61 windshield leaks

[Ken A.]

The windshield on my '61 leaks in the rain. I usually don't drive it in the rain, but when we drove it to the NCM in '09 and back on Route 66, we got caught several times and had towels covering the dash. We will be driving it to the National next month and I expect it will rain at some time, so I'd like to at least reduce the size of the water fall. I think it is leaking where the windshield post and the crossbar meet. That is not a smooth transition and there is a gap in the rubber at that point on both sides. I tried to push or squeeze the stainless piece to tighten this up, but it doesn't seem to want to move. Is there anything I can put/squirt/squeeze in there that will plug it up? Or, are there better ideas other than removing the windshield which I'm not going to do.
Ken

[Terry D.]

Re: 61 windshield leaks

Ken
Can you post a picture? Have you got inside and had someone with a hose rain on the car so you can pinpoint the leak? Most of these cars leaked when they were new, but mostly where the top meets the windows.
Terry

[Robert S.]

Re: 61 windshield leaks

Do what I've done in my 60. Start on the windshield chrome or convertible top with black electrical tape and half lap the tape until on the windshield glass. The adhesive does not transfer and it is secure in the wind. The glass must be dry when the tape is applied. I usually get caught doing this under an interstate bridge. Have fun.

[Mike M.]

Re: 61 windshield leaks

a sure cure is to remove the windshield assembly and disassemble the glass from the frame then re-assemble using 3M urethane caulking compound between the glass/weatherstrip and the weatherstrip/windshield frame assembly. a better temporary solution, than electrian tape, is the use of duct tape between the header and the windshield. I prefer the aluminum adhesive tape that tin-bangers use for hvc duct work.mike

[Ken A.]

Re: 61 windshield leaks

An NCRS judge, '62 owner and friend of mine suggested 3M strip calc. Got some at the auto paint store and stuffed it in the cracks between the joints. Turned the hose on it and it seems to be working. Now if only the side windows were even close to fitting the top, we wouldn't have to wear raincoats when it rained!
Ken