<VV> windshield install

[Ron]

Who is the manufacturer of the windshield weatherstrip that the vendors 
sell?  I would think that the vendors would have the most clout in doing 
something about this and it's important as most every early will need a new 
seal sooner or later.
RonH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Hubbell" <whubbell at cox.net>
To: "Geoffrey A Johnson" <geoffj at unm.edu>; "Lonny Clark" 
<Lonny.Clark at metro1.com>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 5:50 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> windshield install


>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
>
>
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