I was watching a car restoration show where they were installing a windshield in a early 50's car, I think it was a 57' chevy. They used a thin rope caulking strip in the pinch weld before they installed the gasket. Can this be used for 49-52 cabs/windows?

 

I doubt it . Best to use CL Lawrence butyl rubber caulk, a box of gloves ,plenty of rags and mineral spirits to clean up with . It gets messy but provides a leak proof installation . The windshield installs from the outside in & the back window installs from the inside out . Good luck & you will need help .

Used some masons dry line on both trucks .

 

Yes!!....the rope trick is pretty much the only way to install the rubber gasket on a flat windshield or rear window.

The windshield glass is slightly bigger than the frame...install that from the outside and pull the gasket into the cab. For the rear window, start on the inside and pull the gasket out with the rope.

You can use some non-hardening butyl sealer. Here's a link that I posted a few years ago that will show you the steps: https://www.ford-trucks.com/g/album/875118

Regards,

Dan

 

Sounds good Denny. I'll be taking out and replacing my rear window and installing a new rubber. Can you tell me exactly where the caulk goes? is it between the glass and the rubber or between the rubber and the window flange?

 

Abe, you can put some in both places. My glass was installed by me with new rubbers and no sealant and no leaks.

Dan the OP was talking about a thin rope of CAULKING, not using a rope for the install.

 

Indeed...I miss-read that post.

I'm pretty happy with the butyl sealant. It is messy, but the excess cleans up with some paint thinner if you get after it while it's still wet.

Dan

 

I used the 3M strip caulk exactly as described in the video you watched. I put a strip all the way around the metal flange prior to positioning the rubber. I then used the cotton rope inside the glass channel to work the glass in.


It worked great and I have no leaks. I didn't use any other kind of sealer.


One tip I found very useful was put the box of strip caulk in the refrigerator overnight before using it. It really helps in getting it in position without sticking to everything in sight. It is really sticky stuff at room temp.


Good luck!!!

 

Any special type or size rope?
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Abe, both areas . It will get messy !

 

I don't recall the specific size but it looked very close to a clothes line to me. You want it to be able to tuck down into the rubber channel but not so small it looks like string.


I hope that helps.

 

I installed the windshield in my '49 and didn't use the rubber cement as recommended in the shop manual. The bottom corners leak every time it rains or I wash the truck. Some day I'll pull the glass and redo it. It's only been about 20 years.