59 windshield install

[Robert D.]

First of all thanx to all for the help on the frame assembly wasn't as hard as i thought with your guidance.
but when i place the frame on the car i couldn't get the lower molding around the curves to sit all the way down. i belive the stainless is sitting all the way down on the frame. is this a common problem? i have about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch space in those areas. any suggestions or is this acceptable.
thanx
bob defalco

[Mike M.]

Re: 59 windshield install

make certain ALL the t-bolts are going thru the holes in the cowl before tightening any of them. if just one t-bolt isn't thru the hole and you tighten the adjacent ones, the crack that developes in the windshield glass will point to the improperly positioned t-bolt. been there. mike

[Robert D.]

Re: 59 windshield install

the bolts were all through with washers and nuts on them. i also tightened them evenly a little at a time
bob

[Don Izzo]

Re: 59 windshield install

Bob, Prior to installing the whindshield frame on my 60 I checked out every C1 I could locate in southern NY. I looked at at least 10-15 cars and Nearly every one I viewed, and now including mine, has the same gap you are describing. I installed and removed the frame several times on my car and even used a NOS lower noulding which when laid on the cowl alone had a perfect fit. I finally gave up trying to improve on the gap. When I asked other owners at car cruises and shows I was told there all like that. Don't know if thats true but I havn't seem but one or two that aren't.

Don

[Dennis C.]

I Aree With Bob's Obervation...

... Finding perfect 56/62 windshield lower trim to body fitment is a few and far between kind of thing. Sounds like yours is average to good. Some choose to fill the gap with caulking which seems to visually soften the dissapointment...

[Dennis A.]

Re: 59 windshield install

Bob....

Take a wood 2x2 (1x2ok) that is long enough to stay away from the glass...use it to tap the lower molding moving around the windshield from the point it is down. Worked for me....Good luck

[Robert D.]

Re: 59 windshield install

i tried the 2x4 thing helped a little but to stiff

thanx everyone i feel better now
bob

[Mike E.]

Re: 59 windshield install

My experience is that the factory fit was always better than my fit. For some reason, I, too, would usually end up with one portion of the lower molding sitting higher off the car than before I started. It's easy to end up that way, and easy to break a windshield trying to get it better. Good luck on whatever you do--I have no magic for you.