Love the project..... What brand of weatherstripping are you using for the hardtop seal? I bought SoffSeal for my '73 2 door Electra and am not happy with it. It is a solid extrusion instead of a chambered extrusion like the original. Let me know what you end up going with- Lenny
Every time I see a new post here I am like a crackhead................................. MORE WE NEED MORE PICTURES
Crack? Did somebody say crack? Well, today, I broke the windshield removing it from parts car. ou: It was perfect, and I had planned to use it in my wagon from day one. Oh well, I can use it's original chipped windshield, or maybe look for a new one. All in all, not one of my better days. David
Man you can do stuff with a welder that amazes me. Welding the cap of bolt togetherou: WOW. details sure make your car rock. Sorry to hear about the windshield, but hey we've all had bad days. Good luck!
Bummer.... Any idea why it cracked David? Here it is almost like impossible to find a windshield without an antenna... So I now have a windshield with antenna in my 73 Riviera with optional power antenna :ball:
Well, Rob, it cracked because I was the one removing it. Yesterday was a bummer! But today is looking up! I just called an area auto glass distributor, and they have one in stock - with antenna - for $135! Yea! David
GO, GO, GO! Glad you found some new glass. Keep up the good work. I agree with everybody else...more pictures! :kodak:
Thanks to everyone who has posted nice words of encouragement! :TU: I installed my new windshield a few days ago, and it went very well. Yesterday, I painted my rear pillars with my white interior color paint. They are completely inaccessable once glass is over them, and the white areas show through. I then attempted to install the rear side glass. The windshield went well, so what could go wrong with this? Plenty! Butyl tape is very easy to use, but it is a one shot deal. This glass has so many curves and edges to line up, and I blew it! It was ever so slightly, too far back. I pulled it off, and somehow managed not to ruin my fresh white paint. Whew! I ordered some more butyl tape, and will try again soon. This is a two man job, so I will make sure I have help. My engine compartment is shaping up, but still has a way to go. Very time consuming! Before I started this, I would look at a nicely done engine compartment, and think it was easy to just paint the engine, and then paint everything else black. What is so hard about that? o No: I have my air cleaner assembly stripped and ready to paint, and I also have stickers and labels for everything. Someday soon, I hope to close the hood on a completely finished engine compartment! It won't be perfect, but pretty good for an old engine never removed from the car. p David
David: You can get a cartridge of urethane windshield (window) sealant at a local auto parts store ... a lot stronger than butyl tape and probably seals a lot better as well. I am local to you and do have a couple of suction handles for glass installation. Let me know if you need 'em ... these are large glass panels. Nice job, Dude.
Thanks Ken. I plan to use urethane around the entire edges of all the glass to make sure it is sealed up good. But the butyl tape is necessary, not only to initially stick the glass in place, but also create a dam, and therefore a clean edge. These windows don't have the black masking that contemporary windshields have, so the messy urethane usually shows through. The masking also protects the urethane from UV rays. I may take you up on the use of those suction cups...they just might make this a lot easier. David
Sounds like an extra set of hands might also help. I'm in Garland. Just holler and I can come help if needed. :TU:
Nice work David!!! A tip that I use for installing the big glass is to lay down your butyl tape then run a small amount of urethane on top of the butyl tape and it allows the glass some movement on the tape till glass is in place and then the urethane will set up shortly after glass is in place.In other instances I've found it is better to install the butyl tape on the glass then set glass in the car[possibly with some urethane on the car's window frame to assure a good seal].
Thanks for the tip, Rusty! Sounds like a real good idea! Dean, thanks for the offer to help me set this glass. I may take you up on that! David
