Intalling Mid-Year Windshield

[Fred M.]

I'm trying to help a friend find someone in the Daytona, FL / Central FL area that has successful experience removing and re-installing a windshield on a '64 coupe. Thanks in advance. Fred

[Page C.]

Re: Intalling Mid-Year Windshield

Hi Fred,
In my opinion, the safest way to remove the windshield is by cutting off the outer face of the existing rubber gasket. Then with a person on both sides of the glass, gentle work the glass out of the opening. When reinstalling, use a new rubber gasket. Some repro windshield gaskets appear to be a little "fatter" than the original which makes reinstalling the trim a pain. Others might comment on which gasket works best. I use the 3M #8509 sealant in the channel beween the rubber and the metal. The Corvette shop manual gives a good procedure for "roping" in the glass and gasket back into the frame.
Page Cambpell

[David L.]

Re: Intalling Mid-Year Windshield

Back in the late 1980's I replaced the windshields in my 1963 SWC and my 1966 convertible. Like Page suggested I cut away the old rubber gasket and installed a new GM gasket and then used the "rope" method. I had never replaced a windshield previously.

Dave

[Russ S.]

Re: Intalling Mid-Year Windshield

If you are not trying to save the windshield and the gasket is good, I personally would never cut the gasket as the repos like Page says are fatter and a REAL pain to get the trim back in place.

PS. Again if you are not saving the w/s, I would use a half dozen or so putty knives and starting at the top of the w/s insert the knives under the rubber and lift the rubber so the top of the glass is exposed. Then with helpers gently and slowly push the w/s out from the inside while helpers on the out side keep the rubber back out of the way. Continue to work your way around to the sides of the w/s.

[Fred M.]

Re: Intalling Mid-Year Windshield

Thanks to all. Good info on how to save an original gasket.

[Doug L.]

Re: Intalling Mid-Year Windshield

I recently installed a new windshield and gasket on my '64. I cracked the original windshield when taking it out of the frame. I then needed to replace it and wanted correctly dated glass. My question to you, regardless of whether you plan to re-use your windshield or replace it, is why not get a professional to do it. I decided I didn't want to risk breaking the new glass. A local company agreed to order the dated glass I wanted from the supplier I wanted to use (Pilkington). They charged my the cost of the glass plus 10% plus an installation charge. Even though they do these every day it took 2 full days to get mine in. I used a new gasket from Corvette Rubber. It fit nicely. The problem was the lower clips. The originals were rusted and bent. I bought a new set from one vendor and fought for a full day trying to get the stainless trim to snap into place. At that point I searched this TDB and found comments about this very problem. The thread said Paragon clips would work when others would not. I ordered a set and had no problems completing the job on the second day but had to remove the glass in order to get the other clips out.
Doug

[Jim D.]

Re: Intalling Mid-Year Windshield

Paragon clips and a Corvette Rubber W/S = no problems.