Hello Tom,
If you are replacing the seal, removal of the old windshield must be done carefully to prevent breakage. First remove the interior trim from around the windshield. Removal of the wood is not necessary but it makes the job a easier, however wood removal is a project in itself. Remove the lower chrome trim on the exterior cowl only. Do NOT remove the chrome trim, inserted in the rubber, around the windshield. If you have a new replacement windshield seal, use a sharp utility knife and plenty of soapy water to cut the old rubber windshield seal allowing the windshield with remaining old seal to be removed easily. Trying to save the old hard and stiff seal will cause more difficulty during removal and may result in breaking your original windshield. After the glass and seal is out carefully remove the metal chrome trim in the rubber seal. Be extremely carefull not to bend or distort this trim. It is aluminum and very easily bent. Clean the old windshield and the opening. From what I have observed, no sealing compound is used by the factory. The new rubber seal should be soft and pliable and should seal without compound. Clean the windshield opening and windshield glass. Install the new seal on the windshield glass. Use plenty of soapy water and install the chrome trim into the new rubber seal. I use a length of plastic clothes line (rope approx 3/16 " diam. )and install it in groove of the rubber where the windshield locks onto the metal windshield opening. This rope should begin and terminate in the middle , bottom of the new windshield rubber seal . Overlap two ends and leave at least a foot at each end extra to pull. Here again plenty of soapy water will help. Get some help at this point. An extra set of hands makes the job easier. Set the windshield assembly in place with the rope ends inside the car. Be sure that you have not forgotten to install the chrome trim in the rubber seal. Next center up everything in the windsheld opening. One person, should begin pulling the rope ends while the other person applies some downward and inward pressure. The lower edge rope should should be pulled slowly then begin working up the sides. As you progress the person on the exterior should carefully press inwards. Do not expect it to fall completely into place immediately. As you progress the windshield seal will begin pulling itself into the opening. The person inside should make sure that the rubber seal seats over the metal opening as the rope is pulled inward. Keeping the windshield centered from side to side is a bit challenging. Adjustments during installation must be done carefully. A little too much stress can crack your new glass! After installation and clean-up install the lower exterior cowl chrome trim and interior trim.
Alternative: Most professional glass installation is inexpensive and they will come to the car. They will replace the windshield free of charge if they break it. They will also guarantee against leaks if a new rubber gasket is used!
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
