1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

After removing the glass from the sash I reset it using new set tape to the proper position, 3/4" at the rear and 1/4" at the front, protruding so it glides in the forward channel properly.

It took some work to remove the glass. I used 3M Adhesive cleaner to soften the old set tape and a knife to remove it all then I removed the glass. It was a stubborn one.
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I reinstalled the glass assembly in the door and reset the vent window frame adjustments to get the proper alignment. Now the vent frame is parallel to the windshield. before this effort, there was more gap at the top then at the bottom.
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I adjusted the glass sash stops to fit to the soft top, reinstalled the door panel, and all is much better. I replaced the aged rear channel felts on both sides while in there. The originals were quite work and faded. I also touched up all of the missing black paint in the trim racetracks, using a detail brush and flat black paint.
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Done. Before I installed the panel with it's modified "clip" to hold it against the vent frame better, I glued on some black felt to help hide the gap and hide the door internal parts from view. NTP but looks more finished and detailed this way.
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Rich

[Jim S.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Rich ,

Nice job ! . Also thanks for that "heads up" attachment earlier .

I only have one question . Do you put the tape on the window and drive them both into the sash , or put the tape in the sash and drive the window into them . I tried both ways today and neither worked very well .

With tape on window first ,the tape kept sliding to one side or the other , making it uneven upon entry . With tape in sash first , the window kept wanting to fold the tape over on one side or the other . So while you are done already , I am back to square one with a lot of separate but soapy parts !

Jim

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Sorry I didn't take photos as I needed more hands.

After a good cleaning of the sash, I soap up the set tape and put it apx halfway down into the sash. This leaves a flap sticking out a little on each side. When the glass goes into the sash it will slip into it all at once.. I fold the edges of the tape outward to give a bigger gap for the glass to fit into. I then brush on more soapy water. I soap the edges of the glass too.

With the top edge of the glass facing down on a cardboard cushion on my wooden bench, I use a rubber mallet on the backside of the sash to get it started into the tape. I firmly hit the sash down onto the glass. I start on the front end of the back of the sash just inside the small(front) bracket. I work my way along the back of the sash toward the rear bracket. Eventually it gets firmly seated. The soapy water helps it slide down into the channel. Just remember to try to keep the glass as square as possible to the edge on the bench/cushion. Don't hit the glass with the mallet, only hit the sash on to the glass. Make sure your marks for the edge measurements are set. I used those measurements we spoke about.....3/4" from the rear and 1/4" from the front. Here in your other post.

The tape will stretch a bit when the sash is firmly home. I then use a razor blade to trim the excess tape from both sides.

Rich

[Peter M.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Hi Rich,
It has been years since I reset a glass in a sash, but I recall we would soak the setting tape/glass pack in Varsol before installation. It worked very well.
I don't know if the material the setting tape is made from has changed and if it's compatible with solvents.

Kind Regards

[Jim S.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Sorry I didn't take photos as I needed more hands.



Rich

Rich,

I don't know what I did to offend you , or why you would withhold them from me , but you will never make me believe that " You " don't have any pictures !

Seriously, thanks for the step by step , I will give it a try tomorrow .

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Hi Rich,
It has been years since I reset a glass in a sash, but I recall we would soak the setting tape/glass pack in Varsol before installation. It worked very well.
I don't know if the material the setting tape is made from has changed and if it's compatible with solvents.

Kind Regards

Peter, I think it would dissolve the tape used today. I used that 3M Adhesive Cleaner to soften the old one, and it really worked well. I like the soapy water solution as once it's dry it really leaves the tape locked to the glass.

Rich,

I don't know what I did to offend you , or why you would withhold them from me , but you will never make me believe that " You " don't have any pictures !

Seriously, thanks for the step by step , I will give it a try tomorrow .

HaHa, I know, I take too many pictures don't I? But they say so many words, and it helps me remember what the heck I did a long time later.

If you really need them, I can take everything apart and pull the glass from the sash again and do it all over again........Seriously........I'm kidding.

You should be all set. Just take your time and it'll be fine. If you need more info just yell.

Rich

[Peter M.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Hi Rich,
Thanks for the reply.

[Jim S.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

"HaHa, I know, I take too many pictures don't I? But they say so many words, and it helps me remember what the heck I did a long time later.

If you really need them, I can take everything apart and pull the glass from the sash again and do it all over again........Seriously........I'm kidding.

You should be all set. Just take your time and it'll be fine. If you need more info just yell.

Rich " end quote.


Rich,

Followed your instructions to the letter and both windows were set in ten minutes , so you don't have to worry about taking yours apart !
The tape in the channel half way and the hitting of the channel, not the window, were both spot on ! When you have no idea what you are doing , great instructions are invaluable !

As far as too many pictures . BS! Keep them coming and thanks for the sharing them ! I wish I had been half as thorough .

