The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop windshield/rear glass install

It's time to get the glass put in the '56 3100, small back window. I have done many searches , videos, etc and am still confused. I have talked to several glass people in the area and they are way out of my price range to do it...2-3 hundred dollars for what...1 hour of work when I supply all the stuff, so I guess I need to try it myself..I just ordered the gasket and am confused if I put the gasket in the truck and then the window or put the glass on the window and install into the truck. I see it both ways on the search. I have seen the thing about the rope and I figure on getting some popsicle stickle sticks and stuff, have friends that can help but I need advice, tips, tricks and probably some help....TIA

Put the "gasket" on the glass. Put a cord in the groove that sets on the sheet metal. Place the whole thing on the truck. Get the rubber as lubed up as you can, you will wash that off later. Push into place as well as you can. When you pull the cord or string the rubber gasket will walk up and over the sheet metal setting the glass in place. Go slow and take your time. It is not as hard as you think. Try it and you will have a new skill.

I used the cord method as well and the glass popped right in when I got to the last few inches. Use lots of lube and go slowly. Use some venetian blind cord that I had and it was the perfect size.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I sure hope to get this done soon without busting something. I have named the truck Murphy since if it's possible to go wrong....It will. Thanks again to all that responded

The windshield is a rope-in, the backglass will need the rubber on the body, then install glass and lock strip.

Use lots of Dawn and pick a warm sunny day to do it outside. The hotter the rubber is, the better it works.

I have seen folks use a hook tool to help pull the rubber over the metal. Like a tool to pull cotter pins. Amazon has them in CRL brand. Also thin plastic push sticks to push rubber in place.

I have not done mine but plan to when I get there. We had my son's 66 done by "pros" and decided we could do them ourselves with good rubber (Steeles), some of these tools, and patience. He ended up helping them do his so now he is my "expert adviser ".

It helps to have two people. One inside one outside. also buy some little plastic pry bars HF has them and so do some hardware stores. For the rear glass fitting over a flange put the rubber on the truck first. The one thing Super Glue, Eastman 910, Isocyanurate (SP)does work on is gluing the ends of the rubber together. Steele told me the orange hand cleaner without grit in it works real well as a lube.

The plastic pry bars are called "bones" in the body shop industry. My son has a big body shop, so I had expert help with mine. Those things may really made out of bone?

Terry - good man for trying to figure this out and save some dollars for rest of the truck. Hang in there with Murphy and let us know how the window install turns out.

Murphy, darn wish I had thought of that...none of the names I called my truck can be used out side of my garage.

So, Let me see if I have this right. The rubber goes on the windshield and then gets put in the truck...The rear rubber goes in to the truck and the glass gets put into that Right?....no wonder I'm confused.I plan on using this tire-soap stuff. It is a purple liquid that is kinda thick and slicker than snot...I think it should work good, or at least I hope it will. Gotta get some friends here to help with this. One more ?...I ordered the rubber but it isn't here yet. Is this a one piece thing or is it a strip that has to be joined...If it has to be joined, does the seam go at the top or the bottom?...Thanks for all the help so far

Terry. GM put the seam on the backglass and qtr. glass gaskets at the top. The lock strip butts at the bottom. Cut the gasket about a 1/4" long and wedge/spring in with a dab of super glue or black RTV in the joint. That said, I was taught to put the seam at the bottom when I started in the glass business 40 years ago. That helps keep the top on while installing. The hook tool mentioned can also be found at Sears as a cotter pin or radiator hose tool. Round the point slightly with a file or grinder, otherwise it will dig in and tear the rubber. Hope this helps. John