kl hansen - for reasons I cannot figure out, I couldn't respond directly to your post but here is what I wanted to share -

Yes it fits outside the pinch welds. Looking at the cross section of the Steele gasket, it fits in the "window opening" in front of the pinch weld. I estimate that the opening is supposed to be 15.820 with a +/- tolerance of .020 at the center from the information found in Section 1 sheet 63.03 of the FAM, by subtracting B from C on ref. # 39 and 42 and adding those to the 15.160 pinch weld opening dimension you referenced. My window opening measures 15.750 using a tape measure. So I'm approximately .070" short from nominal and .050" short on low limit window opening, I think. So would .025 - .035 per side prevent installing a windshield? Another concerning measurement is the Steele gasket. The distance from the window groove bottom face to the face that sits in the window opening is .320/.325". If the window is 15.438 (rounded) and the window opening is 15.820 , that leaves .191" clearance. Would that mean the gasket compresses .135" roughly all around? I wish someone had a 1954 or 1955 1st series sitting around without a windshield and could take that center measurement. I suppose if the "Glass Guy" grinds away glass and makes it fit, all's well. My need to understand is overwhelming. lol

Ron - - Dusty53
1954 Chevy 3604
In the Gallery Forum
"You can't dance with the Devil and then wonder why you're still in Hell."
"They will forget what you've said, and they will forget what you have done but they will never forget the way you made them feel."