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My goal is to install the windshield corners and header. The two new corners and header are all from the same maker and yet, not fitting together as nicely as one might imagine (or prefer).
Some of you have a lot of experience with restoration and fitment, and I’m hoping you can help with a course of action that I can do in my home workspace.
The main issue, is getting the PS header end to sit down into the corner bracket. See photos and watch the video if possible.
I will not try to fully understand the problem.....so apologize in advance if I am ZERO help to you.....but from the experiences I have had with similar situations, you have to look at what you have, and what it needs to be come,.....and with steel, it means massaging things with tools, i.e. hammers, bucking bars, into the position it needs to be....and if that isn't enough.....sometimes you have to cut metal,...move it, fill it in, and weld it back together. Its a skill I have witnessed when working with a shop in Florida that built aerobatic aircraft.......ANYTHING can be done once you first have the final vision in mind....and you have the skills and tools to turn what you have into that vision. And you have to have no fear.....you just start doing it. Sorry if that is no help....but it has helped me FIX alot of things like your problem that didn't come perfect from the supplier.
Also remember,....back when these cars were built.....computers didn't design and fabricate parts....humans did.....and every C3 Corvette was hand built......and different than the next one down the line...
And does the header NEED to fit down into the corner bracket???? What doesn't work if it doesn't.?
I agree 100% with your general advice. It’s been my experience that even simple tasks often require problem-solving skills and experimenting.
i did make some progress by finding my disassembly videos and using those as a guide. Then I did some grinding on the corners until the fit was much better.
I will not try to fully understand the problem.....so apologize in advance if I am ZERO help to you.....but from the experiences I have had with similar situations, you have to look at what you have, and what it needs to be come,.....and with steel, it means massaging things with tools, i.e. hammers, bucking bars, into the position it needs to be....and if that isn't enough.....sometimes you have to cut metal,...move it, fill it in, and weld it back together. Its a skill I have witnessed when working with a shop in Florida that built aerobatic aircraft.......ANYTHING can be done once you first have the final vision in mind....and you have the skills and tools to turn what you have into that vision. And you have to have no fear.....you just start doing it. Sorry if that is no help....but it has helped me FIX alot of things like your problem that didn't come perfect from the supplier.
Also remember,....back when these cars were built.....computers didn't design and fabricate parts....humans did.....and every C3 Corvette was hand built......and different than the next one down the line...
And does the header NEED to fit down into the corner bracket???? What doesn't work if it doesn't.?
I would also recommend havings lot of parts jigged in place before welding anything, including as much stuff as you can that is going to interface with these parts. So that it all fits. Hate to find out the side windows don't fit after everything is welded.......but again....lots of parts have adjustability BECAUSE it is not a precise, computer designed car. These were hand built by humans.....and have lots of adjustability built into it for the fact that every car is slighly different.
Yes - I plan to fit the windshield glass and the hard and soft tops before welding. I’ll get it with screws first, just to test, then glue, weld and seal. The doors are completely apart, so I’ll have to trust that the glass will fit, but as you mentioned, both the weatherstripping and the glass have some adjustability built in.
thanks for replying
Originally Posted by CorvettePassion
I would also recommend havings lot of parts jigged in place before welding anything, including as much stuff as you can that is going to interface with these parts. So that it all fits. Hate to find out the side windows don't fit after everything is welded.......but again....lots of parts have adjustability BECAUSE it is not a precise, computer designed car. These were hand built by humans.....and have lots of adjustability built into it for the fact that every car is slighly different.
Yes - I plan to fit the windshield glass and the hard and soft tops before welding. I’ll get it with screws first, just to test, then glue, weld and seal. The doors are completely apart, so I’ll have to trust that the glass will fit, but as you mentioned, both the weatherstripping and the glass have some adjustability built in.
thanks for replying
I have replaced the top bar and corners on my 69 coupe and my 71 convertible. I started with a lot of mesurements and positioned the top bar with the old one as reference, then tacked it temporarly. With the top bar tacked in place I trimmed and massaged the corners to fit. Checked measurements and windshield fitment, then final welding.
Thanks for the pics and description.
Would you agree that the top lip of the header aligns with the top of the A-pilars? That appears to be what I’m seeing - and what I found on mine.
How did you get the corners to fit back into the very top, where all 3 (header, corner, pilar) come together? The corners I got seem to be rounded where they need to fit into that triangular area.
thanks
Originally Posted by Lord Melbury
I have replaced the top bar and corners on my 69 coupe and my 71 convertible. I started with a lot of mesurements and positioned the top bar with the old one as reference, then tacked it temporarly. With the top bar tacked in place I trimmed and massaged the corners to fit. Checked measurements and windshield fitment, then final welding.
Thanks for the pics and description.
Would you agree that the top lip of the header aligns with the top of the A-pilars? That appears to be what I’m seeing - and what I found on mine.
How did you get the corners to fit back into the very top, where all 3 (header, corner, pilar) come together? The corners I got seem to be rounded where they need to fit into that triangular area.
thanks
Yes, agree. Also check with the chrome plated end covers. I fitted the corners with clamps and pressed into the triangular area with a chisel. The area was then filled with body seal before final paint.
I would also recommend havings lot of parts jigged in place before welding anything, including as much stuff as you can that is going to interface with these parts. So that it all fits. Hate to find out the side windows don't fit after everything is welded.......but again....lots of parts have adjustability BECAUSE it is not a precise, computer designed car. These were hand built by humans.....and have lots of adjustability built into it for the fact that every car is slighly different.
Yes but one has to consider these components were in a -precision- jig before they were welded together.
Windshield Frame - Help Needed
