I got a rear window frame from Corvette America for my 74' coupe and went to install it and for some reason my car body does not have a 'hole' in the lower middle section where the center screw hole is in the frame??? My original frame broke into about 6 pieces so it's long gone!

Added two photos of mounting area so you can see that there is a hole 'missing'. The top photo shows the passenger side and car center of the rear window frame and underneath the guys face in the book lying against the glass is where a normal mount hole is located. To the right of it you can see the riveted clip that has a mount hole for that thick lower window trim and just above it should be a factory mount hole for the center screw of the window frame trim. The middle photo shows the same area in close up - no hole! You can barely see a light scribed mark that my mount screw made when I fitted the window frame up against the window and put the two outer screws in the lower frame edge and inserted the center screw to mark where the screw tip touched the body frame. The bottom photo shows how a factory mount is fitted: a cutout to accommodate a U-nut. Since my middle mount hole is not punched out from the factory, wonder if I can just drill a hole and unfold a U-nut to accommodate the mount screw??? Should be very easy.

 

'TTT for updated info

 

take the window out and make it a removeable window as in 1972.... did it this simmer and its the best mod i ever did... the window hasnt been "in" all summer.... you wont believe how different it feels when cruisin.... no more wind from behind when tops are off... hardest part is installing the weatherstrip and it really isnt that hard just unforgiving if you dont take your time.... the window and frame pops up on ebay quite often...about a 150 for a nice one....wilcox has a paper for installation procedure.... good luck...

 

My '73 has three screw holes along the bottom of the frame.

 

Hi mar,
What year car are you working on? I don't see it listed in your profile.
The AIM would probably tell you what the clip number was for your year. Pehaps the frame is a 'universal' part to fit various years as changes were made.
I see the Haynes manual in the first picture; many people find the GM Chassis Service Manual more helpful, a bit more expensive... but worth it.
I'd think you could add the u-clip as you described.
Regards,
Alan

 

It is a 74' - I have an assembly manual for it but the one section and page for the rear window trim doesn't show the entire window frame. It's one of those 'cut' illustrations.

 

I like that idea, but want to get the car streetable for now. Maybe next year if I keep it!~

 

OP - did you ever figure out how to mount the frame? I'm having the same issues on my 73. Searched the forum and this is the only thread that came up.

I used the Zip window kit, stuck it up there, then tried to put my new frame on (from Ecklers) and there's a hole in the middle of the frame, but no hole in my car. The base of this hole in the frame actually pushes the frame away from the glass. Did you cut it off? The AIM only shows two screws as well. I'm also having issue with the top screws; thinking the tape isn't compressed enough.

My car came with the frame in about 10 pieces and missing half of the screws, so I have no example to go off of. It also did not have a hole in the center of the frame.

If anyone has some tips, I'll glady take them!

Update: Just found this on Willcox's site (guess I need to drill a hole and grind down some metal?): "Coupe Rear Window Frame. Black. Original 73-76 Early frames had 2 mount screws on the bottom. Due to warpage, GM revised the frame and added a third screw in late 1976. All our frames are the improved late 76-77 style."

 

Same on my 73.

 

My 74 AIM shows only six trim screws on the frame; 2 on the bottom, 2 on the top, and one on each side.



My guess is that your frame is "generic" and meant to fit more than one model year.