Windshield Advice
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 511
Likes: 66
From: Timnath, CO
Windshield Advice
There are a lot of windshield threads out there, but I did not find an answer to my two specific questions so would appreciate your thoughts.
1) There is a large gap between the windshield and the molding on the passenger side. I think the picture below explains it as it appears the clip is positioned way too high. Is there a solution to this other than to remove the windshield and redo everything correctly?
2) The car drips a lot from the rear view mirror when driven in the rain. The windshield support seems to be in good condition. I think water must be coming over the top of the windshield, and then getting in below the windshield/t-top upper stainless trim. Then the water pools and drips - probably from the center t-top trim. How do you stop water from getting into the channel in the first place? Do I just need to seal better between the windshield and the upper stainless trim?
Thanks
[/SIZE]
1) There is a large gap between the windshield and the molding on the passenger side. I think the picture below explains it as it appears the clip is positioned way too high. Is there a solution to this other than to remove the windshield and redo everything correctly?
2) The car drips a lot from the rear view mirror when driven in the rain. The windshield support seems to be in good condition. I think water must be coming over the top of the windshield, and then getting in below the windshield/t-top upper stainless trim. Then the water pools and drips - probably from the center t-top trim. How do you stop water from getting into the channel in the first place? Do I just need to seal better between the windshield and the upper stainless trim?
Thanks
[/SIZE]
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Judging from the amount of sealant you have around the windshield, I'm going to say you have a hole under all that goop.
Everything I see in your pictures look fine but... Usually when you see that kind of mess around the glass, someone is chasing a leak and when they stick this stuff in place all they create is a better water holder. The sealant I see around the glass is not factory....
Now what could you do about the elevated clip... grind it off until it's the same height as the other clips. However, it appears from looking at the back side that this clip has been this way since the car was new (or someone replaced the header at one time which I doubt, I don't see any signs of it).
Anytime I see that kind of sludge glued around a windshield I kind of cringe... because in the long run it's doing more damage then good. For you, I would carefully clean this out and then see what you can find. Look for small pits or holes if you can get it clean enough to see. Personally, if it were me or my car I would pull the windshield and see what the reason is. A good example of this is my own car used in this write up.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=306 <-click on supporting document.
Good luck,
Willcox
Everything I see in your pictures look fine but... Usually when you see that kind of mess around the glass, someone is chasing a leak and when they stick this stuff in place all they create is a better water holder. The sealant I see around the glass is not factory....
Now what could you do about the elevated clip... grind it off until it's the same height as the other clips. However, it appears from looking at the back side that this clip has been this way since the car was new (or someone replaced the header at one time which I doubt, I don't see any signs of it).
Anytime I see that kind of sludge glued around a windshield I kind of cringe... because in the long run it's doing more damage then good. For you, I would carefully clean this out and then see what you can find. Look for small pits or holes if you can get it clean enough to see. Personally, if it were me or my car I would pull the windshield and see what the reason is. A good example of this is my own car used in this write up.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=306 <-click on supporting document.
Good luck,
Willcox
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 511
Likes: 66
From: Timnath, CO
Judging from the amount of sealant you have around the windshield, I'm going to say you have a hole under all that goop.
Everything I see in your pictures look fine but... Usually when you see that kind of mess around the glass, someone is chasing a leak and when they stick this stuff in place all they create is a better water holder. The sealant I see around the glass is not factory....
Now what could you do about the elevated clip... grind it off until it's the same height as the other clips. However, it appears from looking at the back side that this clip has been this way since the car was new (or someone replaced the header at one time which I doubt, I don't see any signs of it).
Anytime I see that kind of sludge glued around a windshield I kind of cringe... because in the long run it's doing more damage then good. For you, I would carefully clean this out and then see what you can find. Look for small pits or holes if you can get it clean enough to see. Personally, if it were me or my car I would pull the windshield and see what the reason is. A good example of this is my own car used in this write up.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=306 <-click on supporting document.
Good luck,
Willcox
Everything I see in your pictures look fine but... Usually when you see that kind of mess around the glass, someone is chasing a leak and when they stick this stuff in place all they create is a better water holder. The sealant I see around the glass is not factory....
Now what could you do about the elevated clip... grind it off until it's the same height as the other clips. However, it appears from looking at the back side that this clip has been this way since the car was new (or someone replaced the header at one time which I doubt, I don't see any signs of it).
Anytime I see that kind of sludge glued around a windshield I kind of cringe... because in the long run it's doing more damage then good. For you, I would carefully clean this out and then see what you can find. Look for small pits or holes if you can get it clean enough to see. Personally, if it were me or my car I would pull the windshield and see what the reason is. A good example of this is my own car used in this write up.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=306 <-click on supporting document.
Good luck,
Willcox
Any thoughts on my theory that the water is going right over the goop and into the trough on the header? From underneath the header everything looks in good shape, and the leak was pretty heavy from the center of the windshield. It's hard for me to see a path for that much water from under the goop.
Thanks again for your help
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
Likes: 4,300
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi G,
It appears to me that there is nothing in the picture to prevent water from being blown under the ss trim.
I believe the seal needs to be made between the 'lip' on the windshield header and the underside of the ss trim at the flange that clips over the header.
I would put a bead of something like 3M Strip Caulk 08578 on the lip and also in that tight bend in the ss trim. Be careful as you put the trim in place so the bead on the lip doesn't get dislodged but rather squeezes into the bead on the ss trim.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
It appears to me that there is nothing in the picture to prevent water from being blown under the ss trim.
I believe the seal needs to be made between the 'lip' on the windshield header and the underside of the ss trim at the flange that clips over the header.
I would put a bead of something like 3M Strip Caulk 08578 on the lip and also in that tight bend in the ss trim. Be careful as you put the trim in place so the bead on the lip doesn't get dislodged but rather squeezes into the bead on the ss trim.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Not to disagree, but I don't think it's coming over the top.
We typically pull two or three of these apart a year and it's not unusual to see one with no seal on the header bar. It seems like on the later cars more of the seal stayed on the back side of the stainless trim and this seal was more like a foam seal then the typical strip caulk used in earlier cars.
But... the pictures don't reflect this either. The header on top is pretty much rust from from what I can see in your picture and if water was coming in over top of the moulding then you would see a lot more rust in the lower gully of the header.
I'd to fishing if I were you, you've come this far.
We typically pull two or three of these apart a year and it's not unusual to see one with no seal on the header bar. It seems like on the later cars more of the seal stayed on the back side of the stainless trim and this seal was more like a foam seal then the typical strip caulk used in earlier cars.
But... the pictures don't reflect this either. The header on top is pretty much rust from from what I can see in your picture and if water was coming in over top of the moulding then you would see a lot more rust in the lower gully of the header.
I'd to fishing if I were you, you've come this far.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 511
Likes: 66
From: Timnath, CO
Alan and Willcox - I really appreciate your input on this.
My curiosity wants me to go digging to see what lurks behind the windshield, and to adjust the outer clip. However I don't have time to undertake that project right now. Too bad I am not located near Jeffersonville or I would bring it in to Willcox.
For the short term I think I will try and get a better seal with the stainless trim, as I can clearly see a gap there, and then tackle the bigger project later on. Fortunately this car does not normally see rain, but it will be nice to get it fixed right.
Regards
My curiosity wants me to go digging to see what lurks behind the windshield, and to adjust the outer clip. However I don't have time to undertake that project right now. Too bad I am not located near Jeffersonville or I would bring it in to Willcox.
For the short term I think I will try and get a better seal with the stainless trim, as I can clearly see a gap there, and then tackle the bigger project later on. Fortunately this car does not normally see rain, but it will be nice to get it fixed right.
Regards
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
Likes: 4,300
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi G,
I believe there was an intent to get a seal between the header flange and the underside of the ss trim.
Notice the 2 details on this page from the AIM, and the remains of the 184 sealer on the trim itself.
Regards,
Alan
Herse you can see the 3 materials I found on my ss header trim.
A soft foam strip. Right arrow
A bead of putty like material. Center arrow
Black sealer, (184), similar to the 3M strip seal. 2 left arrows.
I believe there was an intent to get a seal between the header flange and the underside of the ss trim.
Notice the 2 details on this page from the AIM, and the remains of the 184 sealer on the trim itself.
Regards,
Alan
Herse you can see the 3 materials I found on my ss header trim.
A soft foam strip. Right arrow
A bead of putty like material. Center arrow
Black sealer, (184), similar to the 3M strip seal. 2 left arrows.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 511
Likes: 66
From: Timnath, CO
Alan,
It is interesting learning more and more. I looked under my upper trim and did not find any foam or sealing bead such as yours has - just metal on mine. Then I pulled out my AIM to the same page you posted and found there were changes in '72. View "C" that you referenced does not even exist. View "A" does not call for sealing compound - only cement. I'm not sure why they would change that. In any case, I think I will try the sealing compound - it makes sense to have a seal there.
Another interesting tidbit is I found some extra holes in the header near the end clips - 2 on each side. I was confused by this, but upon studying the AIM I found they are for the header corner molding. It seems like it would be nearly impossible to remove the screws from the windshield side to get the corner molding off. I think I know why they didn't get reinstalled.
So when I get this all done I guess I will find out how good my t-top weatherstrip is - ha. I still am not sure where the water was designed to go. Perhaps in the channel around the edge of the windshield (assuming it isn't filled with putty like mine)?
It is interesting learning more and more. I looked under my upper trim and did not find any foam or sealing bead such as yours has - just metal on mine. Then I pulled out my AIM to the same page you posted and found there were changes in '72. View "C" that you referenced does not even exist. View "A" does not call for sealing compound - only cement. I'm not sure why they would change that. In any case, I think I will try the sealing compound - it makes sense to have a seal there.
Another interesting tidbit is I found some extra holes in the header near the end clips - 2 on each side. I was confused by this, but upon studying the AIM I found they are for the header corner molding. It seems like it would be nearly impossible to remove the screws from the windshield side to get the corner molding off. I think I know why they didn't get reinstalled.
So when I get this all done I guess I will find out how good my t-top weatherstrip is - ha. I still am not sure where the water was designed to go. Perhaps in the channel around the edge of the windshield (assuming it isn't filled with putty like mine)?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
Likes: 4,300
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi G,
You're right, the 2 front screws for the corner herder castings can't be accessed with the glass in place.
My original header really didn't have much sealer in it when the trim came off for the first time. It all seemed to be attached to the underside of the ss trim as my picture shows.
The rear of the trim (at the halo) had sealer similar to the front but didn't have the putty like material.
Regards,
Alan
You're right, the 2 front screws for the corner herder castings can't be accessed with the glass in place.
My original header really didn't have much sealer in it when the trim came off for the first time. It all seemed to be attached to the underside of the ss trim as my picture shows.
The rear of the trim (at the halo) had sealer similar to the front but didn't have the putty like material.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 511
Likes: 66
From: Timnath, CO
I have one last question. View A shows the front of the upper molding clearly fits over the top front of the windshield header. On mine, the flat tabs on the molding rest on the top of the header. I've tried tugging and tapping with a rubber mallet, but I can't get the molding over the header.
I did not completely remove the molding - there are still two rivets holding the back end on. The only other thing I can think of is to remove the entire molding and assemble from the front of the header, and then the back. I'm not very optimistic that this would work (and I would need to purchase a rivet tool).
Does anyone have any experience installing the top center molding that they can share?
Thanks
I did not completely remove the molding - there are still two rivets holding the back end on. The only other thing I can think of is to remove the entire molding and assemble from the front of the header, and then the back. I'm not very optimistic that this would work (and I would need to purchase a rivet tool).
Does anyone have any experience installing the top center molding that they can share?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
Likes: 4,300
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi G,
The ss trim must clip over the steel header to get it, the chrome plated corner castings, and the long thin ss reveal strip, to seat properly.
Dealing with the 2 rivets at the rear of the ss trim isn't a big deal at all. They're 1/8" aluminum pop-rivets and are easily drilled out and then new ones set with a pop rivet tool from the hardware store.
If your trim won't snap over the header flange I'd look to see if something is bent, if the trim clips are installed properly, (they can be installed backwards or with the wrong screws), if the corner castings are seated properly, or if there's something on the header stopping the ss trim from seating.
Regards,
Alan
The ss trim must clip over the steel header to get it, the chrome plated corner castings, and the long thin ss reveal strip, to seat properly.
Dealing with the 2 rivets at the rear of the ss trim isn't a big deal at all. They're 1/8" aluminum pop-rivets and are easily drilled out and then new ones set with a pop rivet tool from the hardware store.
If your trim won't snap over the header flange I'd look to see if something is bent, if the trim clips are installed properly, (they can be installed backwards or with the wrong screws), if the corner castings are seated properly, or if there's something on the header stopping the ss trim from seating.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 3, 2015 at 07:40 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 511
Likes: 66
From: Timnath, CO
Well I got it back together and it is not perfect, but is much improved from where I started. I was able to get the top molding over the header in the center section, but it would not reach on the edges. And you will see on the edges there is a pretty large gap between the windshield molding and the top molding. Nothing appeared to be bent, and everything about the header (including a stamping that says 5 71 which I am presuming is a date) seems original. So it is hard to understand why it does not fit any better than it does. The good news is I am confident I will no longer have to take a shower in the car if I am caught in the rain as there is no longer a gap between the header and the top molding. Here's some pictures. Thanks again for everyone's input.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
Likes: 4,300
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi G,
Installation looks QUITE good!
St. Louis applied a silver/gray sealer in the gap you're seeing.
It's still visible on some cars with their original windshields.
Don't laugh when I show you what I use.
Regards,
Alan
Installation looks QUITE good!
St. Louis applied a silver/gray sealer in the gap you're seeing.
It's still visible on some cars with their original windshields.
Don't laugh when I show you what I use.
Regards,
Alan