Hi folks
I'm pretty new to the forum and I'm sure this question has been asked before. I have a 69 coupe and the windshieldframe needs to be replaced (rusted out). Are the aftermarket frames any good? and more important does anyone have a good step by step procedure for replacing the frame. Or a site/forum that has some good info on it. I'm guessing that you take your time before you take the old one out, make alot of different measurements from the old frame to reference points on the car, trial fit the new frame, tac it in place, re-check the measurements and stitch weld it in place.

Anyone have any thoughts info?

 

Go an advanced search on the subject, there are a lot of good threads on this. Basically you need to build a Jig that will hold everything in place and change the parts out one at a time. The top, upper corners and sides are available at ZIP, Dr Rebuild, corvette central etc. The lower corners I have not found anywhere yet, but one guy told me he is still working on the tooling anf they will be available about Feb. I'll find the company, they are good guys.

 

I just finished replacing the header and upper corners. The new parts I used were not exactly the same dimensions as the old parts and required alot of fitting and some modification. Before you start taking out your old windshield frame, is the body sitting on the frame? if not, set it back on the frame with good body mounts. I had my body sitting on a body dolly and it was not possible to refit the new parts after removing the origional header because everything moved after I broke the last spot welds loose. The rear of the body will sag quit a bit after the t-bar is broke loose because the way most dollys are designed, they don't support the No. 4 body mount. Thus, it is necessary to have the body on the frame. The new header I purchasd was longer than my origional and I ended up cutting it and removing about .125" and adjusting the angle on one end of the header. It is also wider, front edge to back edge, than the origional. After you are happy with the fit of the header, tack weld it in and drill the header and reinstall the chrome upper corners that the tops latch in to. Also install the stainless t-bar trim before test fitting the tops. It is critical that these be located properly. I found that regardless of what ever jigs and fixtures are used to locate the new header it is most important that the tops fit properly, windows, when up, follow the slight curve of the side frame, and the t-bar (if a t-top)fit properly. I set the windshield in to make sure it fit also. The new corners did not have the proper angle so I drilled out some of the spot welds to adjust the angle. I also drilled some small holes in the corners to plug weld them to the side frames and header so as not to rely totally on the perimeter welds.

 

sounds like you had your hands full. Who did you get your parts from? I think they are all made off shore and are from a single manufacturer. Did you take any reference measurements before you took the old frame off? If you did where did you measure too. I have the body on the frame so sagging shouldn't be a problem but if may sag a bit as I want to take the doors off to make it easier to get to the base of the pillars.

 

I think you are right about the single manufacturer. If you look at the pictures of the header at different vendor's sites, they all are primered the same color and look the same. From another thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1304846 Monty had the same problem with the corners but solved it a little differently. I had plenty of measurements, but when the new header is both longer side to side and wider front to back, you have to decide where to adjust. The hardest decision was what to do with the extra width of the header. If you make the widshield opening correct, then the rear of the header is too far back to fit the tops. I finally decided to locate the rear edge of the header in the proper location and let the windshield opening absorb the difference.

 

I have replaced the frame pieces using the reproduction parts, the fit is less than desireable. Try to get a good frame assembly fron a 'Vette salvage company. I will next time.