Windshield mldg gap ? coupe
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 171
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From: Boston ma
Windshield mldg gap ? coupe
Can someone send me a picture with t-tops removed showing the spacing between the top windshield moulding and the header panel moulding ? ( exterior looking down at the car )I seem to have a gap between the two that's filled with sealant...doesn't look right !
car is 1970
Thanks
car is 1970
Thanks
Last edited by fuelie65; Jan 4, 2009 at 11:23 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
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From: Schererville IN
My 79 is the same way. We had the glass replaced and the glass company even said no adjustment possible. The glass and trim fit perfect in the middle above the mirror, but the outside corners are lower on the glass trim than the chrome header trim by about 1/4 inch. Filled the gap with black window sealent.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
The OE glass that was removed fit the same way.
The glass seems to have a different curve than the top header trim. If the sides where lifted to match the top outside corners, the center would be too high.
My glass is centered side to side and top to bottom. It also has a foam spacer between the glass and birdcage. 1/4-3/8 or so thick. The trim across the top of the glass fits perfect in the middle, but is low at the top outside corners. It was like that with the original dated glass and with the GM replacement glass. The glass installer has been doing Vettes for 20 years and said he sees this all the time.
My T-tops fit perfectly as do the side glass to the A Pillars.
Seems to be the way some if not all where made.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,197
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi F65,
Although I don't have a good photo of the center, here are some pictures that may help. If the windshield header trim is on tight, and the long thin piece of trim is locked BEHIND the trim clips, the gap should be no more than a 1/16 ". There was silver sealer used at the factory to seal this gap.
First... the gap on the drivers side
Second... the silver sealer applied in the gap on the passenger's side.
Third... the gap filled with the silver sealer on the header trim.
It takes a bit of fitting but it is possible to get the gap quite even all the way across.
Regards,
Alan
Although I don't have a good photo of the center, here are some pictures that may help. If the windshield header trim is on tight, and the long thin piece of trim is locked BEHIND the trim clips, the gap should be no more than a 1/16 ". There was silver sealer used at the factory to seal this gap.
First... the gap on the drivers side
Second... the silver sealer applied in the gap on the passenger's side.
Third... the gap filled with the silver sealer on the header trim.
It takes a bit of fitting but it is possible to get the gap quite even all the way across.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 171
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From: Boston ma
Thanks
Thanks Alan,
Those pitures are perfect. My 70 has a gap almost 1/4 inch between those mouldings out by the pillar ! How do you deal with that ? The header is good ( no rot, only some pin holes on the corners that I am replacing )
Thanks
Steve
Those pitures are perfect. My 70 has a gap almost 1/4 inch between those mouldings out by the pillar ! How do you deal with that ? The header is good ( no rot, only some pin holes on the corners that I am replacing )
Thanks
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,197
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Steve,
It's the trim clips that hold the long thin piece of trim in place. So the windshield header needs to be free of all sealer and rust build-up so that when the clips are mounted they are TIGHT against the vertical surface of the header. Its easy to get that piece of trim BEHIND the clips at each corner but in FRONT of the clips in the center.
You also need to make sure the large header ss trim is properly clipped over the front edge of the header.
This picture just barely shows the silver sealer in the gap.
When you hold the 2 pieces of trim together (off the car) do the two arcs match. If they do you should be able to get the gap right on the car.
If the small piece of trim is tipped down (towards the glass) it will open up the apparent gap. This can happen if the the windshield has been replaced with the lower priced imported glass that's thinner.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
PS: Are the ends of the thin strip UNDER the tops of the SS trim on the A-pillers? Sometimes I see cars where it's not and it should be.
It's the trim clips that hold the long thin piece of trim in place. So the windshield header needs to be free of all sealer and rust build-up so that when the clips are mounted they are TIGHT against the vertical surface of the header. Its easy to get that piece of trim BEHIND the clips at each corner but in FRONT of the clips in the center.
You also need to make sure the large header ss trim is properly clipped over the front edge of the header.
This picture just barely shows the silver sealer in the gap.
When you hold the 2 pieces of trim together (off the car) do the two arcs match. If they do you should be able to get the gap right on the car.
If the small piece of trim is tipped down (towards the glass) it will open up the apparent gap. This can happen if the the windshield has been replaced with the lower priced imported glass that's thinner.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
PS: Are the ends of the thin strip UNDER the tops of the SS trim on the A-pillers? Sometimes I see cars where it's not and it should be.
Last edited by Alan 71; Jan 6, 2009 at 05:50 PM.
