Vent window seal replacement

[oldwagon]

Is it worth the time and money spent to replace all the seals on the vent windows on my '83, or can they be replaced? The replacement door windows are usable, but I would like to replace them with something that is in a little bit better shape.

[TimQ]

I'm in the process of replacing the seals in my vent windows. Have the driver's side out now and just painted the external surfaces that were pitted and rusted (trim around the vent window and the bar that separates the vent from the main window).

So far it's been easy. Maybe 20 mins to get the vent window out another 20 or so to get the old seal off. Had the clean some adhesive, sand, and then prime and paint.

I did the replacement seal route b/c the replacement vent window units are expensive...I've seen between 250 and 350 per window. I've got maybe 100 or 125 into the job and that includes all the window seals for both doors (window channel for the main window, felts for the inside and outside, and the vent window seal) plus two rattle cans (primer and black).

I guess I could have left it, but doing this will take care of the noise and occasional leak in the vent window and the price is far better than the replacement option.

[oldwagon]

Thanks, TimQ. Appreciate the advice. I will probably go that route.

[TimQ]

Lesson #1 I just learned (and I am sure there will be more). Be sure to confirm which type of seal you have...1 piece or 2 piece. My '86 should have had the 1 piece type but it was the two piece version that, according to the catalogs, should have been last seen in '85. Oh well.

[donut]

Changing the vent seals can be a pain, but worth it in the end. IIRC, somebody had a glass shop put the seals in, after doing mine, I wish this was the route I took.

A forum search should give you tons of useful info. ( I'd link you to some, but dial-up's painful...)