63 Coupe Door Panel Installation (Where it mates to the rear upper weatherstripping)

[Richard G.]

I have seen the answer, in this forum, before, but I can't find it again so here goes.

How does the stainless steel wire that protrudes from the upper weather-stripping at the back of the door interface with the door panel on a 1963 Coupe?

Below are pictures of what I am talking about.
One is a GM part and the other is a aftermarket replacement.

I believe this is the aftermarket one;



Likely this is the GM one;


Exactly where is interfaces on the door panel isn't addressed in the service manual or the assembly manual.
Pictured below are snapshots of original panels.


This is the panel I pulled the upper steel from.


Pictured below is the replacement Al Knoch panel end where the weather-strip interfaces with the panel.
I punched the small hole, it was not there when the panel arrived.


I was planing on inserting the stainless tail into the small hole but I haven't been able to get it assembled using this method.

Where does the tail go? Just under the panel? Or does it get inserted, as in the panel would have to be slid towards the front of the car to remove it without bending the stainless steel tab.

I had purchased Corvette Central panels. I sent them back. They had so many issues. On one side I couldn't open the vent window fully as it impacted the door panel at 3/4 open. I was unable to get all the screws in the doors, both sides! The "S" that is embossed in the forward part of the door panel (above the hinges) didn't match the edge of the door. And I couldn't get the "L" stainless molding installed without slotting the one hole that goes into the top section of the panel. (The upper steel). It was obvious the top steel panel was not attached, stapled, to the cardboard backing correctly.

I have had none of these issues with the Al Knoch panels. Frankly I am amazed at the quality differences. I did send in my top steel section and had my replacement panels built using the GM upper steel piece. I received a $90 credit on the price of the new panels because I send in my old steel parts. Turn around time was about two weeks.

Rick

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 Coupe Door Panel Installation (Where it mates to the rear upper weatherstrippi

When I asked that question NCRS TDB member (and good friend) Rich Mozzetta provided pictures of his 63 coupe -

[Bob W.]

Re: 63 Coupe Door Panel Installation (Where it mates to the rear upper weatherstrippi

Frank, Thanks for sharing those photos as it will be helpful when get to that part on my 63 cp.

Thanks Bob

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 Coupe Door Panel Installation (Where it mates to the rear upper weatherstrippi

Frank, Thanks for sharing those photos as it will be helpful when get to that part on my 63 cp.

Thanks Bob

No problem.

I CAN tell you there was no way for me to make the transition with the "tubes" that nice with my older Al Knoch repro panels (from about 4 years ago).... I got close but not perfect...

[Richard G.]

Re: 63 Coupe Door Panel Installation (Where it mates to the rear upper weatherstrippi

I have been attempting to figure out what is going on here.
Typically if I look at it long enough I can figure out the original designers intent.
For those that don't know this upper weather-stripping is a 63 only part. It was redesigned for 64.

What I have found;
I have two different weather-stripping. One was purchased on EBay a long time ago.
It is missing the metal reinforcements piece at the bottom. I am confident the supposedly OEM GM piece should have had the steel at the end as there is a hole for a snap in the door. There was also the remnants of the snap on one side of the door. Highly likely I just got screwed on that piece.

A picture of the reproduction upper weather-stripping with the steel lower piece;

Notice the snap on the one side. That is the piece that had broken off the original w/s and was still attached to the door.

Moving on. I had to purchase the weather-stripping as a pair so I have a reproduction felt channel for the side missing the metal reinforcements.
This should solve the missing lower steel section problem..,

Drivers side door;
This piece has the lower steel reinforcing attached to the reproduction weather-stripping. The snap wasn't in the on the hole in the door and I was not able to get it in.
Closer inspection indicated the lower steel section of the weather-stripping was on top of the vertical window run channel. It appears it should be behind the vertical felt lined channel. This would give it room to catch the hole. Also move the steel reinforcement to the back. This would keep the window from riding on bare steel as it is now.

Picture of the snap as found assembled by the rebuilder;


It still isn't really clear how the inside stainless steel extension, that is part of the upper weather-stripping, interfaces with the door panel.
I plan on straightening out what I know is incorrect first. Then giving the interface another look.

[Richard G.]

Re: 63 Coupe Door Panel Installation (Where it mates to the rear upper weatherstrippi

Thread it difficult to follow. I am not the greatest technical writer.
One last picture. Give a good indication where I am at.
Shows the interface of the vertical weather-stripping and the door panel.



I't thinking about bending it under the door panel and calling it good.