C1 windshield

[Vettemandon]

Has anyone replaced the windshield on their 59-62 Corvette with a new one and can't get the new assembled unit to set down completely in the trough on the cowl? I have about a 1/4 inch gap that I can't get rid of no matter how I try to push it down. Even with the rubber gasket not in place it does not totally set down. Am I doing something wrong? Any comments or help would be appreciated. thank you. Don

 

[vintagecorvette]

Search the archives there is a long thread about installing a windshield on a C1.

Did you install it dry? if so that makes it hard to install.

 

[maxphunn]

Has anyone replaced the windshield on their 59-62 Corvette with a new one and can't get the new assembled unit to set down completely in the trough on the cowl? I have about a 1/4 inch gap that I can't get rid of no matter how I try to push it down. Even with the rubber gasket not in place it does not totally set down. Am I doing something wrong? Any comments or help would be appreciated. thank you. Don

Does the "gap" extend completely and evenly around the base of the windshield, from post to post?

Or is there a raised area in the front that extends from about the middle of one defroster duct to the middle of the other duct?

 

[Vettemandon]

Search the archives there is a long thread about installing a windshield on a C1. I'll check the archives (guess I should have done that first). Thank you, I appreciate your help.

Did you install it dry? if so that makes it hard to install.

Oops, I don't know what you mean by installing it "dry". This is my first (and only - I'll never do this again!!!!) restoration so I'm not sure what some terms mean. Thank you for clarifying, and thank you for responding.

 

[stepinwolf]

Terms

Vettemandon

In as much as you refer to terms, I will let you in on one more. Do not refer to your restoration as being the first , and only, but rather it's second time you make such an attempt, " the first and last time " :W

 

[IH2LOSE]

First and foremost Welcome to the forum and I hope we can get your question answered,I have a 62 I am planning on re installing the windsheild in very soon. I see you have been a member for a while and just recently posted.

So if I may

Can you post a picture of what is happening? or email me a photo.

I assume you have checked the simple stuff like there is nothing laying on the edge/gutter that the windsheild sets into. All of the twelve studs/bolts are going into the proper holes.

was any body work done in these areas that may have changed the mounting area?

I hope to hear from you soon

PS I would have answered sooner but I have been away on a short vaction and was on a SLOW modem connection

once again welcome and I hope you also stop by the "show a picture of your straight axle"post and post a photo of your car.

 

[studiog]

I'm in the same boat as you & Larry{IH2LOSE}... A windshield install looms in the near future. One more thing you might want to check, as was suggested to me by {Z28CANUCK} Check the dimensions of the old windshield against the new one just to be sure the repro windshield is a good fit. From what I understand lots of lubrication, a rubber mallet and attention to detail are very important. I'm sure your search will yield allot of good info for you.

 

[IH2LOSE]

I just re read your question

Are you trying to replace the glass with out removing the windsheild frame from the car?

 

[Vettemandon]

First and foremost Welcome to the forum and I hope we can get your question answered,I have a 62 I am planning on re installing the windsheild in very soon. I see you have been a member for a while and just recently posted. I'm learning about this computer and what I can do with it (Not that I just got the computer, but haven't progressed much past e-mailing and simple net surfing). I've been able to get information about most every barrier I've come across in relation to putting the car together. Thought I would try this forum for this particular problem.

So if I may

Can you post a picture of what is happening? or email me a photo.I don't know how to do this yet. Sorry, I'm not real smart on computers.

I assume you have checked the simple stuff like there is nothing laying on the edge/gutter that the windsheild sets into. All of the twelve studs/bolts are going into the proper holes. Yes I have checked. All is okay in this respect. I'm going to try and "cinch" it down, and see if that brings it down far enough.

was any body work done in these areas that may have changed the mounting area? No, it is all factory.

I hope to hear from you soon

PS I would have answered sooner but I have been away on a short vaction and was on a SLOW modem connection

once again welcome and I hope you also stop by the "show a picture of your straight axle"post and post a photo of your car.

I sure do want to work on being able to do this.

 

[IH2LOSE]

I hope I understand what your doing.

do the outer edges (fragile windsheild post) bolt right down ?And only the center area will not go down

 

[Vettemandon]

I just re read your question

Are you trying to replace the glass with out removing the windsheild frame from the car?

No, the windshield "unit" was removed from the car, taken apart, and new glass put in the frame. The glass was put in by a Corvette shop on the west side of the state. I had all the parts to include OEM glass. When I set the unit back on the car it does not set totally down on the cowl in front. The side frame assemblies set down nicely. All the studs line up and go through the holes on the front frame assembly. All the rubber gaskets are in place (one under each side frame assembly, and the long one that goes around the front). The front stainless molding coming around to the side posts has about an 1/8+ inch gap. I'm going to try and "cinch" the unit down, hoping I don't break the glass. Wish me luck. Thank you. Don

 

[Vettemandon]

Does the "gap" extend completely and evenly around the base of the windshield, from post to post? Not evenly. The gap is a little larger around the curved area right before it meets up with the side frame units. The passenger side has a larger gap than the driver's side.

