Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

[Gary B.]

I just finished reinstalling the main, side window glass in the passenger’s door of my ‘66 coupe. I wanted to thank two people for suggesting a simple, but ever so helpful, tip that made the installation process so much easier. The tip has to do with the rear metal channel that captures the lower end of the rear vertical fuzzy run. The channel in question is shown in the next photo, with the top end at the upper left and the bottom end at the lower right. For a coupe, that channel is GM 3840595 for the driver’s side, and GM 3840596 for the passenger’s side.

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A close-up of the upper end is shown in the next photo. The metal-reinforced fuzzy run inserts into the side facing down.

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Credit for the following tip goes to user jrm5657 (Jim Messmer) on the Corvette Forum and to another person who provided text and photos (as a PDF, I believe, which I have since misplaced or discarded) showing the critical modification. Maybe that 2nd person will read this posting and identify themself. In any case, the extremely helpful tip is to extend the elongated hole near the top of the rear metal channel so that the hole is converted into a slot with an open end at the top. The modified part is shown in this next photo.

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Doing that simple modification makes it possible to slide the channel up behind the rear, vertical fuzzy run so that the slot slips around the waist of the “bubble” clip in the fuzzy run. Sliding up the channel into place avoids the need to snap that bubble clip into the original hole in the metal channel. Those bubble clips can be very difficult to snap into their holes, and given where that bubble clip is question is located makes it incredibly difficult to snap that particular clip into the unmodified hole.


Gary

[Ronald L.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

Gary, you are six month ahead of me I'm thinking.
Did you find the PDF instructions?
Where did you get the new belt moulding weather strips and flock runs?

I'm thinking there are two different suppliers making them.

[Gary B.]

[David Z.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

See page 14 of the attached PDF. You can remove the lower channel from the fuzzy with the window out but as stated above putting it back in is a bear. That's when it occurred to me to slot the upper hole for the clip. It definitely makes putting things back together much easier in that area.
Dave Z

[Gary B.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

Dave,

Ah, that’s what I had been looking for. I asked Rich Mozzetta if he could save a copy of your 2014 updated PDF in the database of restoration documents in the sticky section of the TDB.

Gary

[Gary B.]

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[Ronald L.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

Thanks Gary,


Anyone else have mid-year coupe glass sealing from the repro suppliers?

[Richard M.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

Dave,

Ah, that’s what I had been looking for. I asked Rich Mozzetta if he could save a copy of your 2014 updated PDF in the database of restoration documents in the sticky section of the TDB.

Gary

Gary All done. I added to the Update Page and noted it on the Main Page.

Rich

[Gary B.]

[David Z.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

Gary, Rich,
Thanks for updating the pages!
Tapering the slot as shown above is a good idea! Cutting that slot sure saves some headaches on reassembly of the channels.
Dave Z

[Garry B.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

I am going through the process now and started shopping for the new channels. After looking at Corvette Central, Paragon, Ecklers, Zip I have concluded the following. In my research someone mentioned that they ordered theirs from Paragon and when they received them they had Corvette Centrals name on them. Unfortunately LIC is no longer, but wonder if Paragon has received and inventoried the old LIC channels? To be honest, they all look pretty much alike if their site allows you to zoom in and look at them closely. I went to order them from CC thinking they must be one if not the only maker of these and they are "out of stock". Zip is probably going to be my next choice only because I can see their product up close and it looks similar to CC's. I also checked Top Flight and there was something about their photos or product description that didn't feel right to me so I am going to pass on them. Does anyone know who makes these and are there any differences? I haven't ordered yet.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

Guys
this is real simple
for the cost to tool these up you are not going to have four or more sources

maybe two
I got info from CC

They make the main channel
I got info clear
but the other pieces not sure they do

the seals are shakily made in Michigan

i hope they are better than 12 years back!!!

lic nor paragon were making these

there are ample imports.
Coming from other sources. West coast CA

i had really bad quality parts from zip
horrible so I’m keeping purchases local

[Gary B.]

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[Garry B.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

Thanks for the pics Gary. That could be very helpful. In looking at the various vendors I found some interesting things. Top Flight shows two levels of channels at two different prices. The more expensive set $149 delineates that the have the correct square bead on the one side. The less expensive pair at $129 does not delineate that difference. I also see that Volunteer Vettes delineates the square bead as well and they are also $149. Looking at the rest of the usual suspects, CC, Paragon, Zip, Ecklers, etc. they do not delineate that theirs have the correct bead. The up and down side is Top Flight does not have inventory, but VolunteerVettes does. CC also says they are out of stock. Whichever I get I will compare the location of the bubble clips you have provided. Thank you. Garry

[Garry B.]

Re: Tip for installing the rear metal channel for the side window glass in a C2 coupe

I have an update for all of you looking for the C2 coupe window channel correct replacement part(s). Virtually everyone is out of inventory and have been since at least July. Some of the vendor sites don't tell you that they are out of stock, so I started calling to have them actually check the shelf regardless of what their online inventory status shows. It was my luck day. After striking out at several of the usual vendors I got ahold of Nate at Zip and he said that there was one set left and he would go pull it for me if that is what I wanted. After verifying with him that they were the right ones with the square outer bead, etc., I took them. I will have them tomorrow. Most vendors said that they expected more inventory by next month, but that they have been saying that since at least July. Happy hunting.