47-55.1 '54 One Piece Windshield Install

[JoeDude]

I purchased glass from Auto Metal Direct and have been spending hours wracking my brain trying to figure out how to get it set in. Finally, I am beginning to think it was not cut to the correct size. The bottom edge set in tight and secure. From the pictures, it seems the top edge is too high. You can see on the side that there is clearance enough to fit the weatherstripping.

Has anyone else used AMD with good results? Any other supplier?

BTW, I didn't know how to rotate pics here. Left side of pics is top of window.

[chevyguyase]

It seemed my was to big, but it was the one I took out of it. I did not use the sealant some people recommend. Are you pulling the seal over the rim with cord. I used cord and lots of rubber lube. Luckily I had a neighbor gal that weighed about 100 lbs that was able to push on the windshield while I pulled the cord. Watch this video.
https://youtu.be/TGimNuT6XyIi

[JoeDude]

Hey thanks for the info. I just wish the video was for the '54 Chevy. My glass is brand new from AMD. I firmly believe their vertical dimension is off. I'm convinced that if the top of the glass edge is above the pinch weld, it's impossible to get the rubber weatherstripping groove into the pinch weld. The bottom of glass and weatherstripping were firmly set into the pinch weld. Pinch weld to pinch weld measured vertically is about 1/8" less than the height of the glass they sent me. Aside from the weatherstrip side and top flaps that go on the interior side, did the window set in nice and snug and no binding?

[chevyguyase]

Mine was so tight I thought I was going to break the windshield. I reinstalled the same glass after painting it and replacing the rubber. It does sound like yours is to big. Good luck.

[mongocanfly]

Do you have your old windshield to compare it to?
I still have my original, the glass measures 15-5/8" vertical from the wiper post area of the windshield, but yours could be different in radius or otherwise
Although I've installed glass before,thats why I let the pros do my mine...
After I watche'd the pro break 5 windshields in my C30, I was glad it was on them and not me

[JoeDude]

I never thought to keep the broken original glass. The new tempered glass from AMD measures 15 1/2". I measured pinch weld to pinch weld vertically at 15 1/4". It seems to me that the glass should be 15 1/4" and the tightness of the weatherstrip would hold it secure in place. Horizontally, the glass is just about right meeting up with the side pinch welds. In my area, I'd have to search a bit to find someone to come to my house; otherwise, I'd have to have the truck towed.

[leegreen]

Some windshields are slightly larger than opening and the non symmetrical shape of the rubber forces a tight seal at outer windshield frame and outer surface of glass once (if!) you get the inner lip pulled over pinch weld.

so look at the rubber, is cross section a symmetrical H or is slot for pinch weld offset?

Old VWs were like this, I don't think I ever got one of those back in without breaking it and I have never done a '54 / 55.5

Precision has good videos on installing glass, I don't see one for '54 / 55.5 but viewing the other AD and Task Force videos might be helpful

[mongocanfly]

well.my original glass is bigger than the AMD..it should fit..
sounds like it would be worth it to look up a old school glass man

[JoeDude]

The rubber has a slot for the pinch weld. From my photos, you can see the glass goes way above the top pinch weld. You can see on the sides that the glass is just at the pinch weld.
BTW, I have the S.S. trim piece that should further tighten up the weatherstripping.

[JoeDude]

Just a note. AMD only sells the 15 1/2" high glass for the '54 Chevy. I need 15 1/4". They will send me a refund after I break the glass and send them a photo of it.

[leegreen]

Does that mean there are two different versions of the cabs?

[JoeDude]

Do not really see how cabs can be that much different. AMD glass comes from Tiawan. Ya never know exactness. Many people have complained about metal parts not fitting that came from Asia.

[leegreen]

Mongo's original glass is taller than yours and fit his cab

AMD is going to refund yours once you break it, that sounds like a free pass to me, at this point they'd be happy if you got it installed and they did not need to refund.

