The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors 1951 Vent Window Replacement

I am rebuilding my 1951 3100 vent window assembly. I cleaned/painted the frames, and purchased new rubber, glass and glass tape. I am having trouble getting the new glass to fit in the vent window frame. It is a very tight fit, but will not go the last 1/2" or so. I am using the rubberized cloth tape, liquid soap and hitting it with a rubber mallet. I am about ready to give up and just use adhesive in the channel and set the glass in place. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is using just the adhesive to hold the glass in place a bad idea?

When I did mine, I used mineral oil, not liquid soap. Here's the whole story -

BillyBob Log

Did you check the thickness of the replacement glass compared to the original glass?

Also, there are various thicknesses of the setting tape.

I have followed the instructions in the Shop Manual and used the thickest tape that would allow installation of the glass. Then, once the glass was installed, I saturated the tape with thin motor oil (the tape expands and sets-up the tape against the glass).

git r done, I used the Adhesive and it looks nice. If you go this route be sure to cut the tip of the tube as big as you can. Its nice to fill that channel up the first shot. It can get messy if you don't.
Then I placed my glass in the channel, closed the wing vent and then pulled the glass back just a tat to make sure it was tight against the vertical strip and locked it closed. Waited a day then trimed the excess off and it looks nice.
Note: don't pull the glass back to tight against the vertical bar or it may be just a tat tight when you close it afterwards.
Just make sure its tight enough to prevent wind noise.

I bought the glass and setting tape from Jim Carter. I agree it is tight
but, it ultimately went in nice and snug.

I found that by heating the setting tape just enough to be more pliable
really was the trick. A few seconds in the microwave or a hair dryer should do it.
I laid mine out on top of the pizza oven to be just right!

The heat allows it to squeeze out in the tightest areas... then just trim with a razor.
I used steady pressure on the long side of the glass against a block of wood, while pushing down on the frame.
Maybe use a heat gun to reheat if it cools off and wads up while doing this.

I took out the calipers and measured the thickness of the glass plus the tape wrapped around the glass. I compared that measurement to the inside diameter of the vent window channel. They are almost exactly the same, so I knew it would be a snug fit, but doable. I think I will use more lubricant and oil instead of soap and try again. I want to stay as close to original as I can but not go nuts over it.

I know you said 1/2", and that's too much, but remember the glass does not go all the way into the channel- it does stick out past the frame a bit- mine was just shy of an 1/8". Don't be afraid to smack it! I doubled up a bath towel on a wood bench and set the glass on the towel with the flat edge down then laid the setting tape on the edge with the metal frame on top and smacked it!! with a dead blow. Just when I thought it wouldn't go any further I would say a prayer and SMACK it a bit harder. The last few blows I hit it so hard, if it was a nail into a 2x4 it would have taken 3 hits.....what's the worst thing that could happen - a new peice o glass Hit it man hit it