Comments from experienced windshield replacer
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 38
From: Morristown MN
Comments from experienced windshield replacer
Have read all the different threads pertaining to windshield replacement, and am preparing (myself!) to remove the windshield frame from my '62 tomorrow night. I have not even crawled underneath the dash to see what I am up against, but am confident that I should be able to get it off over the course of the weekend. What I am asking of anyone who has removed one, is do you have any words of wisdom before I start? Where are the struggles going to be? I am aware of the historical problem of the tabs breaking off...should I have any other concerns? My new windshield has arrived, and I have a friend who has an auto glass installation business who has offered to help install the windshield in the frame, but my intentions are to remove it from the car by myself.
Any advice, folks?
Any advice, folks?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 38
From: Morristown MN
I am looking for experienced comments!
Have read all the different threads pertaining to windshield replacement, and am preparing (myself!) to remove the windshield frame from my '62 tomorrow night. I have not even crawled underneath the dash to see what I am up against, but am confident that I should be able to get it off over the course of the weekend. What I am asking of anyone who has removed one, is do you have any words of wisdom before I start? Where are the struggles going to be? I am aware of the historical problem of the tabs breaking off...should I have any other concerns? My new windshield has arrived, and I have a friend who has an auto glass installation business who has offered to help install the windshield in the frame, but my intentions are to remove it from the car by myself.
Any advice, folks?
Any advice, folks?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
Pull seats
Remove ALL nuts
Pull up on windshield, have second set of hands to assist with stability of lift. One person can lift but cheap insurance to have second set of hands if needed. Stand up with one leg each side of trans tunnel and lift straight up.
Remove ALL nuts
Pull up on windshield, have second set of hands to assist with stability of lift. One person can lift but cheap insurance to have second set of hands if needed. Stand up with one leg each side of trans tunnel and lift straight up.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 38
From: Morristown MN
Thanks for the comments. The interior is gutted, including seats, carpet, ductwork, etc. All bolts should be accessible. Just hoping everything goes smooth, since this is the first time I am removing one.
Again, I appreciate the fact you have taken the time to assist a stranger.
Again, I appreciate the fact you have taken the time to assist a stranger.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
your biggest challenge is going to be the reassembly.... the first being to get the new glass weatherstrip centered side-to-side, then you have to do the same (centering) with all the channels and trim before putting the end posts back on.
patience is your friend...
Bill
patience is your friend...
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Bill
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
As may have been mentioned...if the dash pad is even close to bad NOW is the time to replace it...the leading edge of the vinyl goes deep into the windshield channel to do it properly. I put a double stack of lawn chair cushions on the hood of the car and was able to sorta 'roll' the windshield forward onto those rather than 'clean and jerk' it straight up. Much easier on the back and my nerves...
If you zoom in on this pic you can see nearly all the bolts that you have to deal with..
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; May 18, 2012 at 07:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 38
From: Morristown MN
Thanks for the suggestions. Am going to start on it tonight. Hopefully can get all nuts removed without breaking anything....will have help when the time comes to lift it off. Since car is in primer, the windshield will stay off until paint is done.
My dash pad is in beautiful condition...EXCEPT for the (supposed) dealer installed snaps for a 2 piece tonneau cover. I have removed all the snaps from the body, and they will stay off. Car even came with the tonneau cover, but it is something I was not interested in keeping, and will see if someone out there would have a use for it. SO, now I have a bit of time to decide if I should replace the otherwise-fine dash pad.
About the time you think you have finished "placing orders", another list begins!!!!!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend, all.
My dash pad is in beautiful condition...EXCEPT for the (supposed) dealer installed snaps for a 2 piece tonneau cover. I have removed all the snaps from the body, and they will stay off. Car even came with the tonneau cover, but it is something I was not interested in keeping, and will see if someone out there would have a use for it. SO, now I have a bit of time to decide if I should replace the otherwise-fine dash pad.
About the time you think you have finished "placing orders", another list begins!!!!!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend, all.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,390
Likes: 1,185
From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Charles
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
Thanks for the suggestions. Am going to start on it tonight. Hopefully can get all nuts removed without breaking anything....will have help when the time comes to lift it off. Since car is in primer, the windshield will stay off until paint is done.
My dash pad is in beautiful condition...EXCEPT for the (supposed) dealer installed snaps for a 2 piece tonneau cover. I have removed all the snaps from the body, and they will stay off. Car even came with the tonneau cover, but it is something I was not interested in keeping, and will see if someone out there would have a use for it. SO, now I have a bit of time to decide if I should replace the otherwise-fine dash pad.
About the time you think you have finished "placing orders", another list begins!!!!!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend, all.
My dash pad is in beautiful condition...EXCEPT for the (supposed) dealer installed snaps for a 2 piece tonneau cover. I have removed all the snaps from the body, and they will stay off. Car even came with the tonneau cover, but it is something I was not interested in keeping, and will see if someone out there would have a use for it. SO, now I have a bit of time to decide if I should replace the otherwise-fine dash pad.
About the time you think you have finished "placing orders", another list begins!!!!!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend, all.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
My '61 had a tonneau cover (long gone)...but I left the snaps in the body (not in the dash pad)...I was afraid they would print through on the repaint. Count yourself lucky...some Bubbas put snaps right through the chrome door posts at times -- ruining them...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
I did mine myself many years ago and most recently fitted my hardtop to the car. One thing to watch out for is the number of shims (rubber) on each side of the frame under the posts. They play a key role in determining the angle of the windshield assembly as it's mounted to the car which will influence the gaps with the door posts and how the top fits. 
Pilot Dan
Pilot Dan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 38
From: Morristown MN
All this info is going to help. Since I have not ordered the windshield gasket set yet, I should ask if there is a preferred source. I have ordered many, many parts from Corvette Central, and will not hesitate to order one from them if they are a quality product. Any suggestions?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 38
From: Morristown MN
Mission accomplished!
Took about an hour to get the windshield frame off. Found all pieces to be intact. The shims that were mentioned-all I found was one gasket on the end of the left corner-none on the right side. Were these the shims? The cowl gasket was in place.
Corvette Rubber was suggested for the gasket set-tried to search it, but can't find it. Is it a brand that is carried by a specific source?
I really appreciate the info I am receiving from this forum...Thanks!
Corvette Rubber was suggested for the gasket set-tried to search it, but can't find it. Is it a brand that is carried by a specific source?
I really appreciate the info I am receiving from this forum...Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 690
Likes: 142
You probably have these 2 articles already if you read all the installation threads, but I found these useful when I did my windshield not too long ago.
http://www.sssacc.org/Tips/Windshiel...eplacement.pdf
http://www.gatewaycashregister.com/car_site.html
The only thing I would add is to take pictures on each step of disassembly, especially close up pictures. Pay particular attention as you disassemble how the pieces fit together or how they are aligned, etc.. What seems simple or trivial when you are disassembling somehow turns into a headache when you are trying to reassemble it. Your pictures will jog your memory on how it came apart so that it goes back together relatively easy.
Terry
http://www.sssacc.org/Tips/Windshiel...eplacement.pdf
http://www.gatewaycashregister.com/car_site.html
The only thing I would add is to take pictures on each step of disassembly, especially close up pictures. Pay particular attention as you disassemble how the pieces fit together or how they are aligned, etc.. What seems simple or trivial when you are disassembling somehow turns into a headache when you are trying to reassemble it. Your pictures will jog your memory on how it came apart so that it goes back together relatively easy.
Terry