I have a 57 Belair 4 Door Sedan that I am attempting to restore. I have the vent windows out and have new seals or black rubber weatherstrip that I want to replace. Any tips on how to do it. Looking at it I don't see an easy way to do it.
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rj_ly Honored Member Posts: 17575
Loc: Southwestern OH Reg: 11-15-02
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-25-06 06:49 AM - Post#974659 In response to
reel1769
Do not buy the Danchuk seals!
I bought a set for my other Hardtop and stabbed my hand trying to install the pass side seal.
If you can find the Soft Seal, seals use them. They're very pliable and go in fairly easy. Try contacting Gene at Star City Classic Parts. He should be able to help you.
Once you get the
vent frame assembly out of the door, you need to drill out the rivots that hold the vent sub assembly to the long vertical divider post that holds the back side of the vent in the door.
You'll need to buy either new rivots or small screws (I think I used 8/32 screws and nuts) to re-assemble the vent sub-assembly to the vertical divider post after you install the new seals.
But start working the new seal in the vent sub-assembly with an object like a flat blade screw driver. Make sure
to line up the hole for the vent stem that goes down in the door and into the crank mechanism with the hole in the new seals. If you don't pay attention you may find you installed the new seal upside down.
Now would also be a good time to install new whisker channels on the back side of the divider and around the door glass incase you need them.
57 Hrdtp(mine for 40 YEARS JULY 12) 57 210 4-dr Sdn(37 yrs Aug 12) 57 Hrdtp(32 yrs Jan 12)
57(windowed)S. Delivery(31 yrs Oct 12) 57 150 Wgn(24 yrs Mar 12) 57 210 2-dr Sdn(8 yrs Oct 12)
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beejay Deceased Member Posts: 12605
Age: 86 Loc: Pflugerville, Texas Reg: 06-01-04
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-25-06 07:24 AM - Post#974660 In response to
reel1769
reel,
I don't know how much of a vocabulary you have, but these seals will definitely INCREASE it. They CAN be replaced without taking the rivets out, as I did that in my '56. Not all that much difference. As rj said, make sure the holes for the posts of the window are correctly aligned. I don't EVER want to replace
another set!!
Bruce
Bruce
'56 4-door BelAir, 350, Holley 600, Eddie intake, TKO 600, CPP P/S and A arms, Sierra Gold & Adobe Beige 2010 VW Jetta S/W, 2.5, 5-cyl,6-spd auto. '87 Elkie, 350 with 700r4 tranny B&M floor shift
http://www.picturetrail.com/beejay3/"
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brad_bb Valued Contributor Posts: 4269
Loc: Joliet, IL. Reg: 07-13-01
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-25-06 08:08 AM - Post#974661 In response to
beejay
If you're restoring the assembly, you should just do the whole assembly. This means taking the rivets out of the long U-channel that hold the vent window frame to it. To reassemble, you probably want to use some very small stainless machine screws with nuts and lock washers. To install new tubular rivets like it originally had,
you need a special clencher to roll the rivet on itself to hold correctly. A few of us on here have obtained them, but it's not worth the trouble for many people. You need the tool and correct size rivets for the rear quarter window of a hardtop as well as on a couple of other items on the car. Don't worry about it for the vent windows. It's also the time to have your vent window frame rechromed and polish the stainless. New latching mechanisms are also avialable. I think they come with a
semitubular rivet too, but I think you can manage to stake that one. All in all it's not rocket science to restore the vent windows, but it's a few steps and you'll have down time while you are waiting for chroming or polishing.
If someone else can design it, I sure as heck can figure out how to fix it!
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rj_ly Honored Member Posts: 17575
Loc: Southwestern OH Reg: 11-15-02
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-25-06 02:22 PM - Post#974662 In response to
brad_bb
Since you're going all out on this project, why not replacement glass? You'd be surprised how much better a car looks with new glass.
Even the original glass in great shape can have tiny minute scratches from people running their finger or hand over it. After a bit of time these tiny scratches add up.
57 Hrdtp(mine for 40 YEARS JULY 12) 57 210 4-dr Sdn(37 yrs Aug 12) 57 Hrdtp(32 yrs Jan 12) 57(windowed)S. Delivery(31 yrs Oct 12) 57 150 Wgn(24 yrs Mar 12) 57 210 2-dr Sdn(8 yrs Oct 12)
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reel1769 Member Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois Reg: 07-25-06
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-25-06 02:28 PM - Post#974663 In response to
brad_bb
Great info, thanks!!
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reel1769 Member Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois Reg: 07-25-06
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-25-06 02:29 PM - Post#974664 In response to
rj_ly
I have the seals and they are from Ecklers. They are very soft and pliable. I will take your instructions and go from there. Thanks!!
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reel1769 Member Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois Reg: 07-25-06
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-25-06 02:30 PM - Post#974665 In response to
rj_ly
Great idea, thanks!
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reel1769 Member Posts: 8
Loc: Illinois Reg: 07-25-06
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-25-06 02:32 PM - Post#974666 In response to
beejay
I spent 20 years in the Navy so I have a good vocabulary; however, been retired for almost 20 years so forgot most of it. Maybe after I complete this project, I will relearn some of it. Thanks for the info.
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57_sedan_delivery Old as Dirt Member Posts: 6720
Loc: Hog Valley, Fla. Reg: 02-19-01
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-27-06 02:40 AM - Post#974667 In response to
reel1769
Rest assured that the vocabulary will come back to you sometime while working on the car.
My one bud was an Army medic for 20 years and I was Navy so when we worked on the cars sparks would often fly, to the point that his wife (a minister's daughter)
asked mine if that was the way we always talked around the cars.
Mike W.
Founding father Desert Classic Chevys in Phoenix, Az.
1957 sedan delivery 454 TH400 1956 windowed sedan delivery US Dept of Ag car 1956 Chevy 3100 US Navy pickup 1959 rare GMC 100 fleet option 100 pickup
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Tuff-E-Nuff Junior Contributor Posts: 201
Age: 81 Loc: St Louis area Reg: 01-22-06
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Re: Vent Window Seal Replacement 07-27-06 02:06 PM - Post#974668 In response to
reel1769
I'm right in the middle of restoring my vents too.here I agree with the soff seal..they are pretty easy to work with...and fit well too.(lots of soap 'n water)the sub-assy. was a little tuff, but I used a wooden wedge (like ya get at
home depot for a buck), cuz screwdrivers are dangerous in my hands! While I was at it I also replaced the glass like a previous post said. Use the ole hammer for removal) Not all that difficult, its gettin' kinda enjoyable doing these "first timer" jobs.When I was draggin' my first 57 30 yrs ago, I would NEVER have had the patience to be this particular.
