1972 - Astro Ventilation glass

[Alan S.]

Re: 1972 - Astro Ventilation glass

Hi Jerry,
The damming strip is/was a foam rubber strip applied to the windshield, just inside of the sealer itself. In the 71 AIM it's in UPC 1, sheet F 8.
the strip is called out as # 170, SEAL WINDSHIELD GLASS, 134 inches. It had pressure sensitive adhesive on it that held it in position. It prevented the windshield sealer # 178, 16 oz., from oozing into view on the inside of windshield after it was installed. You can see the strip and the remains of the adhesive ( it usually has turned yellow ) on the A pillars, just beyond the SS trim from the outside.
The kits that dealers sold and used to put in re-placement windshields showed this damming strip as part of the contents of the kit. The procedure for using the strip is in the Chassis Service Manual, 1B-8, #17.
I've looked for the strip for many years without finding one or even finding many people who had ever noticed it. I ended up making one for my 71, by beginning with a Toyota part.
This seems to be a detail that hasn't gained any attention, yet it's the first clue that a windshields been out of a car.
Regards,
Alan

[Jerome P.]

Re: 1972 - Astro Ventilation glass

Recently I purchased both right and left door glass for my '72 coupe. The original glass had some serious scratches. The new glass looks great. The Astro Ventilation lettering is the correct size and the date coding and related information all compares very very favorably to the original. However, I do have some concern about the whiteness of the Astra Ventilation lettering; it appears to be not quite as white as the original lettering when viewed side by side. When viewed independently the difference is not discernible.

Did the color (Whiteness) of the Astra Ventilation lettering vary marginally from car to car as they came off the assembly line?

I have been told the vendor I purchased the glass from is highly recommended and their product has past judging with flying colors.

Comments please.

Since posting the above (and other comments in this thread of mine). I now have had time to lay the left and right replacement door glass side-by-side. The shading of the Astro Ventilation lettering is noticeably different. One pane the lettering is a sharp white like original lettering. The other pane is several shades darker. All other aspects are right on. The supplier has offered to refund my purchase price, acknowledges the problem exists and does not have a supply source for the correct white lettered glass.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1972 - Astro Ventilation glass

Since posting the above (and other comments in this thread of mine). I now have had time to lay the left and right replacement door glass side-by-side. The shading of the Astro Ventilation lettering is noticeably different. One pane the lettering is a sharp white like original lettering. The other pane is several shades darker. All other aspects are right on. The supplier has offered to refund my purchase price, acknowledges the problem exists and does not have a supply source for the correct white lettered glass.

So the same vendors offers one side the correct shade logo, and the other side an incorrect shade?

You'd think someone would use the same color on both sides...?

Patrick

[Jerome P.]

Re: 1972 - Astro Ventilation glass

They apparently do not have any leverage with their supplier. The rep I spoke with said they have several off white panes in stock. What was most upsetting is they knew the problem existed and did not tell me until I received the glass and noticed the difference.

Jerry

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1972 - Astro Ventilation glass

Not telling the difference up front is because they need to sell the stock they have and it took you a month to find a small problem. If they know the problem they will get the other side right in due time maybe. I have seen some real junk sold and look forward to seeing this glass. For now I guess its install the new glass and hope it is close to correct or install the original glass and take a hit on condition. I took the hit many times on the date code to use original glass as all the reproduction were real junk.