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58 windshield assembly issues

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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 09:51 AM
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Default 58 windshield assembly issues

Just put 58 windshield together; glass, rubber, trim, etc.

Rubber gasket for glass from Dr. Rebuild, it snapped on tightly but the lower glass area the rubber notch is wider than the glass, so it wobbles quite a bit. I thought when the lower metal was installed it would sort of snap tight. But the lower trim still flexes and is not tight to the rubber / glass.

And although centered correctly with the end posts on the inner rubber (part over the dash pad) is short on each side by about 1/2", it's short of reaching to cover the posts base.

Strange, the posts and top metal frame are tight and secure.

Wrong rubber gasket? And is the lower metal trim sloppy until the whole unit is bolted to the car?

Thanks.
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 10:07 AM
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I used 3m strip caulk embedded in the bottom of the seal to keep it in place during assembly. I reused the rubber seal that was on the car and it was loosey goosey as well.

I also used 3m strip caulk around the T bolts on the metal trim plate to keep them in place when installing the w/s.
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 01:00 PM
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Well turns out Corvette Rubber Co. who makes the windshield gasket had some that were too short to cover the end posts. Even found an article by a NCRS member with same problem. Even Rich5962 may be aware of this.

So, Corvette Rubber is sending me a new one. Hope this is the answer.
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by DRC
Well turns out Corvette Rubber Co. who makes the windshield gasket had some that were too short to cover the end posts. Even found an article by a NCRS member with same problem. Even Rich5962 may be aware of this.

So, Corvette Rubber is sending me a new one. Hope this is the answer.
You will have much better results using the new gasket from CRC. Both Rich and I worked with them to get the lengths correct. My 58 has the first prototype gasket installed in it.

A couple weeks back I help a friend replace the one in his 58. I told him to order it direct from CRC which he did. Came out perfect and he is now down in Lakeland going for a PV on his car.

Tom
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by thoyer
You will have much better results using the new gasket from CRC. Both Rich and I worked with them to get the lengths correct. My 58 has the first prototype gasket installed in it.

A couple weeks back I help a friend replace the one in his 58. I told him to order it direct from CRC which he did. Came out perfect and he is now down in Lakeland going for a PV on his car.

Tom
I'm hoping this is the answer. Have to pull the whole thing apart and start over. I'm still baffled that the lower base area of the gasket notch is wider than the windshield thickness. Just seems odd.

I hope the lower metal / trim piece now snaps on and is secure. That piece just did not come out right so far, the stainless trim piece flexed around and did not set well onto the rubber in the center area.

It would be much easier if a 1958 Windshield Expert showed up at my house!!!
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by thoyer
You will have much better results using the new gasket from CRC. Both Rich and I worked with them to get the lengths correct. My 58 has the first prototype gasket installed in it.

A couple weeks back I help a friend replace the one in his 58. I told him to order it direct from CRC which he did. Came out perfect and he is now down in Lakeland going for a PV on his car.

Tom
Do you happen to know what the NEWER gasket OL or measurements would be compared to the 1st design? I purchased one for future use around when this was an issue and would like to measure it to make sure. Thanks. Pilot Dan
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Pilot Dan
Do you happen to know what the NEWER gasket OL or measurements would be compared to the 1st design? I purchased one for future use around when this was an issue and would like to measure it to make sure. Thanks. Pilot Dan
I will measure the one now after I remove it, then measure the new one coming.

No charge for all my knowledge & information.
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by DRC
I will measure the one now after I remove it, then measure the new one coming.

No charge for all my knowledge & information.
Take a look at this post. In post #12 I have some measurements listed.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ip-issues.html

I'm just north of Phila. If you are not too far, I wouldn't mind a short road trip......

The lower stainless trim should hold itself to the lower steel channel. You need to use a rubber mallet to gently pound the lower channel onto the gasket and windshield.

Rich5962 did a very detailed write up on how to change the gasket. Do a search and you can easily find it.

Tom
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Pilot Dan
Do you happen to know what the NEWER gasket OL or measurements would be compared to the 1st design? I purchased one for future use around when this was an issue and would like to measure it to make sure. Thanks. Pilot Dan
Dan,

Here is a link to and article I did for our local chapter newsletter. Includes my length measurements and some before and after pics.

http://clubs.hemmings.com/DelValNCRS...Feb%202013.pdf

Tom
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 08:54 PM
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Is this it Tom?

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ip-issues.html
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Solid Axle Guy
Direct link to Rich's web site. Scroll down and the link to the tutorial is on the left.

Tom
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by thoyer
Direct link to Rich's web site. Scroll down and the link to the tutorial is on the left.

Tom
Thxs Tom
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Old Jan 23, 2015 | 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by thoyer
Take a look at this post. In post #12 I have some measurements listed.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ip-issues.html

I'm just north of Phila. If you are not too far, I wouldn't mind a short road trip......

