1970 windshield frame filler?

[Dan Grunwald]

I have replaced the upper windshield frame on my 1970 coupe and the old rusted one had the "trough" type area that extends all along the top of the frame filled with dum dum type stuff. Without some type of filler to displace it, the water will accumulate in this area with no provision do drain it out. Won't it tend to rust out again in time. Should I fill this area again so it doesn't fill with water? I am more concerned with practical issues here than neccessarily how the factory did it as no one will see it under the chrone trims anyway. There was also a lot of this filler at the bottom corners of the windshield area on the outside but iam guessing that that was an attempt to stop the leaking to the interior from the rusted windshield frame.Thanks.
Daniel Grunwald

[Jack H.]

Re: 1970 windshield frame filler?

Q. Won't rust return unless I duplicate factory original 'fill' on windshield frame components?

A. Yes, but bear in mind, you're probably not driving this classic car as aggressively (all weather situations) as the original owner chain did. So, effective lifespan without appropriate factory original sealer could be VERY long indeed!
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When I did this chore on my '71, I read myself to sleep for several nights with the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) taking notes of where each/every factory sealant was used. I then strolled a few local Corvette shops & bone yards to look and see how/where the sealant(s) were applied.

AMAZING! The Shark windshield assy reminds me of the little Dutch boy and the dike.... Just about everywhere that water could enter or be forced in by wind there was some kind of sealing material applied. At the top of the windshield frame the quantity of sealant putty called out by the AIM is HUGE (especially at the outside ends)!!!!

So, getting the recipie right isn't trivial. If you miss one spot/one sealant component, you've got a potential hole.... Small wonder why so many of these cars are suffering windshield frame rot compared to the simpler sealing system(s) of prior era Corvette--each time front glass is replaced the moldings HAVE to come off and factory original sealants are disturbed! Then, factor in those owners who call around and shop price on windshield replacement going with the low bidder's price and the frame rot 'problem' begins to crystalize....