Windshield frame question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 734
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From: ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS NJ
Windshield frame question
Old windshield now out of my 69 for a new one to go in.
The lower A pillar bottom has just a little surface rust, so in nice shape, but each side has a glob of black putty-like material. About a 4" long piece. I pulled it out and find a small slot at the bottom corner of the frame, thinking this may be a drain hole.
So, can someone tell me if that is a drain hole, and does that black putty-like glob belong there? A picture of what is correct would be great.
I want to do everything factory correct, proper drain holes, etc. if they belong in that spot. I would think the bottom corners of the windshield frame should have some way to drain water.
The lower A pillar bottom has just a little surface rust, so in nice shape, but each side has a glob of black putty-like material. About a 4" long piece. I pulled it out and find a small slot at the bottom corner of the frame, thinking this may be a drain hole.
So, can someone tell me if that is a drain hole, and does that black putty-like glob belong there? A picture of what is correct would be great.
I want to do everything factory correct, proper drain holes, etc. if they belong in that spot. I would think the bottom corners of the windshield frame should have some way to drain water.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
Old windshield now out of my 69 for a new one to go in.
The lower A pillar bottom has just a little surface rust, so in nice shape, but each side has a glob of black putty-like material. About a 4" long piece. I pulled it out and find a small slot at the bottom corner of the frame, thinking this may be a drain hole.
So, can someone tell me if that is a drain hole, and does that black putty-like glob belong there? A picture of what is correct would be great.
I want to do everything factory correct, proper drain holes, etc. if they belong in that spot. I would think the bottom corners of the windshield frame should have some way to drain water.
The lower A pillar bottom has just a little surface rust, so in nice shape, but each side has a glob of black putty-like material. About a 4" long piece. I pulled it out and find a small slot at the bottom corner of the frame, thinking this may be a drain hole.
So, can someone tell me if that is a drain hole, and does that black putty-like glob belong there? A picture of what is correct would be great.
I want to do everything factory correct, proper drain holes, etc. if they belong in that spot. I would think the bottom corners of the windshield frame should have some way to drain water.
Not trying to sound like not helping but get your self a AIM and check that out how the OEM did it, and then if not clear people here can help clarify what the OEM did and also what modifications could be done better.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS NJ
I do have the AIM but do not see a clear indication on any of the pages that answers my question.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
AIM shows where the factory sealer was applied and it sounds like what you pulled out was factory sealer. I'm not sure what drain hole you're talking about. On birdcages, what might appear to be a drain hole could actually be a hole for jig attachment. The various birdcage pieces were held in a jig during the weld up process. Post a pic of what you've found.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Mar 15, 2012 at 10:23 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 734
Likes: 51
From: ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS NJ
AIM shows where the factory sealer was applied and it sounds like what you pulled out was factory sealer. I'm not sure what drain hole you're talking about. On birdcages, what might appear to be a drain hole could actually be a hole for jig attachment. The various birdcage pieces were held in a jig during the weld up process. Post a pic of what you've found.
The putty was about a 4" long lump wedged between the lower pillar and the fender top. I think in my research it is referred to as Fender Filler.
So, can I assume the putty belongs back in, is it a sealer to keep water out? And the slot I referred to was tiny, under the putty, so maybe that is not a drain but just a small space that should be sealed.
It is a 72,000 mile car, no sign or smell of water getting inside the cabin.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,241
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi DRC,
Yes that "glob" was originally applied to each side to fill the gap between the front face of the hinge pillar, and the inside of the upper rear end of the fender.
I'm not sure when or if there was a preformed filler; my 71 just had a glob of rubbery stuff (1-1/2"x 4") that appeared to have been shot in there with some kind of caulking gun.
There was no opening or slot under it on my car.
Regards,
Alan
Yes that "glob" was originally applied to each side to fill the gap between the front face of the hinge pillar, and the inside of the upper rear end of the fender.
I'm not sure when or if there was a preformed filler; my 71 just had a glob of rubbery stuff (1-1/2"x 4") that appeared to have been shot in there with some kind of caulking gun.
There was no opening or slot under it on my car.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 734
Likes: 51
From: ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS NJ
Hi DRC,
Yes that "glob" was originally applied to each side to fill the gap between the front face of the hinge pillar, and the inside of the upper rear end of the fender.
I'm not sure when or if there was a preformed filler; my 71 just had a glob of rubbery stuff (1-1/2"x 4") that appeared to have been shot in there with some kind of caulking gun.
There was no opening or slot under it on my car.
Regards,
Alan
Yes that "glob" was originally applied to each side to fill the gap between the front face of the hinge pillar, and the inside of the upper rear end of the fender.
I'm not sure when or if there was a preformed filler; my 71 just had a glob of rubbery stuff (1-1/2"x 4") that appeared to have been shot in there with some kind of caulking gun.
There was no opening or slot under it on my car.
Regards,
Alan
My 69 is original glob, and here is my question / point. Right next to my car in my buddy's shop is a 34,000 mile 70 Vette. Now, I can see on the 70 the glob between the lower windshield pillar and the fender top was done neatly. Meaning a slope like a rain gutter where the water would run down under the cowl area away from the lower pillar.
My concern is to not have water lay around the lower windshield pillar, so I asked my buddy to do a neat slope with caulk.
Also, on the top corners of my windshield frame is a 4" about glob of putty. All seems factory.