Or is there a raised area in the front that extends from about the middle of one defroster duct to the middle of the other duct?

No there isn't.

 

[Vettemandon]

I hope I understand what your doing.

do the outer edges (fragile windsheild post) bolt right down ?And only the center area will not go down

As yet I haven't bolted down the side frame units, but yes, the outer edges (windshield posts) set down nicely. It is the center curved stainless that wont come all the way down to touch the cowl area. I can't measure the glass to see if it is the same demensions as the original because it is already mounted in the frame unit. Is my thinking correct that the entire windshield unit should settle down in to the channel area without having to pull it down with the nuts on the studs from under the dash? Thank you. Don

 

[IH2LOSE]

As yet I haven't bolted down the side frame units, but yes, the outer edges (windshield posts) set down nicely. It is the center curved stainless that wont come all the way down to touch the cowl area. I can't measure the glass to see if it is the same demensions as the original because it is already mounted in the frame unit. Is my thinking correct that the entire windshield unit should settle down in to the channel area without having to pull it down with the nuts on the studs from under the dash? Thank you. Don

Don forget the stainless for a moment.

On the bottom of your winsheild assmebly is like a round pipe that the studs come thru.Then the rubber (about 3/8" thick) is what is laid on the cowl trough. The rubber is shapped for the round peice to set in.

Do you have that peice of rubber? does the round tube like peice set down on the rubber flat and only the stainless is out of whack.

how far do your studs stick down into the underdash area?

I dont recomend using the bolts to "cinch it up" untill we find out what is incorrect

 

[Vettemandon]

Don forget the stainless for a moment.

On the bottom of your winsheild assmebly is like a round pipe that the studs come thru.Then the rubber (about 3/8" thick) is what is laid on the cowl trough. The rubber is shapped for the round peice to set in.

Do you have that peice of rubber? does the round tube like peice set down on the rubber flat and only the stainless is out of whack.

how far do your studs stick down into the underdash area?

I dont recomend using the bolts to "cinch it up" untill we find out what is incorrect

BINGO!!!!! The rubber gasket with the recess for the frame assembly to set in had slipped to the back toward the dash pad preventing the windshield unit from setting down all the way. I reached in from the front with a small hook and repositioned the gasket and it sat down nicely. Thank you for your concern and help. I appreciate all that sent me suggestions. It definetely helped. Again, thank you, Don

 

[IH2LOSE]

Don congradulations on your sucsess,


What ever you have a problem with on your restoration,I am sure some one here will be ablel to get you thru it. I know that has been how its been for me. As for being your last restoration, I have said that on every car I have restored.


Now as for posting a picture.If you have a digital camera or even a digital image of your car I can help you to get it posted.

we again welcome to the forum and how about taking the time to tell of about your project.We are all interested in hearing about it

 

[Vettemandon]

Don congradulations on your sucsess, Thank you.


What ever you have a problem with on your restoration,I am sure some one here will be ablel to get you thru it. I know that has been how its been for me. As for being your last restoration, I have said that on every car I have restored. The Corvette Restorer has helped a lot. Trust me, from now on it is "turn-key" for me. I'm getting too old for this.


Now as for posting a picture.If you have a digital camera or even a digital image of your car I can help you to get it posted. I'm working on this. My wife knows how to do a lot, so she is going to help me. I'll keep you in mind if we get stuck. Thank you.

we again welcome to the forum and how about taking the time to tell of about your project.We are all interested in hearing about it

I will post some information in the near future. I am committed to have the car done by September of this year.

 

[critchie]

Don't tighten the mounting studs so as to "cinch it down." That'll crack the windshield. Don't ask how I know this. Windshields can take a pretty good hit. But they cannot withstand twisting or pinpoint stresses.

Check the ST-12 for the torque values for these studs. But it's not much. You do not want to over tighten these.

 

[Vettemandon]

Don't tighten the mounting studs so as to "cinch it down." That'll crack the windshield. Don't ask how I know this. Windshields can take a pretty good hit. But they cannot withstand twisting or pinpoint stresses. Somewhere I had read something saying just what you said, so I decided not to "cinch" 'em down.

Check the ST-12 for the torque values for these studs. But it's not much. You do not want to over tighten these.

The AIM indicates 25-35 lbs. in. Thank you, I appreciate the help.