• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Anybody Install Their Own Windshield? 70 Road Runner

PurpleBeeper

Well-Known Member
Local time
5:40 AM
Joined
Mar 20, 2011
Messages
5,341
Reaction score
4,087
Location
Chicago
Has anyone ever installed their own windshield? Any tips to share? Is there more than one windshield seal? The service manual shows "filler" seal too & something about a "locking lip" or something like that you open with a fibre wedge which is a little confusing. Do I need any adhesives or sealers too?

I've always been to scared to break the glass & usually had someone at a junkyard or a windshield specialist put my glass in. This time I have to do some repairs around the windshield frame & cowl area while the glass is out.

Should I just leave it to the glass guys or do it myself? I build motors and stuff, but never have replaced anything besides side glass. THANKS FOR THE HELP!

FYI - 70 Plymouth Road Runner convertible
 
Yes I have.
Going on the you break it you replace it reality how many windshields are you prepaired to purchse before paying a good glass shop to due the job. Not that you can not due it but is it worth what ever the glass cost for the experience.
 
Yes I have.
Going on the you break it you replace it reality how many windshields are you prepaired to purchse before paying a good glass shop to due the job. Not that you can not due it but is it worth what ever the glass cost for the experience.

Yeah, that's why I've always paid somebody else to do it. But this time I have to repair the windshield frame area....which means body shop ($) instead of the junkyard glass man doing it for $40.

I've considered trying to take it out myself, fix the window frame & tow it to a shop to install the glass.... is that still risky? I "heard" putting the glass back in is the tough part or am I dreaming?
 
I had mine replaced by a guy out in Hampshire (probably a bit far for you). He came to the house and did it in my garage and I watched every step. Personally, this is one job I leave to the pros.

The "locking lip" is the gasket. As best as I can describe it is that it folds over and locks into itself. I know that doesn't describe it well, but you understand it better when you see it.

I do believe he used a sealer as well.

Maybe stop by a glass shop and ask for some advice, but be sure to ask if they are familiar with these old cars.
 
If you are going to replace the seal then you can use a razor blade to slice the top part of the seal and remove the windshield to make the repairs to the channel areas. That way you can set the windshield back in if you don't finish. A semi hard seal makes removal and installation that much harder anyway and a new seal is easier to work with. I had to repair 5 small sections in the channel when I replaced my windshield. But mine was a 67 Coronet which should be similar I would think. Don't forget to replace any bad clips for the molding as they are under the seal at the same time. The hardest part for me was the upper corners but other than that not too hard to install.
 
The hardest part is not breaking the glass. If using old seals sticking them in a pan of hot water softens the rubber but getting it dry enough for good sealer bond can be a problem.
 
if you don't cut the rubber before you take it out you will break it get a new rubber and sealer and a windshield bone from a windshield shop and you can put it in yourself I have done every one of mine myself
 
if you don't cut the rubber before you take it out you will break it get a new rubber and sealer and a windshield bone from a windshield shop and you can put it in yourself I have done every one of mine myself

I have a new windshield seal & some replacement trim clips on the way. It sounds like the easiest thing to do is to just cut the old seal. How exactly do you use the "windshield bone"? What sealer should I get?

Someone at Moparts said I need "butyl" (adhesive?) for 6" at the bottom of where the windshield sits (or something like that) before I put the seal & windshield in. What's that guy talking about?

I've heard that the last two, upper corners are the toughest to get in without breaking the glass. Any tips? Should I just take mine out & have a professional re-install?

I would love to just pay someone, but with the necessary body work in cowl area (trim clips + likely rust repair) I'm afraid it'll cost me $1000 at a body shop and they'll have my car for a month.
 
you can get the sealer at the auto parts store use the windshield bone to work corners in the bone is plastic so it won't damage the glass
 
If you don't feel comfortable installing the windshield, do the repairs first then call someone to come out to do the install. At least your car won't be somewhere else for any length of time.
 
I installed mine (1969 GTX) by myself and not at any point was I worried it was going to break. I used the locking gasket by AMD as I found it on Amazon for a good price.

You will need one, preferably 2 windshield install sticks. Just tapered plastic sticks. Windex, 3m 08509 Automotive Glazing and Bedding Compound (comes in a caulk tube).

Use the glazing compound along the entire bottom run of the windshield channel and up the sides 6", also on the L and R upper corners.

Set the gasket in place. It lays in the lower channel and fits over the pinchweld on the left, right and top. Set the windshield in the lower gasket, get it in the channel, hose down the rubber with the windex so it slides easier and work the outer seal lip over the window. Work up one side and over the the other. The top corners are the tough part but keep working it until it drops in using the plastic sticks.

The lockstrip was the easiest part. The inside lip tucks into the outside lip.

20170204_142819.jpg
20170204_142825.jpg
20170204_142837.jpg
20170204_150008.jpg
20170204_151839.jpg
20170204_151844.jpg
20170204_151859.jpg
20170204_151910.jpg
20170204_151938.jpg
 
We just did my Brother in laws. I can verify all of threewoods comments. Follow he advise he knows what he is talking about. Also at no point was I scared the glass would break. Only tip I could add is to tape the gasket at the top just to hold it till you get to that point of working it in at the top.
 
Thanks for those tips and pics on the windshield install.

I've been about 50/50 on breaking on take out, even if cutting the old seal.

Fortunately the ones that broke were not the best.
 
While we're on this topic, I have a question-

I've been told that you can swap the speed nut and bolt that holds the dash on to the cowl.

That is, put the speed nut on the dash, and run the bolt from underneath.

That makes it possible to remove the dash without removing the glass first.

Is that correct?
 
You guys are great and thanks for all the help. I'm going to give it a shot. If I start getting "chicken" I will call a windshield guy on the installation. At least they reproduce this glass now if things go really bad.
 
And it is surprisingly cheap. I expected it to be terribly expensive, but if I remember correctly, I got off for less than $300 installed. Now the rear window might be another story.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top