My original gasket was so hard with age I had to cut the rubber around the top and both edges, only on the inside. I used only wooden pieces to poke and pry and layed down and pushed with my feet outward. I just kept trimming, cutting and gently prying and the glass did finaly come free, from inside to outside . Just dont let any metal touch the windshield except for the knife. I used, mainly one of those disposable utility knives that pushes out from the handle and you can expose a few inches of sharp flexible blade and small pieces of hardwood to coax it free. I am in total aggreement at having a pro reinstall, and many of the less seasoned pros will not be able to install it. Make sure when you find and installer he is familiar with the old style one piece gasket. Also the gasket may appear to be way to long, but it will fit if done properly. The outside chrome trim around the windshield goes into the gasket before the windshield goes in. The installer should put the gasket on the windshield, then put the chrome trim in, then intall the windshield using the string trick. The dash wood must be out before the windshield is removed and out before the windshield is installed. Be very careful to "fit" your wood before installing the windshield to check for proper fit and alingment.