So try installing it before you break it? Maybe it sits in front of the pinch weld.
or break out the belt sander and try making it smaller. Nothing to lose

There was lots of weird 'safety' stuff tried with auto glass back in the 50s and 60s, keeping passengers from being ejected, keeping broken glass from going into the car.....eventually leading to windshields glued to pinch weld starting in early 60s. The first one piece and curved windshield for GM truck division maybe was weird too

[JoeDude]

I spent hours trying to make it work. I'll just take the refund and try a different manufacture that can give me a measurement. I'm sure I will pay more.

[vintovka]

Had both of mine installed as recommended by an experienced friend. First one lasted 2 weeks before and 18 wheeler tossed a bolt right into it. I recall both Glass men *****ed whole time but got them in with much effort, special tools and lots of lube. Their hands were bright red from slapping it into place. Almost same problem with corner and rear window. Latter was a slider and still leaks like sieve. Cannot recommend sliders at all. See link for pics.

[mongocanfly]

The glass does not fit between the pinch welds,it sits outside of them..
Have you tried a different gasket?..if they'll warranty it even if it breaks,you have nothing to lose but try

[dsraven]

from the glass I have installed over the years I remember having the same issue until I figured out that the rubber holds the glass in front of the pinch weld, not inline with the pinch weld.
lots of lube-I've tried everything from dish soap to tire mounting lube-use something water soluable-never tried KY....haha, a small rope in the rubber to assist pulling the lip over the pinch weld, tape around the area to prevent scratches, a good helper who isn't overzealous and lots of patience. if it is getting to you then walk away and come back later
have you checked the assembly manual for their way of installing showing the drawings etc?
there is a screwdriver looking tool that helps. it is a screwdriver with an angle bent into the end of it and a small ball on the very end. the ball fits into the rubber to assist with the rubber getting over the pinch weld.
https://www.crlaurence.com/All-Produ...%20set%20glass.
https://www.gtglass.com/products/pig...-rubber-gasket
https://www.gtglass.com/products/sel...-tool-ball-end
https://www.kimbridge.ca/products/ru...l-end-10-255mm

[dsraven]

steele rubber also has a video on installing the old style glass. there are others on youtube as well.

[JoeDude]

Thanks all! It is starting to make sense. The glass should lay on the outside of the pinch weld which adds security when your cruising 55-60 mph and the wind force is trying to push the glass in. The sides clear the pinch weld but maybe that's ok. I believe I got my weatherstrip from Precision. Could Steele Rubber be a better fit? Here is a pic of my old rubber that came with the truck. Pinch weld grove is definitely higher than grove the glass sets in (in pic, front of weather strip is bottom where grove for SS trim sits and top sits in pinch weld).

[mr48chev]

I'd check around a bit and see if there is an experienced glass shop worker who does side jobs installing windshields. That is a windshield and not a back glass?

I'm thinking that federal motor vehicle laws say that the windshield glass has to be laminated and cannot be tempered. Side glass and backlite either or but windshields have to be laminated to be legal.

[JoeDude]

My mistake. It is the windshield and probably laminated (kinda thin though). I'm thinking the weatherstrip might be the problem or... there is a heck of a lot of forcing to keep both top and bottom in front of pinch weld while keeping weatherstrip pinch weld groove in place. I'm looking for a Pro.

[jwhotrod]

joe Dude since you are in carpentersville why dont you call Glass Guy Chicago to help you. he has done 4 streetrods for me and he is well known in the custom car community. He is in Round Lake and phone #224-637 5107 hes a great guy and very reasonable.

[JoeDude]

Originally Posted by jwhotrod

joe Dude since you are in carpentersville why dont you call Glass Guy Chicago to help you. he has done 4 streetrods for me and he is well known in the custom car community. He is in Round Lake and phone #224-637 5107 hes a great guy and very reasonable.

I was unaware of Glass Guy. I did do an internet search and found Nacco out of Mokina. They came to my residence (my truck is long ways from roadworthy). Three and a half hours later...they didn't finish the job. I have the ss trim and the guy did not realize it needed to be applied before the glass install. He bent one strip. They will get the replacement and hopefully finish the job next week.