The lower stainless trim should hold itself to the lower steel channel. You need to use a rubber mallet to gently pound the lower channel onto the gasket and windshield.

Rich5962 did a very detailed write up on how to change the gasket. Do a search and you can easily find it.

Tom
Thanks a lot Tom. Kinda half kidding but if you are ever in the area would be glad to have you stop by for a .

I do have the Rich5962 printed out, have to take a close look on the lower stainless after I take everything apart for the new rubber coming from CRC.

You guys did a great job getting CRC to fix the issue.

Thanks again.

Doug
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Old Jan 23, 2015 | 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by DRC
You guys did a great job getting CRC to fix the issue.
CRC supplies gaskets to most of the vendors out there. They made some changes to the gasket over the years based on vendor feedback and ultimately ended up producing a gasket that was too long.

To their credit, Mike and his crew at CRC were more then willing to make the necessary changes to get the gasket back to where it fit correctly. Very responsive and very professional about the whole thing.

The original GM gaskets have two small ribs in them on the bottom flap. Barely noticeable unless you are looking for them I asked if they could include them on the gasket but that would have meant retooling their extrusion which was not something they wanted to do at this time. Either way, this new gasket should be circulating through the vendors by now and we should not see too many more loose gaskets or wrinkling in the lower flap around the bends of the windshield frame.

Tom
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Old Jan 23, 2015 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by thoyer
CRC supplies gaskets to most of the vendors out there. They made some changes to the gasket over the years based on vendor feedback and ultimately ended up producing a gasket that was too long.

To their credit, Mike and his crew at CRC were more then willing to make the necessary changes to get the gasket back to where it fit correctly. Very responsive and very professional about the whole thing.

The original GM gaskets have two small ribs in them on the bottom flap. Barely noticeable unless you are looking for them I asked if they could include them on the gasket but that would have meant retooling their extrusion which was not something they wanted to do at this time. Either way, this new gasket should be circulating through the vendors by now and we should not see too many more loose gaskets or wrinkling in the lower flap around the bends of the windshield frame.

Tom
Thanks Tom, I'll measure. Last one I installed was an NOS GM which fit perfect, but exhibited some cracks in the outer perimeter within a few years.

Last edited by Pilot Dan; Jan 23, 2015 at 10:16 PM.
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Old Jan 24, 2015 | 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by thoyer
CRC supplies gaskets to most of the vendors out there. They made some changes to the gasket over the years based on vendor feedback and ultimately ended up producing a gasket that was too long.

To their credit, Mike and his crew at CRC were more then willing to make the necessary changes to get the gasket back to where it fit correctly. Very responsive and very professional about the whole thing.

The original GM gaskets have two small ribs in them on the bottom flap. Barely noticeable unless you are looking for them I asked if they could include them on the gasket but that would have meant retooling their extrusion which was not something they wanted to do at this time. Either way, this new gasket should be circulating through the vendors by now and we should not see too many more loose gaskets or wrinkling in the lower flap around the bends of the windshield frame.

Tom
Ok, new gasket arrived from CRC, it's cold in the box and initial quick measurement looks like 64 1/2 " from the flat bottom tabs. Wondering if this is going to be enough to cover the end post bases.

And the bottom area again is about 1/4" wide gap, wonder again how this will fit tight to the glass.

I'll try to post a picture.

Thanks.
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Old Jan 24, 2015 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by DRC
Ok, new gasket arrived from CRC, it's cold in the box and initial quick measurement looks like 64 1/2 " from the flat bottom tabs. Wondering if this is going to be enough to cover the end post bases.

And the bottom area again is about 1/4" wide gap, wonder again how this will fit tight to the glass.

I'll try to post a picture.

Thanks.
Here is picture.
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Old Jan 24, 2015 | 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by DRC
Here is picture.
They are like that. Start at the bottom center and work your way around each side. Should fit fine.
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Old Jan 24, 2015 | 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by thoyer
They are like that. Start at the bottom center and work your way around each side. Should fit fine.
Ok, but I am going to remove the one on the windshield now and compare it to the new one, if the measurement (length) of the flat portion that rests on the dash pad is the same then I will be short of reaching the end posts again. My quick measurement of the new one, flat portion that rests on the dash pad was about 64 1/2".

Thanks.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by DRC
Ok, but I am going to remove the one on the windshield now and compare it to the new one, if the measurement (length) of the flat portion that rests on the dash pad is the same then I will be short of reaching the end posts again. My quick measurement of the new one, flat portion that rests on the dash pad was about 64 1/2".

Thanks.
You can't always judge it by the uninstalled length. It will stretch (or it should....) when you put it on.
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