It started with the t-tops leaking. I could never get the damm things to seal. I bought new weather strips and that didn't work. I tried a set of OEM glass tops, and they didn't seal. I started questioning the frame and integrity of top itself. So I pulled all the moldlings and I found out that the t-bar frame was not original. Someone had replaced it at some point in time. I've heard of people crushing the tops on car lifts when you have low ceilings. I used to replace the windshield frames on C3 when they rusted out and the t-frame was always filled with a puddy. This one was empty and all the welds were mig, which should have been spot tacks. So I started looking for more stuff and I found the revel molding clips were loose and that's when everything went to hell. I tried to tighten up the screws, even though you can't do that with the windshield installed and ...crack. $hit. It gets worse, much worse. I've pulled many windows out and I even have special wire for cutting out the seal. Well, I guess there are two ways to install windshield and who ever did this one used a urathane chaulk that is like concrete. This stuff is about twice as hard as silicone and holds onto the glass and the frame like it was welded in. It took me about 4 hours, four bandages, and one box to hold all the broken glass. What a pain in the ***. The new window is going in tomorrow and I'm installing it with the old fasion soft butal seal and pinchweld primer. I guess the only silver lining was that I found a 6" strip that was not sealed and probably leaked and now I can tighten those screws.

 

Tom

it's always something isn't it??
As soon as you try to do ONE thing you might as well plan for doing a half dozen or so because that's what it ends up being anyway.....

 

My 79 started with a weatherstrip leak at the back of the door when I got it 3 mos ago.(suuure)
It has all new weatherstrips,new windshield,700.00 at the bodyshop filling leaky seams,aligning windows,installing the windshield,and 20 hrs of my time making sure ALL dribbles are stopped before I install the 4k of interior parts I have in boxes all over the garage.
Total.....14 different water leaks from the door hinge/firewall areas.
mainly on the passenger side.
The thing leaked like a sub with a screen door before and the carpet was rotted,the door drains were plugged with leaves......Amazingly NO RUST even here in INDIANA!!!!!!

 

Boy I'm glad those things never happen to me, everything just takes a few minutes to do and so easy to remove and install.

My motto is never worry just use a bigger hammer.

 

What are you plans to fix the birdcage?

 

Well, true to form, I got a new windshield (PPG brand) and proceded to install the glass. When I set the window in I noticed the top and bottom was seated down, but the vertical sides were still 1/4" away from contacting the seal. It would sweeze down when I pushed on the window, but sprung back when I let go. I've never had any problem with window before, I just dropped them in and it worked. Not this time. I thought if I clamped it in very lightly on both sides it would work. I used two strips of wood to protect the glass and clamped the glass down. I worked on other stuff for about six hours and everything was fine. I decided to leave it clamped over night but when I came back in the morning, the glass was cracked. I took the clamps off and the window popped up on the side just like it was when I started. I called the glass store and told I guy I needed a new window. He said they would call LOF and get a new one. I asked why I got a PPG and he said "I don't know, we get ours from LOF.

 

I had broken my winshield by hitting my rear view mirror with my ***. It took a nice piece of glass with it. Called the glass man and had a new windshield installed. Top notch job was done. Installer want to reinstall the trim, but I told him i would take care of it. While installing the drivers piller I used to long of a screw to hold the trim and nicked the winshield. Yep it cracked. I'll be replacing it this fall.



It just shows how much love we have for these cars. I tell everyone it is the only car you have to do things at least twice to get it right.

BTW your radiator is the only thing I did not have to do twice. It went in fine the first time.

 

Glass does not like a pressure differential across its surface. I learnes this building stained glass, some of that stuff is $100 for a 1 sq ft piece. So I learned to pay attention very quickly. The glass needs to lay in position on its own. If clamping is necessary it should be to just hold it in place. If the Window does not fit against the frame evenly all the way around you need to fill it in instead of forcing it. Guess you knew that tho.
Good luck with the next one

 

Bummer Tom ... but all the glass installers that I talked to would highly
recommend a urethane sealer. You are right ... sets up solid.
However, this is the selling point of it: It ties the whole WS frame
together with the glass and makes it much more solid ... and no glass
popping out during an accident.

Only trouble is if the installer pushes the glass too far into the
pinchweld ... then the stainless trim will not sit against the glass.

My replacement is PPG ... as good quality as LOF, IMHO.

Good luck.

 

Sounds like my project "Pandora's Box". A few years ago, I went to tighten up the parking brake cable, and ended up replacing the entire suspension and all four wheels. (One thing led to another).