Ok. Big box of door/window parts arrived. So I get to stop dreaming about the new drive train for a bit.

The first thing I went to do was assemble the vent window. I bought new glass, new vent window assembly (frame the glass goes in) and seat tape. Made the assumption that was all I'd need.

When I put the glass together, the seat tape doesn't hold the glass in as well as I thought it would. For example, top of the frame is loose enough that it doesn't really hold the glass in place at all.

I've been looking at two options:
- Use some silicone adhesive sealant, and clamps (assuming I can figure out something to work on all the angles) to get everything in place
- Pay someone to put it together for me.

I'd rather take the DIY approach, and I've only tracked down one glass shop that'd put my own parts together for me... they want $200. Seems excessive.

That shop also advised me that I should be waiting until the door is put back together and the window frame is in place. While he may be able to install it that way, it would really make my silicone/clamp idea tougher to do... of course closing the vent window in place may accomplish the same thing.

So long intro to two questions:
- When is the best time to put the glass in the frame permanently... before or after the door assumbly?
- Either way, How am I supposed to get the glass to actually stay in place?

Thanks to all. I did search the forum for this problem first... found a thread that was close, but didn't follow through with confirmation that anything actually worked.

Thanks!

 

I did my 56 vent windows with silicone, on the bench, before assembling into the door. Trick is to mask everything accurately, so to leave a tiny 3mm bead. Peel the tape off when the silicone is wet, and you're good to go. When done on the bench, there was no need to hold the glass with anything but gravity and silicone. Good luck.

 

I used this article when I did mine. I know it's a 55-57 chevy, but several parts are the same for our trucks.

Vent Window Restoration - How To - Hot Rod Magazine

 

Can you lay the window frames down on a flat table and tap the sides with a rubber mallet enough to tighten the grip on the glass with the holding tape? Any chance it would hold better if you flip the tape over?

 

Thanks to all 3 of you. imlowr2, that's a great article, if I'd seen it before I started I might have tried to rebuild more of my old parts.

Shane, reading your suggestion was a "duh" moment for me. Went home and tried it last night, a few good taps with the rubber mallet, and doubled up the tape in a couple specific spots, and it does seem to have worked much better.

I'm just a little worried, as the glass seems to stick about 1/16 of an inch further out of the frame assembly than the original glass/assembly. So I'm reserving the "success" call, until I put the door back everything back together... Looking at the passenger door (that I've not taken apart yet) I think it will be just fine.

Thanks again... once again, the forum comes through