Installing Windshield 67 coupe

[Jim K.]

I have everything apart except taking the glass out and am almost ready to do that (expecting shipment of new glass today). I just finished reading the procedure in the ST-130-67 page 1B-5 and it seems straight forward except for all the sealant talk (gun grade body sealer such as 3M-1170, windshield cement such as 3M-6699B using pressure gun...). Has anyone done this themselves and had success with things not leaking once complete??? What sealant products will work, and where should they be applied? Are there any tech articles that I can't find?
Thanks!!!
Jim

[Timothy B.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

Jim,

On my 63 when installing the windshield I used the nylon cord and no sealant in the channel. I have not installed the trim but I plan on filling the channel with auto bedding and glazing compound before installing. I have not decided if I am going to glue the gasket to the windshield.

When I do another I will put some pam cooking oil around the gasket before the cord installation.

[Thomas N.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

First before installing, I would check to make sure the glass is the same size. It appears that some are oversize, and could lead to issues. I like to really douse the windshield rubber channels with dish soap. The pull spout dispenser on the dish soap bottles work quite well. As you pull the rope around the corners, the gasket will have the tendency to bunch up, and usually the first inclination from a novice is to push in the corners of the windshield on the outside. This is a big no no, and will crack your glass, because the glass is still not seated into the pinchweld/windshield opening and you are putting a point stress on the edge of the glass. Also, if you use a tool to assist in working out the bunched up gasket, be careful you don't go too deep and leverage the tool against the edges of the glass mounted within the gasket. Only use the tool on the lip of rubber you are trying to pull around the pinchweld. I also find that no sealer is required, the windshield sits in a groove, and the gasket forms a good seal around the pinchweld. I've installed quite a few windows (always with new gaskets or with gaskets that have no cracking) without sealer and have never had a leak. You will probably hear a lot of opinions on this. But if you feel you need to use some, usually some sealer in the upper and lower corners (after the windshield is installed) is all you really need. The aftermarket gaskets seem to be a little bigger, and a lot of sealer makes it more difficult to install the trim pieces. And if you use sealer, make sure you install your mouldings before the sealer sets up, or the lip of the lower moulding that goes between the rubber gasket and the window frame perimeter will get hung up because the hardened sealer will be in that area. If this is an original window, the factory really applied a whole bunch of sealer, and it will be real hard with age, and you will probably need to cut out the old gasket.

[Jim K.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

thanks Tim and Tom. I just got the glass and it looks great. Finished thaking the inside garnish moldings and will remove the old glass on the weekend. Maybe I'll go at it "dry" and hose test it before reinstalling the trim and see how it goes...

[Donald O.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

Jim,
Taking the old glass out is the easy part. I use a razor blade knife and slit the gasket all the way around the edge. Before you put in the new one, make darn sure there isn't any rot to fix. I am a believer in the sealant, under the gasket and between the gasket and glass.
When you do your water test, tape off the wiper wells, thats just in case it the possibility of the water migrating through an unforeseen route. Don't ask me how I learned that step.
DonO

[Jim K.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

Thanks Don... That's what I figured, a nice retractable with break off tips to keep the front edge sharp. Just finished taking the windshield out (well cutting it free and moving it enough to know it will come right out) while on the top of the 4 post. I'll measure and patch up the old to the new tomorrow and clean up the pinch weld area, check the clips and get set up for the install (which I will lower to the ground for). I'll keep you posted

[Donald L.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

I know you will get a lot of input from people on this, so I will give you my input to, I have put my own windshields in my midyears (I hate to say it) for almost 40 years and I did a lot of them, no sealant will work for about a year, after that the rubber on the seal changes from heat and cold and leaks, go buy a caulk tube of butyl rubber caulk, put a bead of it in the frame, get some 3/16 or 1/4 in. waxed rope from Home depot, pull the windshield in slowly starting at the bottom working both ways go easy at the corners, take your time, it is a little messey but it cleans up easy. The factory used this caulk because it never gets hard, so you don't need to slap the SS on, you have all the time in the world to water test it. Just make sure after the glass is in that the seal is flat aginst the glass on the outside and it has the same reveal all the way around, that is the hard part, you do it with your fingers pulling the seal from outside and pushing it in from the inside rolling the seal and seating it. But like I said you have all the time you want.

[Michael G.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

I'm in aggreement with you Don, sealant will pay dividends down the road. The factory used sealant.....why would it be a "good idea" not to use it? I like the idea of measuring the glass before installation but if purchased from a reputable supplier shouldn't be an issue.

[Jim K.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

...go buy a caulk tube of butyl rubber caulk, put a bead of it in the frame...

Thanks Don and Mike! So this caulk from a body shop supply store? and the bead is on the frame only, NOT between the glass and the rubber? With a bead on the frame, won't the pulling of the rope to roll the rubber just get it all over the place?

[Michael G.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

Jim,

I'll be installing my new glass in the next several weeks. Not only will there be sealant between seal and windshield frame but also between seal and glass. I'll most likely place sealant between glass and seal before install however not sure if I'll place sealant between seal and frame before or after install. On last install, sealant was placed in seal groove (seal and frame) before install. Somewhat of a mess was created when pulling the rope out getting sealant all over my hands . Other option would be to place the sealant after glass is installed by pulling up (slightly) lip of seal around windshield frame squirting sealant up under lip. Decision has yet to be made on which option I'll use.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

I don't see why the sealant can't be put in the channel after the windshield is installed.

If you read the 63 shop manual the instructions are to also glue between the weatherstrip and glass after the windshield is installed.

[Douglas L.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

Jim & Gail,

A common spot I have found for windshield leaks is where the windshield frame is welded together. The frame surface the windshield gasket mounts against is not smooth in these areas. There are small dips because of the way the frame weld joint was designed. I have used 3M strip calk in these areas - but any good sealant should work. On the rest of the frame, I have used white bedding compound.

The seal between the glass and the gasket is not usually where leaks seem to occur. But, sealant is needed to keep water from leaching into the laminated core of the windshield causing the edge of the windshield to fog. I seal this area after the windshield is in using black 3M windshield sealer.

Because these cars do not see rain or wet like they used to, the above may not that big a deal. But for me, even keeping the interior dry during washing or getting caught in that occasional downpour, it's worth it to seal as good as possible.

[Donald L.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

Do not use the butyl caulk between the glass and the weather strip it is only between the frame and the weather strip. The idea is the glass and weather strip will always move in the car over bumps and as the car flexes that is why you can not use a caulk that will get hard because after the first flex the seal is broken. you can use a windshield sealer between the glass and the weather strip but cut the tip of the caulk as small as you can and just a little in the pocket of the rubber.

[Jim K.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

Any 3M product numbers?

[Michael G.]

Re: Installing Windshield 67 coupe

Jim

Believe it was mentioned earlier....3M Bedding and Glazing Compound 08509