1957 Door Weathersptripping Installation

[Charles C.]

I am trying to correctly install the door weatherstripping on my '57. In a picture posted in an earlier tech reply of an original '57, push pins at the rear of the door are shown going through the weatherstripping and into the door but their spaced is different from the spacing called out in the illustration on page 137 of Noland Adams' book (Corvette Restoration, vol.1). My questions are:

1) Are there push pins inserted through the weatherstripping and into the door all along the weatherstripping around the door? How many are used and what are their spacing?

2) On another point, the assembly manual for the '57 shows a metal strip (folded over onto itself) for holding the rear end of the weatherstripping on the door, but it is not clear exactly where it is attached; is there an illustration of this in some publication that you could point me to?

3) On the auxilary weatherstripping at the front of the door, I have two sets: a set I bought many years ago that is a firm rubber - not quuite as firm as the sole of your tennis shoe - and a current set that is more like a spongy foam. Any suggestions on whether the firm set will cause problems because it is too firm?

4) Would appreciate any other "mistakes" that are commonly made in this installation so I can try to avoid them.

Many thanks
Charles
214 725-1385
ccotropia@sidley.com

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Door Weathersptripping Installation

Charles, here are a few pictures of an original 57 which may help.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Door Weathersptripping Installation

and a few of the right door....

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Door Weathersptripping Installation

Charles, the weatherstrip retainer is held on by the door end cap screw. Good photo in the new 56-7 Judging Manual. Gary....

[Steven B.]

Re: 1957 Door Weathersptripping Installation

I am trying to correctly install the door weatherstripping on my '57. In a picture posted in an earlier tech reply of an original '57, push pins at the rear of the door are shown going through the weatherstripping and into the door but their spaced is different from the spacing called out in the illustration on page 137 of Noland Adams' book (Corvette Restoration, vol.1). My questions are:

1) Are there push pins inserted through the weatherstripping and into the door all along the weatherstripping around the door? How many are used and what are their spacing?

2) On another point, the assembly manual for the '57 shows a metal strip (folded over onto itself) for holding the rear end of the weatherstripping on the door, but it is not clear exactly where it is attached; is there an illustration of this in some publication that you could point me to?

3) On the auxilary weatherstripping at the front of the door, I have two sets: a set I bought many years ago that is a firm rubber - not quuite as firm as the sole of your tennis shoe - and a current set that is more like a spongy foam. Any suggestions on whether the firm set will cause problems because it is too firm?

4) Would appreciate any other "mistakes" that are commonly made in this installation so I can try to avoid them.

Many thanks
Charles
214 725-1385
ccotropia@sidley.com

Charles, I have looked at a few other '57's and compared to mine (original weather stripping never removed) and it "appears" all of the cars have very similiar spacing, if not equal car to car by location. I assume the guy at St. Louis put the same number of pins in each car and if someone drilled an extra hole(s) you could see the difference. If you replace the pins where they were removed from the original holes you should be right on. 'Don't forget to smear the adhesive all over.

I don't know if there was a template for drilling the holes of just be experience and by eye. Hopefully someone else knows.

Good Luck!

Steve

[Charles C.]

Re: 1957 Door Weathersptripping Installation

Steve,

Unfortunately, my car was completely redone by someone who filled all the holes everywhere. Believe it or not, I cannot see the holes as the door has been completely repainted.

I think I will have to go to someone's car and measure off an approximation of location.

Are there pins all the way around the door?

Thanks.
Charles

[Garry B.]

Re: 1957 Door Weathersptripping Installation

Charley, sorry I can't help you on how to place the holes where they have been filled in, but I can help you on the other issues.
1. There should be four holes at the front portion running down from the door post and another four at the rear of the door that tend to run from the latch area upwards. This is a total of 8 per door. You will most likely need 16 new buttons and will need to try to find original GM. The repros will do, but not quite the same material and configuration. There are no buttons other than these eight per door.

2. The retainer is installed by removing your door end cap nut and washer and installing the metal clip through the hole. Place the end of the w/s within the open end of the clip and fold the other portion over the w/s so that it is sandwiched between the two sections of the clip.

3. I would use the new ones because they are less likely to tear.

4. Installation, be sure to start you application at the door post end that is molded to shape into the door post. TRY NOT TO STRETCH the w/s when you are placing it around the door. Just lay it down where there is no gap and you will be okay. Once you get to the part that fits into the retainer clip make sure you have it long enough to reach, but not so long that it gets bunched up in the clip. Cut with a utility knife like you are slicing bread. Using scissors compresses the w/s and your cut will be very crooked.
GOOD LUCK!

Garry #18531

[Rod K.]

Re: 1957 Door Weathersptripping Installation

Section F, sheet 13 of the AIM shows a total of 9 holes, 5 front and 4 rear, with associated hole locations. Front holes are spaced 2.50 inches apart starting 3/16 below the top of the fiberglass at the door post, just above the larger access hole for one of the post screws. Rear holes are at .50, then 1.75 from the inner face of the door (upholstery surface), then 6.50 from the second hole and another 2.50 for the last along the length of the W/S. All holes were to be located and drilled after the W/S was glued in place, so they are referenced along the "axis" of the strip except the upper two rear holes measured in from the upholstery surface. Hope this helps if you don't have the AIM, a good refernce in which to invest.