VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 38 Chevy coupe fixed quarter window

Hello, Is there an easy way to install the fixed quarter windows on a 38 Coupe pickup. I have the one piece weatherstrip. Having a very hard time to get it to sit flush and then try to pry the lip over the edge. Seems that the lip is too small, and even with some one pushing from the inside Its almost impossible to get it right. I tried lubing it with soap also. It seems like the rubber is too big or not pliable enough. Is there a preferred place to get this weatherstrip. Any help will be appreciated.

Did you try a small diameter rope around the outside of the weatherstrip with the glass installed in the weatherstrip. Have an assistant push on the glass while you pull the rope and then the lip of the weatherstrip over the metal.

Thanks for replying. Its a pain just getting it in place. That's why I was wondering if some one makes a better weatherstrip, or where is the best place to buy it.

I have been through this on various fixed windows, trucks and cars.
Always a struggle. Lynn Steele in N.C. seems to make the most pliable
gaskets. I like Chipper's technique but I would soak the gasket in very warm soapy water for 30 minutes or so before starting. Two people with
strong hands. My arthritis now makes it undoable----.

Is this one for the rope technique?

A lot of it is the rubber not being exactly as the original. The rubber on my coupe is from Steele and we still had a hell of a time. The body shop did it so I don't know exactly how they got it to finally go in but I do remember them saying they had to put a porto power across the car to push the rubber/window into place and hold it while the rubber relaxed. The garnish moldings are holding it all in place. I have a few pics on my other computer that I'll post tomorrow.

Thanks for all the help will try the suggestions and let you know how I make out.

Below is the fit we ran into (notice the pucker) and the porto power holding it in place. I don't know what the shop did to get the pucker out.

Cut a small "V" in edge of the rubber and then super glue the exposed sides together. With care it will not be visible. Heat gun can also be used but must be careful as too much heat causes blisters.

It's very difficult and the need to put even pressure on the window from the inside is important, just don’t use point pressure. I wouldn't cut the rubber and although it seems to be the wrong size, when you get it in place it will look correct. I used thin plastic cut from a butter tub to act as guides around the window to keep the outside lip of the weather stripping from getting hung up on the edge of the opening. I used plastic scrapers to pry the weather stripping around the lip of the opening until it would lock in place. If you use metal you could scratch the opening. During my first round of installs, I put too much pressure on the edge of the glass using the back of a screwdriver and it cracked, so use even pressure when installing. It takes time, especially if you have to stop and have another piece of glass cut, but when it snaps into place it is surprisingly snug. I tried to use soap but all that did was make it hard to grip the rubber. If you have time I think the string around the outer edge will work but it again will require another person to push from the inside and there is probably a learning curve that would require time to acquire.

Brian

I just installed both quarter glass in my 40 yesterday. It was very difficult to keep the glass pushed against the window opening so you could pull the "lip" over to where it seals. I ended up installing the window garnish molding to where it pushed the window towards the outside. Make sure you don't snug it up too tight. Just make it close enough to where you can pull the lip of the gasket over the car's body. This helped decrease the distance between the window gasket and the window opening (body). It also makes it possible to do this job without an assistant. I used the 3/8 inch rope as seen in a video in youtube to help with the installation. It still was a tedious job. The instructions in the 40 manual were of zero help.

Here is the link to the youtube video



I also ended up with the wrinkle at the upper corner too.

Now, are there any tricks for the rear window? I'm working on that now. It's even more difficult. No instructions in manual at all for rear glass!

Curt