T Top Header Sealant
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
T Top Header Sealant
I am putting together the interior of my 73 and want to know if I should put any sealant under the chrome "T" that goes across the top of the windshield and center bar.
The front edge (above the wind shield) had something that looked like clear sealant under it when I took it off, but the assembly manual doesn't show sealant going there...
If sealant is required, should I use clear sealant, weather strip adhesive or buytl tape?
The front edge (above the wind shield) had something that looked like clear sealant under it when I took it off, but the assembly manual doesn't show sealant going there...
If sealant is required, should I use clear sealant, weather strip adhesive or buytl tape?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
The large, t-shaped stainless piece needs to be sealed to the top of the birdcage. This had a Butyl sealer on it from the factory. Apply the butyl sealer to the the top of the windshield frame on the edge closest to the front. This will keep water out of the upper channel of your windshield frame. Silicon will adhere and make removal difficult.
Think twice before leaving this without a seal.
Good luck.
Think twice before leaving this without a seal.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
.
While not shown in the assembly manual in detail, the header T chrome did have a sealant under it.
Go purchase you some 3M 08578. It comes in strips and is about the closest thing you will get to the original.
You should run about for strips across the front header where the clip screws come through. Run this all the way to the top of the metal trim. This will keep any moisture from coming in past the windshield moulding and over the trim edge.
I would also put some in the side gutters where there is a triangle bridge in the area where the center metal mates with the header. If you look there are open slots there and I just like to put some in there just in case a leak would develop somewhere in the back.
Each individual screw should also have some strip caulk inserted in the hole before installing the trim. This will prevent the screws from leaking.
Do not be afraid to stuff this good! Do not use so much that it would impede the installation of the trim.
Willcox
While not shown in the assembly manual in detail, the header T chrome did have a sealant under it.
Go purchase you some 3M 08578. It comes in strips and is about the closest thing you will get to the original.
You should run about for strips across the front header where the clip screws come through. Run this all the way to the top of the metal trim. This will keep any moisture from coming in past the windshield moulding and over the trim edge.
I would also put some in the side gutters where there is a triangle bridge in the area where the center metal mates with the header. If you look there are open slots there and I just like to put some in there just in case a leak would develop somewhere in the back.
Each individual screw should also have some strip caulk inserted in the hole before installing the trim. This will prevent the screws from leaking.
Do not be afraid to stuff this good! Do not use so much that it would impede the installation of the trim.
Willcox
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
No problem! If water comes in over the front and collects on top of the header then you will end up with a nightmare in a few years.
The AIM will show you to seal the heads of the screws, but the detail on the sealant used under the T chrome is poor.
The sealant GM used was not as good as the good old Dumb Dumb (strip caulk).
W
The AIM will show you to seal the heads of the screws, but the detail on the sealant used under the T chrome is poor.
The sealant GM used was not as good as the good old Dumb Dumb (strip caulk).
W
