Windshield Glass

[Knothead]

Is there a "Trick" to making the glass seat properly? I bought the glass from Vintage Glass , but the upper corners don't fit snug. I pulled it out and made sure it was centered and it fit a little better.It appears it needs to drop back further in the hole?

[OrrieG]

I've never installed one but I do remember the guy who did had to beat the heck out of it in the hot Arizona summer sun to get it to fit right. I thought he was going to break it. I am guessing the reversed lower corner makes it difficult for the glass to seat. Maybe when its warmer it might slip in or down more????

[blackdiesel]

Dad and I have put in three of them. We think that the after market windshield is not a good fit (seams to be alittle too wide). But it might just be use. I would like to put an OEM in some day and see if it fits better. And, yes you have to beat the crap out of it. It would be easy to break one, but knock on wood, not yet. We did break a back glass we had cut for my coupe, "I told him he was hitting it to hard" but doe's he listen to me. noooo. BTW, the big back glass is way harder to put in than the windshield.

[57ToyBox]

I've done the same on a different model of truck. but I got a helper to palm inside and outside of the windshield and pull down and out while I pounded on the windshield to get it to pop into position.
Didn't quite make it but it was close. After driving the truck for a week or so and checking on it. (hitting it) it fell into position.

[Knothead]

Thanks for the input, just as stated the glass seems to be a little wide.I went and bought some suction cups and fingered and massaged on it repeatedly. I believe it will settle in fine.Tomorrow I'll tackle the large rear glass !?!

[blyguy]

no one has mentioned anything about a rope in this thread. insert a long rope in the rubber channel and lube it up with dishsoap and water. center the glass and moulding on the opening and start pulling one end of the rope and work your way around the glass starting at the bottom. it will fall into place. i own a glass shop and do about 15 of these a year. and questions please ask i can be more specific.

[nickp51chevy]

^^^^^^^ Beat me to it. I read it in one of my classic truck mags.

[renegade6]

Did you use a string to put it in and lots of soapy water? They are a really tight fit and agree with the others that having a hot gasket helps as well.

[blackdiesel]

We used the soap rope also. I figered sents he already had it in, that he did also. Blyguy do you think the after market 55-59 is a little wider? or is it just me?

[buildinga55]

BLYGUY, got any pictures of the process? I have seen windshields put in with the rope, I have a 48 Truck and will be putting in new glass. It looks like it would really be a pain with that divider in the middle. You mentioned soaping something down, were you talking about the rope or the rubber?

[Knothead]

Thats a good point,the "ropey soapy" thing was the only way I was able to do it by myself (3 times).I did let it sit in the sun several hours before first install. Thanks again I did learn a few thing from all the input

[blyguy]

i will try to get some pics or video in the next few days. with the rope inserted in the moulding lube everything up, moulding and pinchweld. it is much easier with 2 people. have one person pull the rope and the other outside applying pressure at the point where the rope is, following the rope and patting it in as the rope is pulled. the top corners is where it gets a little tricky, do one side and turn the corner about 6 inches, the with the other end of the rope do the other sidethe same. then tap the glass along the sides and bottom. you can hit the glass quite hard as long as you use an open palm. at this point the windsheild and moulding will drop towards the cowl about half an inch, then proceed with pulling the rest of the rope along the top. once the top is in continue to "patt" the glass with an open hand and it will seat. i will get my guys to do one in the next couple of days and will take lots of pictures. probably monday.

[buildinga55]

Great information. I will look forward to the pictures.

[blyguy]

heres a link i found that is quite in depth. hope this helps. check it out and if u have any questions i will answer.

http://www.route66restorations.com/1.html

the last few steps are not required. the rubber moulding should be sufficient to prevent leaks. we have never added butyl or sealer and have had no problems.