VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum window vents

I need help from someone who has installed new rubber seals in vent windows with rivets. I purchased the seals from steele and I believe the rivets came from them as well. I did order the rivet tool from another supplier. The rivets do not seat as the original and are not acceptable to me. Does anyone have the solution to getting close to a stock factory appearance? Johns 3100

What year is your vehicle? If it is a truck you might have better coverage on your questions if you post in the "Chevy Trucks" forum further down on the Forum List page.

I suspect the process is the same for a car and truck if the seal is rivited in. Thanks

johns3100:

The vent window seals consist of two rubber pieces: the straight piece with holes that is riveted to the channel bar, and the curved piece that goes around the curved part of the vent assembly.

I purchased the vent and window seals, and the rivets and rivet setting tool for my '54 3104 from The Truck Shop. I understand that Steele Rubber Products are outstanding, but I am pleased with the items from the Truck Shop.
> Kit in upper left corner of page
> Rivets and tool shown in first column of page

The pivot rivet that holds the vent window to the frame must be drilled out and the vent window removed. Use rivets and a rivet setting tool to rivet the straight rubber piece to the division bar. I clamped a piece of 3/8" aluminum plate into my vice and sat the plate into the channel of the division bar to back up the rivets as I pounded them home. Pad the plate with a few layers of painters tape to avoid scratching the paint on the division bar. Do this before you install the division bar fuzzy insert. The curved rubber seal presses into place. A little dish washing liquid makes it easier. Finally reattach the vent window with a pivot rivet and setting tool. I used the same aluminum plate to back up the rivet. An extra hand helps to steady the vent assembly in both riveting operations.

Buy an extra rivet setting tool and an extra set of rivets. Cut one of the tools shorter to make it easier to use in the tight end of the vent frame. Even with the shorter tool, you will have to use the side of a heavy hammer or some other compact heavy object to pound the rivets. The extra rivets are insurance in case you screw up a few.

My rivets seated tightly. They should sit below the rubber so that the vent window glass does not touch them. They will show through the holes in the rubber gasket. Paint them black if you don't want them to show.


Here are some more sources of info ...
> '54 Shop Manual: (Info in the manual for your model year may be on different pages)
1-7
1-8
1-9
1-10
1-11

> '47-'54 Assembly Manual:
1-19
14-13
1-20
14-14
1-21
1-22
1-25

> '54 Shop Manual on line
> '47-'54 Assembly Manual is not on line
> Info by Alan Horvath re: Window Felt
> Info by Alan Horvath re: Vent Windows
> Jay Barrington Vent Window Rebuild Process

I know that a lot of guys have difficulty setting the rivets. Mine went in without a hitch. Maybe I was just lucky. Hope that you are lucky, too!

- Lonnie

Thanks for the info. I'll order a set from the Truck shop.

Just want to clarify -

The rivets are inserted into the channel side of the division bar and mushroomed on the vent window side.

- Lonnie

Lonnie,
Thanks for the help. I have ordered another tool and rivets. I suspect the biggest problem was my method but I am not pleased with the look of the installed rivet. My original seal has a near perfect roll over and I really want the same look if I can get it. Thanks again