63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

[Collin MacDonald]

I have posted earlier, and did not get replies, so I thought I would try again. I have installed the weatherstrip on the 63 REAR window(s). The rubber seems to be very thick and when you go to install the SS Trim, the rubber pushes against the clips, cause the trim not to reach into the clips, especially the corner trim.

Does anybody have a method of putting this rubber weatherstripping on that will make it thinner, like heating and streching it out then applying it....I am lost really need somebody to help me with this problem...please. I have called Corvette Rubber, Paragon, Long Island Corvette, Dr. Rebuilt, Keen, Tony's Corvette (go only voice mail), and couple other people, and NOBODY can give me an answer...is this the Holy Grail of Corvettes?

Please gurus of the NCRS world help me....

[Mike Cobine]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

With all the '63 coupes that have been restored, you would think someone would have an answer. Maybe this vindicates me not pulling mine out - they didn't leak, they weren't rotted away, so I left them.

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

Well Collin I'm really surprized someone here hasn't done this before.

However comma

I'll bet if you go the NCRS bookstore (link at the top of this page or the one in this post below)and buy the CD with all the articles that apply to 63 Corvettes that you will find the answer.

Probably find a lot of other cool stuff too. I need one myself!

Good Luck,
tc




Restorer CD

[`Michael Southard]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

I'm doing my SWC right now, but, sorry, I'm not gonna pull my window trim to find out. It doesn't leak now and I don't want to screw up the body paint putting the trim back in.

I did do a restoration on a 1954 Ford Customline. It was the window stainless that was the most miserable part of the job. I ended up fabricating my own rubber washers (50 each) that fit snug enough to seal and allow me to get the trim back on.
Mike S.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

Collin,

I replaced my S/W weatherstrips years ago with GM rubber. As I recall the mouldings were tight when they snapped into the original clips. I would first compare the reproduction clips to originals if you have them. I know this sounds silly but do you have the rubber installed correct and are you installing the mouldings between the fiberglass body and the clip. If I were to do this again I would install the mouldings before final paint and tape them as I chiped a few spots when I installed mine. If the weatherstrip is correctly installed how does it fit in the car? I can't imagine the rubber being the problem but nothing with reproduction parts would surprise me.

I think the reason most 63 owners didn't respond is because this problem you almost have to see to offer a solution. Be very careful with your mouldings, if they are damaged you will pay dearly for 63 parts. I can't send a picture of a original rear window clip because I reinstalled my originals. Keep us informed if you find the problem as I am sure there are others that are reading this post wondering what lies ahead for them at this point of restoration.

[Collin MacDonald]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

Ok after a lot of research, and talking to a lot of people this is the situation. The original GM mold for the rubber is long gone, A company in Michigan remade the mold but it was not 100% correct, the mold has passed through several hands over the years. As a result the molding that is being offered today is a little more wider then the original. This info was provided by Dr. Rebuild, who I thank very much for his reply.

Now after talking to several other who do restro on 63's, its still possible to use the rubber and get a good fit. This is what has to be done. Corvette Central has their 63 clips made and are slightly longer then others who are getting their clips from a single source from overseas. I have reorderd the rubber from LICS and the clips from CC. I will reapply everything, but once on, I will trim with a dremol tool the top of the rubber that is hidden under the trim, then cut around the clips to allow more space for it to clip to the trim. I will especially cut the corners so the corner clips will fasten leaving no gaps. I certainly will use the heat gun to make the rubber plyable.

After experimenting with what I have now, I think it will work. The trick will be removing only enough to get a clean result. So I will let you know, I really am thinking of writting an article about this....

Keep tunned,,,,Collin

[Dick W.]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

I think that Terry would like to have an article of this nature

[Collin MacDonald]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

Amen to that, I have and plan to take more photographs of the process...truely I will make every attempt to write an article, as I stated the research that I did consisted of about 50 telephone calls to various "experts" with most people stating that's why you see so many 63's with trim that is not properly installed. Sorry, but I can't accept that as an answer and will do it over and over until its right. Of all the NCRS people with 63's somebody else must have experienced this problem, yet look at the responses here....so obviously an article is in line...Collin

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

Collin,

Be very very carefull with a heat gun. I would hate to see you inadvertantly scald that silver bullet while focusing on some pesky piece of rubber. A hair dryer might be a safer approach.

You might also try stretching the weather strip a bit as you glue it down. This will effectively reduce the cross sectional area of the rubber. The only hang up would be a mismatch at the corners if the parts are molded to shape there. If this happens, cut the weather strip in two with a brand new single edge razor blade, remove what you need with another cut and then glue the remaining ends back together with rubber cement.

tc

[Dick W.]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

You have to remember that this just a small cross section of the total membership

[Collin MacDonald]

Re: 63 Rear Window Weatherstrip/Trim installation.

Tracy

I have an adjustable heat gun, and by no means will I let it get hot enough to scold the paint. Secondly, by no means will I really stretch the rubber, just keep it taught and even. Believe it or not today we actually practiced and it came out perfect. The approach of using the dremol tool to grind away the "Peak" section of the rubber out about 1/8 of an inch worked great.

I will keep you and other appraised...we start this processes tomorrow....pray to the Corvette Gods...go to church and light a candle for Bill Mitchell...this works...

BTW went to mount the tires, three of the wheels mounted no problem, I bought new lug nuts, fourth had metric wheel studs....DOH....going to pick up the correct wheel studs tomorrow and finish this off.....

The joys of restoration....