Jim

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Rich,

Followed your instructions to the letter and both windows were set in ten minutes , so you don't have to worry about taking yours apart !
The tape in the channel half way and the hitting of the channel, not the window, were both spot on ! When you have no idea what you are doing , great instructions are invaluable !

As far as too many pictures . BS! Keep them coming and thanks for the sharing them ! I wish I had been half as thorough .

Jim

Glad to be of some help. Sounds like you're all ready to put everything back together now. The tricky part now is getting the rear sash "up-stop" bracket in position while tightening the Phillips adjustment screw. The design is lacking a hole to line up with the Phillips head screw when the glass is in the UP position. Do this adjustment with the soft top or hardtop in proper position.

You have to lower the glass down a bit and use the hole for the door-latch release rod for the screwdriver. It'll be at a slight angle but that's the best place to get at it........

....more pictures as requested....

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The forward up-stop adjustment uses a nut and washer onto a integral stud on the sash, using a 7/16" wrench accessible when the glass is up via the large access hole in the inner door skin.

Rich

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Rich,
To make the door panels fit correctly at the top you need to pull back the vinyl so you can reshape the steel to a curve that matches the original. Fit you currently show is nobwano for me. A clever set up in a press will result in a curvature that fits without loading up the inner door. Then re apply and glue down the vinyl when your happy with the fit. Go slow as you do not want to kink the metal. You are a patient person and I have faith you can get the results of an original.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Gene, I decided not to do that. I was thinking of it but the top stainless trim would have to come off too. I was worried about damaging that and the panel itself.

You're right, I probably could have done it as you suggested, but I chickened out on this one......


Rich

[Ed S.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Sorry I didn't take photos as I needed more hands.

After a good cleaning of the sash, I soap up the set tape and put it apx halfway down into the sash. This leaves a flap sticking out a little on each side. When the glass goes into the sash it will slip into it all at once.. I fold the edges of the tape outward to give a bigger gap for the glass to fit into. I then brush on more soapy water. I soap the edges of the glass too.

With the top edge of the glass facing down on a cardboard cushion on my wooden bench, I use a rubber mallet on the backside of the sash to get it started into the tape. I firmly hit the sash down onto the glass. I start on the front end of the back of the sash just inside the small(front) bracket. I work my way along the back of the sash toward the rear bracket. Eventually it gets firmly seated. The soapy water helps it slide down into the channel. Just remember to try to keep the glass as square as possible to the edge on the bench/cushion. Don't hit the glass with the mallet, only hit the sash on to the glass. Make sure your marks for the edge measurements are set. I used those measurements we spoke about.....3/4" from the rear and 1/4" from the front. Here in your other post.

The tape will stretch a bit when the sash is firmly home. I then use a razor blade to trim the excess tape from both sides.

Rich

Regarding seating the glass in the sash with the new rubber seal, I have some wood working tools in my shop, I took two pieces of 3/4 x 1 1/2 inch oak stock and cut a dado into the wide side of each piece- dado depth is approximately 3/8 of an inch. The width of the dado's are different, one is just wide enough to slip over the top edge of the glass, the other just wide enough to slip over the sash. With the rubber seal lubricated and in place in the sash I placed it on the bottom glass and then placed the wood piece over the sash - the top piece of wood was held in place on the glass with tape. Then I laid the entire assembly on my table and used two 24 inch woodworking clamps and slowly tightened them down, with ever increasing pressure - in very small increments. The pressure forced the sash on to the glass uniformly even until completely seated without applying excessive pressure or sharp blows to the glass. Essentially, the clamp pressure "persuaded" the sash on to the bottom of the glass without sharp blows. Wish I took pics -

[Bill L.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

The repro door panels can be a bit of a challenge....

One thing about the repros --- as pretty as they look it is easy to tell original from repro... repros are generally very hard to the touch --- they will not "depress" as the softer originals will do when you squeeze them....

Also, the arm rest edges on the reproductions tend to have a very sharp radius (almost a point really) vs, the more rounded corner of the originals --- like this recent reproduction --- gorgeous piece but very hard to the touch and a very sharp radius on the arm rest corner.....

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As for fit ---- a little "finagling" will get them to seat correctly --- and they look great.... but you have to make sure you get them properly seated....

Here is a good fit of a reproduction (left side) -----coupe---needs some touch up paint --- :O(

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-----and of course if you miss engaging with the forward fiberglass retainer --- it looks like this----

I did get this to engage properly with a little maneuvering of the panel but no modification of any sort....touch up again but most of the area shown was covered anyway ----

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Hope this helps a bit...

Regards
Bill

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Convertible Door Panel Fit Issues

Thanks for the feedback and photos Bill.....

The coupe has a different profile at the forward vent window area. I can see how this can make it a bit easier to get a better fit of the panel.

Rich