C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Outer window seal - installation problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 08:06 AM
  #1  
81_vette!'s Avatar
81_vette!
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Default Outer window seal - installation problems

1977 coupe. Outer window seals:





I see from the manual that it is only held in by two screws.

OK, I attach the ends with the screws... but what about the entire length between the screws?

Mine just hangs in place - not secure at all. When you roll the window up, it pulls on the loose fitting outer seal and binds the window.

What is the concept here? Are the "tabs" on the back of the seal supposed to "snap" into the holes in the door?









If so - mine are not going to. The hole is larger than the tabs, so mine will not snap in. I guess I have to glue them in place?



Last edited by 81_vette!; Jun 23, 2010 at 11:19 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 12:19 PM
  #2  
HamadUP's Avatar
HamadUP
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Mine "clicked" in when I put a new pair in my doors, I had to press them fairly firmly though.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 12:31 PM
  #3  
81_vette!'s Avatar
81_vette!
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Default Snap in place...

Yea... I figured they were supposed to.

I bought mine from Eckler's... and obviously they are not well made.

I tried to "open" the tabs for a tighter fit but that did not solve the issue.

I guess I'll have to cement them in place. Geez.. what a pita.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 01:16 PM
  #4  
CA-Legal-Vette's Avatar
CA-Legal-Vette
Race Director
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,686
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Default

That's really kind of odd. Is it possible that the holes were elongated when you removed the old one? Any rust issues in the panel that the little clips connect to?

Just seems odd that a 69-82 piece simply wouuldn't fit.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 01:49 PM
  #5  
81_vette!'s Avatar
81_vette!
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Default

The old one I removed had a different tab.. more of a mushroom shape.

This new replacement has tabs that slide right into the holes with no resistance.

Geez.... it's always the 15 minute job that takes two days...


Anyway - don't but the ones from Ecklers.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 04:09 PM
  #6  
CA-Legal-Vette's Avatar
CA-Legal-Vette
Race Director
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,686
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Default

Are you sure that you don't have the outers and inners mixed up? The outers are rubber, the inners are felt.

EDIT: Sorry, couldn't see the pics at work. They are obviously rubber outers.

Last edited by CA-Legal-Vette; Jun 24, 2010 at 09:58 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 02:15 AM
  #7  
HamadUP's Avatar
HamadUP
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

I think you got the poorly made re-production ones, I got the higher quality ones from Willcox :

http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26172

they fit perfectly and snapped right in with no problems at all.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 07:46 AM
  #8  
MrJlr's Avatar
MrJlr
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Default

I know it goes without saying....but either the tabs are too small, or the holes are too big. I know...duh !

But having said that, I'd check that you got the right year part...they could be crap from the people that made them....

Or...worst case - someone drilled out the original holes..? In which case, you "could" make custom spacer/gromets...or improvise something like that....sounds like a real PITA...sorry - C3's....ya gotta love 'em or we wouldn't go through all this !

Keep us posted so we can learn too !

EDIT: - if the parts turn out to be bad - let us know where you got them so we can avoid the noid too !


Last edited by MrJlr; Jun 24, 2010 at 07:49 AM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 12:58 PM
  #9  
HamadUP's Avatar
HamadUP
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Here is my original outer door felt, just for the sake of comparison :





Reply
Old Jun 24, 2010 | 03:22 PM
  #10  
81_vette!'s Avatar
81_vette!
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Default

Thanks for all the responses.

I finally got them in, but had to use an adhesive.

I guess my holes had enlarged over the years??? or the replacements from Eckler's were not made to spec.

The worst part was you could get one end to sorta snap in, but then it would pop out when the next one was pushed in. Not a tight fit at all. It looks like the ones from Wilcox are made more to specs.

Anyway - it's on to the next vette project.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Outer window seal - installation problems





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:18 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE