C3 Weatherstrip
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 7
From: Coralville Iowa
C3 Weatherstrip
Well I polished out the 68 and the paint came shining like new, but.....
When I started detailing the inside I noticed a little dampness in the front driver carpet. I have been doing an inventory of needed original parts and weatherstripping was at the top of the list. Just beacause it was 28k original miles doesn't change the fact that is also 36 years young. Any of you seasoned restorers have a preference on weatherstrip kits? I have looked at alot and Eklers seem the best.
All suggestions will be appreciated. Best fit is the most important.
Thanks
Dave
When I started detailing the inside I noticed a little dampness in the front driver carpet. I have been doing an inventory of needed original parts and weatherstripping was at the top of the list. Just beacause it was 28k original miles doesn't change the fact that is also 36 years young. Any of you seasoned restorers have a preference on weatherstrip kits? I have looked at alot and Eklers seem the best.
All suggestions will be appreciated. Best fit is the most important.
Thanks
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Best fit == Corvette Rubber (popular opinion)
Water on the carpet is less likely to be weather stripping and
more likely to be leaking in the cowl/windshield frame area.
You might want to find a local glass place that will pull your
windshield, allow you to clean up the frame, and then have them
come back to install it with modern day (urethane) sealer.
While in that area, check the sealer around the firewall to
W/S frame edge and around the wiper transmissions.
Water on the carpet is less likely to be weather stripping and
more likely to be leaking in the cowl/windshield frame area.
You might want to find a local glass place that will pull your
windshield, allow you to clean up the frame, and then have them
come back to install it with modern day (urethane) sealer.
While in that area, check the sealer around the firewall to
W/S frame edge and around the wiper transmissions.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles IL
I bougtht the complete Ecklers weatherstrip kit for my 79 coupe, it fits as expected for a 70's design. quality OK. but you have to tape it in place on the doors until the glue cures, put a layer of glue on both surfaces if you want it to stick worth a darn.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
My '77 has been in the family for almost 15 years, and the weather strip has leaked from day 1 (fortunately, about the only part that doesn't is the T-tops). It's been on the list of repairs/upgrades, but I must confess that the price has been scaring me off. As long as the rain isn't horizontal, there isn't a problem. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Dr. Rebuild sells Corvette Rubber. I just did a hardtop replacement. The originals were still in place and not deformed, but hard as rock, so I have a good baseline for fit and form. The Corvette Rubber pieces were very close to the OEM in fit, finish, and form. For $300 they better be. I can't say I like the price, but they DO fit right and have the proper hardness/surface finish.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
I agree with the post above, check your windshield frame. I'm not saying it is rusted, but still a possibility.
What I would really suggest looking at specifically is the top corners of the frame where GM welded the corners in. They have an access void to weld through and were filled with caulking or some type of sealant that will shrink or fall out over the years. This leak usually allows water to flow down the inside of the windshield frame and into the floor at the body mount behind the kick panel. jim
What I would really suggest looking at specifically is the top corners of the frame where GM welded the corners in. They have an access void to weld through and were filled with caulking or some type of sealant that will shrink or fall out over the years. This leak usually allows water to flow down the inside of the windshield frame and into the floor at the body mount behind the kick panel. jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
My suggestion is to be patient and start looking for NOS weatherstripping.
If you have to go repro go Corvette Rubber. Fits well but is still not made of quite the same material as the original.
I found NOS for my 70. It is out there.
Bill
If you have to go repro go Corvette Rubber. Fits well but is still not made of quite the same material as the original.
I found NOS for my 70. It is out there.
Bill
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
I don't know what you guys are smoking but Corvette Rubber weatherstrip is not even close to a match for the OEM. I just returned windshield pillar weatherstrip to Corvette Rubber. Have not been able to find an equivalent to OEM- because of the smooth surface finish on the OEM. Corvette Rubber was upfront about it- difference is in manufacturing process. OEM was urethane dipped. Their brand (same as Dr. Rebuild) is brushed on surface finish and is noticeably rougher than OEM. I got Corvette Central weatherstrip at Carlisle which is made by a company in Minneapolis and is the closest appearance to OEM that I've been able to find.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Originally Posted by 75 Hot One
I don't know what you guys are smoking but Corvette Rubber weatherstrip is not even close to a match for the OEM. I just returned windshield pillar weatherstrip to Corvette Rubber. Have not been able to find an equivalent to OEM- because of the smooth surface finish on the OEM. Corvette Rubber was upfront about it- difference is in manufacturing process. OEM was urethane dipped. Their brand (same as Dr. Rebuild) is brushed on surface finish and is noticeably rougher than OEM. I got Corvette Central weatherstrip at Carlisle which is made by a company in Minneapolis and is the closest appearance to OEM that I've been able to find.
If you really want the correct weatherstrip, as I did, I bought NOS. If you have followed my posts over the recent months you know I can not stand repros in general for some of the reasons you state.
Unfortunately the general is a big part of the problem because they will not allow exact repros and will send their lawyers out to make sure. I even know of one specific instance where GM may have told the company that the repro is too good we will not allow it because you can not tell the difference between the repro and the original. I understand why and can't blame GM. They want to sell new cars.
If you want original buy original. They are always a better fit than the repros but sometimes the repros are the only cost effective solution and they have their place too.
Man it sounds like someone pped in your cereal this morning.
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
GM isn't against the restoration hobby. If they were, they wouldn't have a program to sell old tooling to make restoration parts or send out free data packets on your vehicle. They just don't want people selling identical-to-oem products without paying royalties. While it's annoying, I see where they are coming from.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Originally Posted by 1974ta
You are absolutely correct but the corvette rubber does fit pretty well.
If you really want the correct weatherstrip, as I did, I bought NOS.
Bill
If you really want the correct weatherstrip, as I did, I bought NOS.
Bill
