Installing 1979 rear window (hatch)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 3
From: Houston TX
Installing 1979 rear window (hatch)
Need some advice on installing the rear window. I found the kit to install the rear glass in the corvette store here. Any body done this before, I know its a large peice of glass but I will inlist the help of a couple friends during installation. I was just hoping I could get some instruction on actually installing the glass. Anything can help. Thanks!
If someone provides directions I will take pics and write up formal easy to read instructions, I have noticed no tech help articles have been submitted for the last year or so. I have some projects on my car that I need to work on and wouldn't mind starting this up again.
If someone provides directions I will take pics and write up formal easy to read instructions, I have noticed no tech help articles have been submitted for the last year or so. I have some projects on my car that I need to work on and wouldn't mind starting this up again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Originally Posted by uhvette
Need some advice on installing the rear window. I found the kit to install the rear glass in the corvette store here. Any body done this before, I know its a large peice of glass but I will inlist the help of a couple friends during installation. I was just hoping I could get some instruction on actually installing the glass. Anything can help. Thanks!
If someone provides directions I will take pics and write up formal easy to read instructions, I have noticed no tech help articles have been submitted for the last year or so. I have some projects on my car that I need to work on and wouldn't mind starting this up again.
If someone provides directions I will take pics and write up formal easy to read instructions, I have noticed no tech help articles have been submitted for the last year or so. I have some projects on my car that I need to work on and wouldn't mind starting this up again.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
After the 82 CEs came out, there was an aftermarket kit to retrofit the opening hatch to the 78-82 big back window cars. It used GM parts and the back glass from the CE. One of the Corvette mags (Corvette Fever or Vette Magazine, can't remember which) has a how-to article on this swap in a back issue. You can purchase the '82 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and see how the installation was done on the CEs. AIM will also include the original part numbers and installation notes.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
I'm swapping out my original hinges on my 82 CE as we speak.On the 82CE there are mounting brackets up in the top of the body for the hinges so I'm not sure how yours would mount without all that stuff in there from the factory.I suppose your kit has some sort of mount.Let me know how it's going and maybe I can be of some help.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
From: Hanover Maryland
Someone did have a post about their hinges they were fabricating from billet. The CE stelle hinges stretched over time from the pressure of the gas struts pushing the window backwards when in the closed position.
I just met a local fellow the other day with an all original low mileage CE and his rear window was pushed backwards at least 1/4 of an inch. This may not seem like a big deal, but it wreaks havoc on the gasket and water leaks!
I have an 82 Coupe, not CE, that was fitted prior to my purchasing it 1 1/2 years ago with the rear hatch. Whoever did the install did a top notch job! Looks factory original, but it does have the chrome hinges.
