I thought that getting a new windshield installed in my '88 Vette would be pretty simple. Wrong! I am getting a huge range of prices and advice from the various windshield companies. Some say the "molding" will have to be replaced and GM wants $200 to $250 for just the molding. Others say the glass will pop right out and they can re-use the existing molding. One place talked about some type of "foam insert" that goes between the glass and the pillers.

I am hoping that some of you have already suffered through this mess and can give me some straight advice.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Greg (Chino Hills, CA.)

 

I am going through the same mess right now!! I finally talked to someone who explained "the molding" to me. He said it's just the weatherstipping piece that goes across the top and seals against the targa top and runs down along the sides sealing the front part of the windows. He said there are screws and such under there that hold the windshield in place. So I went ahead and ordered that from Corvette rubber for $145. I am getting the windshield from safelite for $195 or so. As soon as I receive the weatherstrip piece then i'm gonna get the windshield. I hope this helps, and more importantly I hope I was given correct information.

 

Had mine done today. $475, wow!! Glad I wasn't paying. A truck hauling a dumpster had a large piece of cardboard fly out of the back. Apparantly, there were some stones or something on top of the cardboard, and one broke my windshield. BFI paid for it. And yes, they had to replace the weatherstripping for $276.00.

 

insurance paid for mine. I stood there and watched as he did it...dont let them even think about using the same weatherstripping. Pretty complex deal compared to other cars that I've seen done. no way they can get the old stuff off w/o destroying it. as far as why its so hard...i've found every repair on this car to be a pita, but...I love the dang thing. good luck

 

It's rare the windshield installer can save the weatherstripping channel (3 pieces: one on each side, and one accross the top) or the weatherstripping.
In addition, it's rare anyone that does not have many C4 windshield installations under their belt can install the windshield, NEW weatherstripping channel, and NEW weatherstripping without it leaking afterwards. It will usually leak at the top corners. But, sometimes it is difficult to pin down where it is leaking -- the reason, any water that leaks into the plastic interior moulding around the windshield anywhere will run out at the bottom over the front speakers. The plastic interior moulding acts like an inside rain gutter.
The best way I have found to pin down where the leak is is to use a hose with a small amount of water running from it and start at the bottom front where the windshield meets the doors and s-l-o-w-l-y work my way up the windshield and weatherstripping. Watch when you first start to see water coming out of the plastic interior trim. At that point, stop running water and fix the leak before continuing the rest of the way up the windshield.
My experience has been the windshield installers will not seal the weatherstripping to the body between the side weatherstripping retainers and the top one at the top corners. There is about a two inch gap where these retainers don't meet. This has to be sealed -- no matter what they tell you.


Tom Piper

 

Greg, nothing is easy on these cars. I had mine replaced awhile back and had est. from $250 to $800. I could not believe the dif. The weatherstrip will most likely have to be replaced, it is a $200 part. I found out the low est. was going to try to reuse the old one and use an aftermarket windshield. I had it done for $750. It only cost me $100 ded. They could not come to my house and do it because it required "special" tools. I do not like to leave my car anywhere because it always comes back with scratches and grease all over it, so I sat at the window place for about 4 hours and watched. The guy that did it has some classic cars and he understood my concern and was very proffessional. He even cleaned and vacuumed when done. He also told me to make sure you get PPG or LOF windshield, anything else is a POS. Hope this helps. Good luck, Guy

 

I had mine done 2 weeks ago. Cost was $565.00 for OEM glass and new
weather strip. Everyone I talked to said to use OEM glass only as it is thicker.
:smash: