39 Hudson Windshield install

DirtyDave

I need to get the windshields installed. Have new rubber, new glass, not a lot of knowledge.

1. I assume the seals form a "C" around the glass, not sealing the center post.

2. Does the seal go on the car or the glass first, I assume glass based on #1

3. Am I missing a specific rubber piece for the center post?

Jon B

As I recall, on my 1937 (which has essentially the same body as the '39) each half of the windshield glass had its own 4-sided gasket.  Top, side and bottom portions of the gasket had the same cross-section, which fitted around the edge of the glass and included a flap that fitted over the metal flange around the opening. 

When installed, you saw the flap running around the perimeter of the outside, and it sat directly against the painted part of the windshield.

 The 4th side (at the center divider) was a C, or channel, which fitted around the glass and lay against the outside of the center divider metal.

The gasket was first pre-attached to the glass on each half.  I believe I them mounted them on from the inside of the windshield, pushing outward.  The first problem would be getting the front rubber flap through the opening in the windshield.  This was accomplished by running a length of twine around the recess behind the flap of each side and tying it so as to form a complete loop. Then, as one person held the glass and surrounding gasket from inside the car, and pushed it up against the windshield, the second person would snag a little section of the flap, bend it down around the metal flange of the windshield opening, and fish part of the loop out so you could grab it.  Then stick your finger in the loop and start to move around the perimeter of the glass, pulling the flap out and around the metal flange (so that the forward thickness of the windshield actually starts to come through the metal opening).  Eventually the flap has actually been pulled through the hole and is now on the outside of the windshield, and the rest of the rubber gasket is on the inside. 

Do this on the left and right windshield halves..  The vertical part of the 2 gaskets (at the divider) don't meet.  There is a gap through which you see the metal windshield divider with the mounting holes in it.  Then the cast metal windshield divider trim is laid over this joint (between the two windshield halves and screwed in, from the inside of the windshield. It may be necessary to run a bead of silicone sealant around the underside edges of the divider trim before installing, so as to make a good seal with the rubber divider strips.

PaulButler

Great description and pictures Jon!

DirtyDave

thanks

found the correct seal and got it done.

I use the twine on a complete surround seal but used the soft plastic "pry" tools that come form Harbor Freight. You cant beat them! But the twine may have been easier now that I reconsider.