC
Matt Cotton

TDC Oxfordshire Area Organiser.
TDC/TSSC group meeting - 3rd Tuesday of the month


1980 1500HL - OPD
1976 Sprint - SWU
User avatar
PaulB
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 383
Joined: Fri May 06, 2011 6:11 pm

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#14 Post by PaulB »

sprintchris
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 206
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2012 8:22 pm

Re: Gearbox tunnel sealing

#15 Post by sprintchris »

I went through this a few weeks ago, butyl strip was recommended by a member and this I used. 8mm strip, on a roll, warm it up it goes nice and soft, I then bolted it down with 6mm nuts and bolts for added strength. The strip takes up all the varying gaps around the tunnel and never sets so can be easily removed.
I did get some rolls of neoprene foam but found this a little tricky on the varying bends plus then adding all the bolt holes, I did however use the foam on the straight bits at the very top front.

Hope that helps.

Got the butyl from eBay, the branded one in a yellow box if you search.

Chris.
Post Reply