After Market Windshield Frame Fit
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
After Market Windshield Frame Fit
Has anyone used the after market windshield frames parts? I am replacing the top centre section and 2 upper corner pieces on my 69 coupe. The parts kind of fit but not very well. The top piece seems too long or the curve is right. The same with the corner pieces. I have things clamped in place loosely with the windshield sitting in place. It looks like I might get things to work if I cut about 1 inch of the end of the top centre piece. Has anyone any used these parts? What did you do to make things fit? How did things work out? Pics would be a help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
There is always minor trimming and fitting to be done, even if you could get genuine GM parts, thats why you must record as many measurements as possible before removing old parts. pull out the grinder and Zip cut wheel until you like what you see. I installed a solid used frame and can tell you that the cormers where not identical,, so even my measurements have some eyeballing. If your really worried, you can maybe tack all the parts in and reinstall the moldings to see how it fits. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
I have installed the top piece and found it to be too long and mis-shaped at the corners. It was a pita to get the chrome pcs to match up to the tops and get the fit of the chrome right along the top. Be carefull. You will have to do a lot of modifying and measuring to get it right.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Waverly NY
I just put the upper corners in my 78 this weekend. I got them from Paragon, they fit very nicely. I did not have to replace the center bar, and the neds of the center bar were welded to the sides of the windsheild support, right at the ends of each. Maybe the 78 is different than yours, or maybe a vert is differnt than a coupe.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
It seems like you had the same problem I am having. The top piece is too long. I clamped everything in place and it looks like I'm going to have a problem getting the chrome pcs to fit. Did you have to much grinding and cutting to make things fit? If so where did most of the material have to be cut?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
Has anyone used the after market windshield frames parts? I am replacing the top centre section and 2 upper corner pieces on my 69 coupe. The parts kind of fit but not very well. The top piece seems too long or the curve is right. The same with the corner pieces. I have things clamped in place loosely with the windshield sitting in place. It looks like I might get things to work if I cut about 1 inch of the end of the top centre piece. Has anyone any used these parts? What did you do to make things fit? How did things work out? Pics would be a help.
I got a NOS GM frame upper and lowers and it fit pretty good on my 68 coupe. I did have to pull the side up rights apart with a comealong to get the center bar in striaght, but after that all was good and the glass fits nice. Take your time and it will come out good. Put the T top molding on before welding the frame soilid to be that all fits as well as the windsheild as it sounds you have done.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
I just recently did both upper corners - but did not need to replace the top center piece.
I also got mine from Paragon.
Even with not messing with the top piece, the corners left much to be desired in terms of fit.
The passenger side took me at least 4 hours of grinding, cutting and bending to get an acceptable fit.
The drivers side ended up going in much easier but still probably took 2 hours of messing with it.
I'm sure my car retained the appropriate geometry as I did not remove the upper bar so all the pieces stayed lined up.
I was rather diapointed and discovered what everyone always said about the aftermarket parts not exactly 'going right in'.
Gary
I also got mine from Paragon.
Even with not messing with the top piece, the corners left much to be desired in terms of fit.
The passenger side took me at least 4 hours of grinding, cutting and bending to get an acceptable fit.
The drivers side ended up going in much easier but still probably took 2 hours of messing with it.
I'm sure my car retained the appropriate geometry as I did not remove the upper bar so all the pieces stayed lined up.
I was rather diapointed and discovered what everyone always said about the aftermarket parts not exactly 'going right in'.
Gary
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