Windshield Installation
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 18
From: cooper city florida
I have got a new windshield in my garage that I was going to do myself. I've never done a windshield and I think I've decided to let the pros do it. One tip I can give you,get your seal and clips from Paragon. I had a guy who restores vettes tell me that they fit,and the imported junk doesn't.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 2
From: Sandia Park NM
I got this tip from the forum, and I'm glad I did.
Be sure and instal your s/s moulding that is located on the bottom and rests on the cowell. If you instal the glass 1st you will have problems seating the s/s moulding. For some reason it will or may hang up on the clips and you'll need the area where the glass is to adjust the fit.
It was easy to remendy but I don't know what I would have done had the window been installed 1st. The info I received from the forum saved my butt, and I remember photos of someone who did it the other way and had taken a rubber mallet or what ever and tried to seat the moulding.
I don't want to here you screwed up, you have been warned.
Dennis
Be sure and instal your s/s moulding that is located on the bottom and rests on the cowell. If you instal the glass 1st you will have problems seating the s/s moulding. For some reason it will or may hang up on the clips and you'll need the area where the glass is to adjust the fit.
It was easy to remendy but I don't know what I would have done had the window been installed 1st. The info I received from the forum saved my butt, and I remember photos of someone who did it the other way and had taken a rubber mallet or what ever and tried to seat the moulding.
I don't want to here you screwed up, you have been warned.
Dennis
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 993
Likes: 95
From: Captain Cook Hawaii
I am going to pull and re-seal my 63 vert windshield. I understand the tip about installing the lower moulding first. My question is the proceedure in the shop manual that calls for bedding compound in the windshield channel before the glass and rubber install and then more bedding compound prior to installing the lower moulding. Do you bed the moulding when you install the moulding first?
Thx
rene
Thx
rene
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 2
From: Sandia Park NM
I had the glass installed by a glass man who had 40 + years experience and had recently worked on one. I'm sure any one who does this type of work could handle it. It been over a year and I don't remember if he used the material you spoke off. I do remember a sealant being used, but that's about all I remember about it.
Dennis
Dennis
Pro
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 735
Likes: 174
From: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
The services manual has a good overview of the W/S installation.
You will need a length of strong cord (long enough to go around the perimeter of the W/S plus 2') and a helper.
Install the weatherstrip to the glass making sure you seat the channel all the way around. Wrap the cord around the perimeter and stuff it into the outside channel. Start at the bottom center, leave about a foot of slack and tuck it in all around, leaving about a foot at the end.
Now for the trick. Set the base of the window at the lower center of the opening, fitting the rubber channel over the metal with the ends of the cord on the inside (still centered). Gently pull the two ends of cord from the center toward the outside of the car. This will pull the weatherstrip 'flap' over the metal. Work slowly pushing the W/S down while pulling the cord ends one side at a time.
The cord trick has worked for me several times. Done properly, it's about a 30 minute job.
You will need a length of strong cord (long enough to go around the perimeter of the W/S plus 2') and a helper.
Install the weatherstrip to the glass making sure you seat the channel all the way around. Wrap the cord around the perimeter and stuff it into the outside channel. Start at the bottom center, leave about a foot of slack and tuck it in all around, leaving about a foot at the end.
Now for the trick. Set the base of the window at the lower center of the opening, fitting the rubber channel over the metal with the ends of the cord on the inside (still centered). Gently pull the two ends of cord from the center toward the outside of the car. This will pull the weatherstrip 'flap' over the metal. Work slowly pushing the W/S down while pulling the cord ends one side at a time.
The cord trick has worked for me several times. Done properly, it's about a 30 minute job.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
Greg,
Mark is exactly right! A length of cord and 1 helper will make the windshield almost pop in by itself. after you put the cord into the groove, brush the entire inner flap and groove with soapy water. Just pull a little on each cord end while someone presses in on the windshield from the outside. The flap will slip right over the flange just like a tire going on a rim! The lower moulding trick may work on a convertible, by won't work on a coupe, as the lower moulding is split in the middle and also covers the sides of the windshield. Make sure that you get all the clips in place before installing the glass, because the is no way to get them in after. Heed the advice about the domestic Paragon clips, they are the only clip to use!
Regards, John McGraw
Mark is exactly right! A length of cord and 1 helper will make the windshield almost pop in by itself. after you put the cord into the groove, brush the entire inner flap and groove with soapy water. Just pull a little on each cord end while someone presses in on the windshield from the outside. The flap will slip right over the flange just like a tire going on a rim! The lower moulding trick may work on a convertible, by won't work on a coupe, as the lower moulding is split in the middle and also covers the sides of the windshield. Make sure that you get all the clips in place before installing the glass, because the is no way to get them in after. Heed the advice about the domestic Paragon clips, they are the only clip to use!
Regards, John McGraw
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 7
From: Coralville Iowa
Greg,
Mark is exactly right! A length of cord and 1 helper will make the windshield almost pop in by itself. after you put the cord into the groove, brush the entire inner flap and groove with soapy water. Just pull a little on each cord end while someone presses in on the windshield from the outside. The flap will slip right over the flange just like a tire going on a rim! The lower moulding trick may work on a convertible, by won't work on a coupe, as the lower moulding is split in the middle and also covers the sides of the windshield. Make sure that you get all the clips in place before installing the glass, because the is no way to get them in after. Heed the advice about the domestic Paragon clips, they are the only clip to use!
Regards, John McGraw
Mark is exactly right! A length of cord and 1 helper will make the windshield almost pop in by itself. after you put the cord into the groove, brush the entire inner flap and groove with soapy water. Just pull a little on each cord end while someone presses in on the windshield from the outside. The flap will slip right over the flange just like a tire going on a rim! The lower moulding trick may work on a convertible, by won't work on a coupe, as the lower moulding is split in the middle and also covers the sides of the windshield. Make sure that you get all the clips in place before installing the glass, because the is no way to get them in after. Heed the advice about the domestic Paragon clips, they are the only clip to use!
Regards, John McGraw
I installed auto glass in college back in the early 70's for 4 years and managed the same auto glass shop for several years after. Use some GOOP or comperable in the rubber groove that you have installed the cord. It will make this rubber and windshield slip in like butter and it is easily cleaned up after. Only use sealant if you notice a leak after the fact and only use a butyl rubber liquid sealant. You can buy an old style pump oil can to dispense it and you can put a soft rubber tip on the end if you have to seal the glass to the rubber.It cleans up with mineral spirits. Remember...... never use metal tools to pry againt the glass. Us a soft poly stick which you can get from an auto glass shop or use a plastic bondo spreader if in a pinch.
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