Looks like I might have a line on a used (in vehicle) windshield for my '64 hardtop from and auto wrecker. But I'll have to remove it myself. I've never tackled something like this before.
Any help and advice would be appreciated.
From those who've done it before... How hard is it to remove without breaking it? Do I need any specialty tools? How long does it take to remove? What is the procedure?
Any and ALL advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
-- Edited by 64283 on Monday 24th of April 2017 09:29:43 PM
I had a professional change the rubber seal out on my back window of the same car a 64 hardtop. I watched him do it and although it looked like the actual science behind it was basic he told me due to age, unseen chips or unexpected sticking parts it was a real dice roll. I think you are almost better finding someone who guarantees the work and spending the cash. trust me I like to save money to but how horrible would it be if something happened and it shattered? You would be driving with goggles this summer or purchasing a new one! I think if it had already been replaced in the past it may be a better scenario though.
Carefully cut the old seal apart to free the window. Buy a new seal put it on the glass set it over the opening and lots of soapy water and carefully roll the seal under the flange and it will fall into place. Have some extra hands and take your time have patience
Thanks everyone for the replies. I was kind of on the fence about tackling the job myself. (never having removed one before) But I've decided to buy new.
I found out that the wrecker who has the car is "one of those old auto wreckers". You know the type, where everything is "rare" and everything is priced according to gold on the stock market. I can get a new one for $500. He wanted close to that price, plus I have to go to the back 40 acres of his yard and get infested with wood ticks amidst swarms of mosquitoes and remove it myself while running the risk of breaking it... not to mention ,.. burning $100 bucks gas to get it! Auto wreckers are still the same,.. they want 75%-85% of new price,... they're lazy and usually sporting green teeth with 3 week old meat ball stains on their greasy overalls,... and they're doing me a favor by selling me the parts that I take off. And of course they want cash,. no receipt. I just remembered why I no longer go to auto wreckers
I can now say that I'm officially done with considering parts from wreckers!
BTW,.he probably has a hood for a '64 (that you were asking about) but certainly it will be a price that no sane minded person would pay.
Deciding that I'm buying a brand new windshield,.. I feel great already!
Thanks for the responses. Maybe the info that others posted can be of help to someone else.
-- Edited by 64283 on Thursday 27th of April 2017 03:38:49 PM
If you do any USA shopping, i would highly recommend you check with AutoCity in Isanti minnesota, they are the major supplier for classic auto glass, and it will be in the 200 or less range.
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Beaumontguru
MY BEAUMONT HAS 4 STUDDED TIRES AND 2 BLOCKHEATERS......AND LOTS OF OIL UNDERNEATH. The other one has a longer roof.
I actually go to Minnesota a few times a year. This might give me an excuse to do a road trip to Minneapolis I would imagine they'd ship to Lancaster MN.?.? I usually have all my auto parts shipped to the parcel service at Bernstrom. If I can't find a reasonable price on a new one close to home (Winnipeg) then I'll do the road trip to Isanti.
For the DIY person - the best piano wire to cut out a windshield / is what Speedy Auto Glass uses.
- the special-thin wire is actually extruded not round, but has a square profile
- so 4x the cutting edges, over the 360 degrees cross-section
Their Glass Technicians scraps yards of this wire daily / wire is used once, and into the scrap bin it goes.
About an hour outside Winnipeg. Thanks for the advice. If you know any good glass shops around Winnipeg,.please let me know.
Thanks again
Can you wait until Monday? I am south of Winnipeg and our shop does a fair bit of glass. I'd like to check on a price to see if I an compete with the store in Minnesota that Dave suggested (which, by the way, is a great place to deal with in my experience.)
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
I checked with AutoCity in Isanti. Great guys! However, they told me that the 4 dr hardtop for '63 and '64 is no longer available
They did tell me that Plinkington might. So I phoned them,.. they do have them still available. (It sounds like they make them on demand if someone orders.) US$206 and US$150 shipping= $500 CDN drop ship to Lancaster MN. Not bad if it wasn't for shipping and the crappy CDN dollar right now.
So,... I think my search is over. I'll get one from Plinkington on an upcoming road trip to the US. It's brand new,. factory tint. And what's 500 bucks these days anyway? '63 and '64 hardtop windshield glass IS now really hard to find. So you for the rest of you 63/64 hardtop owners out there,.. if you still need a windshield.,. get one while you can!
-- Edited by 64283 on Wednesday 3rd of May 2017 09:39:49 PM
I have been thinking of finding a spare windshield, just in case my 55 year old windshield decides to try to catch a stone. Though sometimes its not by choice.