:( Hi,
I'm doing the second restoration of my '66 El Camino. The electric windows and door locks are of my installation some twenty years ago and the rubber boots between the door and the cowl have deteriorated to the point of needing to be replaced. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble locating these boots in a size that I'm currently using.

I am NOT using standard Chevelle/El Camino boots, as they weren't available at the time. I acquired the boots from some "hot rod" supply or at a swap meet, but I can't remember where. They are about 4 or 5 inches long, are rubber, "bumpy" (sort of corrigated). One end has a rubber extension about 1-1/2" long to allow attaching the wires for security. And the real kicker: they fit 1" holes. I have found some boots for 1.25" holes, but trying to expand the existing 1" holes to 1.25" is just asking for trouble (unless you're a lot smarter or have a lot more tools than I do!).

So, does anyone know where I might find these boots? Or even where I might go look?

Thank you for any help you can offer.
Tom

National Parts Depot www.npdlink.com lists them as part# C-10778-1A at $54.95 a pair.

If you don't find boots to fit, I can think of 2 options to enlarge the 1" holes to 1.25".
Tack weld a piece into the existing hole and use a hole saw to make the new larger hole.
Draw the larger hole over the existing one and go at it with a 1/2 round file or a dremel tool. It won't be hard to remove that amount of material.
Either method will be easier if you remove the doors.

Tom,
A few years ago I installed a power window conversion kit from Electric Life in a 64 GTO. The rubber boots where exactly as you described, now I see they carry a braided cover that looks like it would work and simple to install.
Door wire cover (http://www.electric-life.com/productdetails.asp?cid=860&rp=&yp=64.845)

Hi,
I located a receipt from a swap meet many years ago where I bought the boots. They are a Ford part, number E53B-14A099-AA, as best as I can read the old receipt.

A trip to Sacramento Vintage Ford told me that E53B represents the make (Ford, Mercury, whatever) and type (what a strange numbering system!), but they couldn't tell me what the vehicle was.

So, any takers? I've searched the Internet for this part number, including MotorCraft and other sites, but can't find any reference to this number.

Is there anyone out there who can point me in the right direction to find out what vehicle these came from or where I might buy them?

thanks, Tom

Tom,
The number you have is the engineering number rather than the service part number but I may still be able to point you in the right direction.
E53B breaks down as follows-E indicates the decade being the 1980's, 5 indicates the year as 1985, 3B is an engineering design number rather than model specific. Some examples of model specific numbers would be AZ-Full size Ford, ZZ mustang. The key here is these 2 numbers are always alpha, never a number and alpha .The 14A099 is the basic number or part number group and AA is the design level. Once you understand their part number system it's very easy to work with.If you find a dealership that still has the old micro fiche system and they go to the 14A099 section many times the engineering number(which is what you have) will be listed. Any "old parts guy" can cross reference the engineering number to the service part number which is what you need to order. If you had asked me this question 40 years ago while I worked for Ford, you'd have an answer within the minute.

Hi Don,

Thank YOU very much. Decoding that much of the number really helped me in the search. I've double-checked the "3" in the "E53B", and it sure looks like a "3", so I suppose it is an engineering number, as you say.

I'm assuming from what you said that the "older" microfiche can be referenced via the 14A099 section, if the dealer still has the old 'fiche. I'm going to go to my local Ford dealer, see if they have an "Old Parts Guy" (chuckle, chuckle) that still knows how to look up parts and see what I can find out about ordering the boots.

BTW, do you know anyone on the Internet that can deal with supplying this old Ford part?

Thanks again,
Tom

Hi Don,

Thank YOU very much. Decoding that much of the number really helped me in the search. I've double-checked the "3" in the "E53B", and it sure looks like a "3", so I suppose it is an engineering number, as you say.

I'm assuming from what you said that the "older" microfiche can be referenced via the 14A099 section, if the dealer still has the old 'fiche. I'm going to go to my local Ford dealer, see if they have an "Old Parts Guy" (chuckle, chuckle) that still knows how to look up parts and see what I can find out about ordering the boots.

BTW, do you know anyone on the Internet that can deal with supplying this old Ford part?

Thanks again,
Tom 8-)

Tom----

Where else have I seen this same question asked 8-)

Hi there----remember me????

Bryan

Hi,

Yes, I had posted a query on hotrodders.com also, to which you replied. I admire the amount of time you have to pursue the intellectual endeavor of classic cars, but I have a honey-do list that will still be unfinished when I die, so finding time to work on my Elkie is hard enough. It's through people like you, though, that the rest of us learn things and for that we're all grateful.

Thanks, tom