<VV> windshield install

[Bill Hubbell]

I feel like I must jump in here and comment on this subject.

It is true that the reproduction weather strip is not the same as the 
original, but you cannot fix the problem just by modifying the trim strips.

The factory weather strip was made from four different sections (Top, Left 
side, Right Side, Bottom), which were "welded" together to make the unique 
piece.  The side sections had a variable depth - thicker at the bottom.  The 
bottom section also had a variable depth - thicker at the outer ends. 
Because of this, the side and bottom trim pieces also have corresponding 
length changes in the retaining flange that inserts into the weather strip 
channel.  Most people who install the replacement weather-strip focus only 
on the trim strip, and believe that making the trim strip flange length 
uniform will fix the problem.

However, a closer look at the factory weather strip compared with the 
replacement weather strip, as well as a close look at the window frame it 
all inserts into will reveal the real problem with the replacement.  The 
window frame itself is thicker at the lower outer corners -- that is to say, 
the distance from the body pinchweld flange (what the weather strip locks 
into) to the outer body "skin" (what the outer lip of the weather strip 
covers) is greater at the lower outer corners.  The factory weather strip 
takes this difference into consideration, such that channel that holds the 
glass is constantly right up against the pinchweld, while the weather strip 
is thicker at the lower corners.  The trim retainer has to be thicker at the 
lower outer corners to span the increased thickness of the weather strip in 
these locations.

The problem with the reproduced weather strip is that it is NOT thicker in 
the lower outer corners.  Thus, when it is installed into the window frame, 
it has to attempt to stretch (in thickness) in these locations.  Since it 
can only stretch so much, it has the tendency to pull the glass forward, 
away from the pinchweld.  Glass does not take to being bent like this, so 
the weather strip tends to be pulled inward, creating a flattened appearance 
in this location.

All of this happens no matter what you do with the trim pieces, because the 
problem is that the weather strip does not fit the windshield opening.

If you ever have an early windshield out, take a look at the frame, the 
weather strip (factory and reproduction) and you will see what I am talking 
about.

My advice?  Find a soft original weather strip and re-use it.  In the 
meantime, we could all try to pressure the manufacturer to make a correct 
weather strip.

Bill Hubbell



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Geoffrey A Johnson" <geoffj at unm.edu>
To: "Lonny Clark" <Lonny.Clark at metro1.com>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> windshield install


>  As the instructions that come with the  seals usually explain, the depth 
> of the channel that the stainless fits in is not as deep as the originals, 
> and unlike the originals, the depth remains the same the whole length of 
> the stainless.   So what you ideally need to do is take the lower 
> stainless piece  and bend the lip that retains it in the gasket flat on 
> the outer edges, then mark a line that is the same height as the the 
> center area of the  bar.  Then rebend the lip following that line, so it 
> has an even depth at the outer edges, the same as the center, same height 
> all the way across.  Then cut using a dremel or tinsnips etc, the new 90 
> degree retaining  lip off so that it is 1/8 inch or so.  The stainless 
> will then fit correctly in the new gasket. It is critical when installing 
> the windshield to mark the center of the windshield and center of the body 
> and line it up by those marks when installing.  Do the install on a hot 
> day with car facing into the sun. Then once in the car  you have to do 
> considerable massaging of the windshield to get it to fit in all the way. 
> Eventually it will pull in all the way and be correct, but you have to 
> push and pull a fair amount to get it centered. HTH
> Geoff Johnson