I have installed all new weather stripping from wilcox, have new astro tops with new weather stipping on them. the windows go up all the way however there is a small gap at the top front of the window. i have adjusted until i am blue in the face it almost seems like the astro top weather stripping doesnt come down enough to fill the gap. anyone seen this or have a suggestion as to how i solve this problem ? thanks in advance

 

Troy,

I have the very same issue on my 80 (both drivers and passenger sides) after having installed new Willcox rubber last year, and I have the factory original mirrored t-top panels. After many hours adjusting myself, I took the car to my vette mechanic (very well known in Toronto) and even he couldn't get it corrected. Willcox was also great with advice, but I still to this day have the issue.

I have been applying silicone spray and wiping it in almost monthly in hopes that the rubber will soften enough for the windows to fully close..

Sorry it's of no help to you, but I wanted to keep the thread up top should others have suggestions.

-Stephen

 

Same issue here. Gap is small, but it is there.

Glass fits perfectly on the leading windshield edge as well as the rear sail panel, all is parallel and even, yet the glass makes tighter contact on the rear of the T Top than on the front. I've adjusted as much as possible and it's way better than it was when I bought it though.

If I "turn" the glass to eliminate the gap, then the glass does not line up with the windshield adequately.

I live with it. Gap is less than 1/8" at it's widest point and less than an inch long. When I had the OEM seals and the door glass was factory adjusted, the gap was much worse.

 

Out of curiosity, when you guys say you've adjusted the windows, did you use the procedure in the manual, or just did the adjustment without it? I had similar issues, but after following the manual (still took many tries) mine windows and tops seal really really well and there are no leaks. If you haven't used the manual, it might be worth a try.

 

is there any chance you can PDF the manual adjustment proceedure for me i would be eternally grateful

 

I'm not sure what manual you guys are speaking of, but I used a pdf for adjusting the windows from this site. I believe it was pulled from a GM manual. Either way, after working through them over and over, I could adjust them with my eyes closed now.

The problem is not the adjustment, but the fitment of the T Top seal to the Windshield frame. Basically, My T tops would need to come down another 1/8" closer to the Windshield, but they are already down as far as they will go. Raising the rear of the tops would make the tops not seal in the rear and they would also stick up higher than the halo then.

I'll accept the fitment, as it's not all that bad and the fact that the seals are aftermarket as well as the T Tops and car are over 30 years old. Unless I'm washing the car and shoot the hose upward at the top of the seal, it does not leak. Even then, it's just a dribble.

 

Here's whats out of my manual for my 81. The first two are for the windows, the last one is for the tops. The tops page shows what the fitment should be too.

The scans aren't great, but this is what happens when you have to lay the book on the scanner...

 

I followed the AIM (Assembly Manual) and as stated, even my vette mechanic couldn't get it right. I had no window issues with the old weatherstrips .

-Stephen

 

Stephen, for some reason, the AIM procedure is different from the service manual. The service manual seems to be more for adjustments or tweaks. Might be worth revisiting the service manual procedure.

 

Count me in as well. No gap with the old ones, put the new ones on and gap at the top front both sides.

This is NOT a glass adjustment problem.The glass is pefectly aligned to the front and rear pillars, tipping it up to fill the gap created by the new strip will take it out of alignment to the pillars. The weatherstrip is not thick / tall enough from the middle of the glass forward. We all have the same problem.

Not happy. I got mine a little better by shimming the strip down from the middle of the glass forward, then injecting black silicone in to fill the gap between the strip and t top. Then pulled the shims, and filled those gaps. Felt terrible doing this but no options, it made more noise with the new strip than it did with the old dry rotted falling apart strip.

Still is not right. Really bummed me out. Strip is not right period. Measured it compared to the old, and indeed, it is not tall enough from the middle of the top all the way to the front angle. The angle does not meet up with the front pillar strip angle correctly as well.

My guess is the mold was not set right when this batch was made, and we all are seeing the same problem. Hard to send it back after you glue it on.

Anyone have better luck with another vendor's strip?

I have had other quality issues that have been resolved very quickly with the vendor, but this one is a tough one to get satisfaction on. Perhaps they will chime in and make a suggestion for all of us.

 

I purchased my set from Wilcox and used the procedure from shop manual and both windows fit nice and snug, I also replaced both window cross arms and new glass.
Just thinking, If I recall Wilcox , had two sets, one made in the USA and a cheaper set made over seas, hard to remember , I did mine two years ago. I went with the USA made one but it cost more . That may be where the fit problem is?

 

Well stated.

I also used the more expensive American Made Corvette Rubber Co moldings. They are steps above the cheap stuff, but I agree, the T Top moldings are lacking thickness in the front.

 

I am having a machinest buddy of mine do a protype wedge shim to use under the weather stripping to see if i can bring it into better alignment anyone instrested in them if i can get it to work ? he could produce a qunity of them if there is enough interest

 

you should not need any shims, if the the top is a factory top, and there is no damage to car. The gaskets fit right, just changed all of mine after painting the car. It took maybe 5 minutes to adjust the window to the opening. Maybe you don't have the good weatherstrip or window seals?

Sometimes you pay for what you get?

 

I have same poor fit with my 76. Bought my gaskets from Dr Rebuild.

They weren't cheap.

 

well where did you get yours ? mine and several others have gotten them from wilcox who buys from corvette rubber supposed to be the best out there from the vendors own words

 

The only adjustment fix I can see, is to jack up the rear of the t-top to level the door glass seal with the top of the window glass and then crank the window glass up and rear ward another 1/8 inch. Problem with this is the t-top will sit higher than the Halo and I don't believe the rear gasket on the t-top will seal well then.

Other than the single little "wedge" gap as mentioned, all else fits perfectly right now.

I agree this is a fitment difference in materials from OEM, not an adjustment issue.

It's also an identical issue side to side. Both sides have the same issue. Again, not a large enough issue to lose any sleep over though.

 

I'm reading this and wondering if I shouldn't review this in more detail.

I'm perplexed because the only weatherstrips we carry are the CRC brand. (I've never carried the imported stuff) I have installed this same pillar weatherstrip over and over again without issues following the factory AIM instructions.

I think maybe that "soon" I'll take some good clear pictures of what the pillar and t-top outer weatherstrip should look like when in the correct position.

Now my question for the OP is that you have new Astro tops.. but from where? Your issue may very well be a problem with the top. Also keep in mind that the roof panel (t-top) weatherstrip has adjustment too.. and should be tested for fitment before it is clued to the retainer.

In regards to some of the imported stuff... I've seen these first hand and the ones that I looked at were an extruded rubber that was the same size top to bottom. This is not correct and will cause leaks. The top of the pillar weatherstrip is fatter than the lower section.

I'll see if I can get some pictures soon.. possibly do a new file for the web site.

Willcox

 

From Willcox.

 

I got mine from Willcox as well and have a slight gap in the same area you guys are having problems with. I spent a lot of time adjusting mine and even wasted some money at a body shop, which was no help.