70 windshield upper reveal clips

[Bill L.]

I have opened pandora's box once again. I removed the windshield and all the reveals with no problem. I have a little rust on the frame but really no big deal. Plenty of good steel. I will treat with POR 15 and fill the very minor holes with their epoxy putty after treating the rust.

Now for the hard part. All the screws in the clips to retain the reveal are rusted/frozen. Should I just drill them all out?


Thanks!

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Bill,

Not exactly what you were asking for, but I would use Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator rather than POR-15, for a multitude of reasons.

See here:

http://www.eastwood.com/rust-encapsulator.html

[Steven G.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Bill, it's been a while since I replaced a corvette windshield or clips, but most gm's had studs and screws were used when studs were gone, until we are better informed, if they are screws, I would spend time on removing old screws, if they are the original holes to get best results, keeping things original is always best. Steve

[Chuck S.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Bill, it's been a while since I replaced a corvette windshield or clips, but most gm's had studs and screws were used when studs were gone, until we are better informed, if they are screws, I would spend time on removing old screws, if they are the original holes to get best results, keeping things original is always best. Steve

Those particular clips are screwed to the upper windshield frame as Bill says. I agree on not drilling them out...only after everything else failed would I drill them out. Try that penetrating oil everyone swears by (Kroil?), and let them set a few days...try too hard too soon and you'll strip out the cross recess in the screw head; then you can drill them out.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Well I guess I will try soaking them.

Does anyone know what size hole it was so I can determine the drill bit size. Looks like someone before me stripped at least one or two. I stripped one already.

[Bill C.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Paragon sells a clip/screw set for the front windshield.

If it were me, I would look into the feasibility of relocating the screws/clips.
If you look at the back edge of the upper chrome, you can see all the area that is available to position a new clip at.

I would grind the old screws flat to the frame, coat with a epoxy sealant and then drill a new set of holes a 1/8" L/R of the original hole and mount the new clips.

I am talking from memory here, but I don't believe that there is a "one" position only" for the clips.

*****
I think that -not to sound negative- you will probably end up with a couple more holes stripped.
*****

My 2 cents ..

[Chuck S.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Well I guess I will try soaking them.

Does anyone know what size hole it was so I can determine the drill bit size. Looks like someone before me stripped at least one or two. I stripped one already.

My memory and my experience tells me those are flat headed, countersinking #8 metal screws, probably 1/4"-1/2" long.

The problem with drilling them out is you have to start your hole in the exact center of the screw (typically next to impossible) or you're removing threaded material in the windshield frame. I believe you'll need a drill bit on the order of 1/16" diameter (maybe slightly larger) to minimize the damage.

To estimate drill size for drilling out fasteners or for drilling pilot holes, I hold the drill bit in front of the fastener...the drill should cover only the area within the minor diameter, i.e. below the depth of the threads. Chuck the bit up short; it'll minimize bending and to make drilling more stable.

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Experience tells me those screws are hardened, and drilling will be difficult at best. I would grind them out -- this would be a good use of the Dremmel.

[Mike G.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

i had to drill mine out, welded the holes and redrilled. lots of rust.

if a screw head is stripped out use a pair of dykes( side cutters). put one jaw down in the hole and grab the outer edge with the other jaw. then just unscrew the screw. you will be amased at the torc you can get doing this. it will destroy the screw but you will get it out. this is a trick you WILL use again.

[Jack H.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

If they're factory original, they 'might' come out easier than you think. The AIM called for sealant on the threads which I assume was another 'Dutch boy with his fingers in the dike' method of preventing water invasion into the bird cage. You might try a torch to see if thermal shock helps free them...

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Well I was able to carefully drill out the one stripped screw. The others are soaking. Using a short drill bit worked well.

I will soak another day or two and then try using the hammer with the phillips head screw driver to tap on it some. The windshield is out.

I think I will try Mikes method of using the side cutters. Mike, I am assuming that you first tore the clip off the screw?
.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

What a royal PITA.

I drilled the first one out. Cannot even get a drill in to the next one. Cobalt too.

They are all frozen even after a week. I think I will just leave the remaining screws in place and drill new holes with new clips for the upper reveal.

All I wanted to do is put in an original windshield I picked up from Carlisle.

Patrick,

Why do you recommend Eastwood over Por 15? I have used Por 15 with excellent results. I used it on the inside of the windshield frame on the corners where there was a little rust. I also heard good things about the Bill Hirsch product.


Thanks as always.

[John H.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Patrick,

Why do you recommend Eastwood over Por 15? I have used Por 15 with excellent results. I used it on the inside of the windshield frame on the corners where there was a little rust. I also heard good things about the Bill Hirsch product.


Thanks as always.

I'm not speaking for Patrick (he's on a trip and may or may not have internet access), but POR-15 is not UV-resistant and must be topcoated. That's why the original black silane primer was applied on the inside of the windshield - so UV wouldn't deteriorate the Thiokol adhesive. Later cars that had the black "frit" painted on the inside of the glass used clear silane primer (neither Thiokol nor urethane will adhere directly to glass).

[Chuck S.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

What a royal PITA.

I drilled the first one out. Cannot even get a drill in to the next one. Cobalt too...

You probably fried the drill bit on the first one. If you're to drill them out, you would need to buy a drill bit for each screw, or the Drill Doctor we discussed recently.

Terry knew what he was talking about...they're hardened. Mine unscrewed with no problems.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 windshield upper reveal clips

Well I finally got two to break loose. Once loose they back right out. It looks like if I just soak and keep rapping the screw with a phillips head screw driver they will come out. I was too impatient in the beginning.

Also got two drilled out. Thanks for all the help.

Patience is the key and I hate to wait