Fitting a windscreen, any tips?

[Ratty]

The screen in my 63 is starting to de-laminate in places and though I was going to just live with it due to the costs of replacement (Getting on for $1000 by the time its shipped to the UK), but I've just been offered a good used one for a measily £50 ($80ish) locally so it looks like a swap is on the cards.

What I'd like to do is fit the better used screen but also remove the one thats in it now in one piece to save as a spare. So, any tips on removal/fitting a wrap-around screen without breaking it?

Ratty

[Clyde65]

Only advice I cn give you is go slow and cut the old weatherstripping off and ease it out from inside. make sure the vehicle is inside and warm.

[aerotruk63]

Use a sharp knife and cut the rubber from the outside to expose the complete windshield. Gently push from the inside while someone holds the windshield from the exterior. I've heard that using the company " Soft Seal " is the way to go when installing a new windshield. The guy who installed mine after the truck was painted, slapped on the windshield with the palm of his hand while installing. He said if it was going to break, this would be the time.

[S-31]

If you can save the old seal you will be better off in the long run. I took the windshield out of my 62 this past summer and fought for hours with a new seal trying to get it back in and finally just used the old one and had it back in in no time.

[firefighter736]

We installed my windshield with a seal from ClassicParts and a piece of small diameter rope. Here is a good example of how we did it:

http://www.novas.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2470

As long as you have someone applying pressure to the outside while someone pulls the rope inside. As the rope comes out the seal opens and then settles onto the pinch weld. I was really surprised at how quick the whole thing was.... Probably 10-15 minutes start to finish. We didn't use a sealant... We also sprayed soapy water on the seal to make it a little softer.
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[theastronaut]

Warm the seal up before you install the glass, use a lubricant that won't get sticky as it dries, make sure the pinch weld is clean and smooth, and start pulling the rope from the middle and work out. It also helps to have a "hook" tool to pull the rubber lip over the pinch weld in the places that the rope missed, and for areas on the outside where the outer lip gets folded under. Only slap the windshield to seat it with a "cupped" hand so it builds air pressure underneath your palm to cushion the blow and stay a few inches away from the edge or you'll crack it.
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[markeb01]

When it's all done and you're ready to slap the windshield to help in seating the glass, be sure to remove any rings from your fingers.

[Ratty]

Excellent tips guys, thanks a lot! Going to wait for a warm day in the summer before doing it (Yes,we do have some of those in England!), I'll let you know how I get on

[Greg63]

It can be done by one person - I've had mine out 4 times and re-used the gasket the first three times. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460756

It is MUCH easier to do on a winshield/gasket without trim.
Greg

[Ratty]

Bugger, I have trim...

[Greg63]

It can still be done but it takes a lot more patience..
I was using a new gasket but if you re-use your existing gasket it will probably be much easier.
Greg.

[BMERDOC]

I used 1/8" rope to pull mine through. I used liberal amounts of foamy glass cleaner to lubricate. I set it in the lower channel and had to work it down some to get the lower in. I was able to pull the top rope about 30mm towards the upper corners, then pulled the lower around and up to the corners. Once both ends were at the corners I tugged on both ends to make the corner pop in. Slapped the glass around the perimeter to get it to settle some more. I just did it about a week ago. It took about 10-15 minutes.

[Ratty]

Thanks for that, might take a little longer with a wrap-around screen though