Tips for Installing Vent Window Seals

Submitted to SDC forum by Jerry Forrester The installation was done on a 1955 coupe but will be the same for other cars

Got the new vent window seals and tried to install them without instructions. Started with the top end. When I got to the bottom end, the seal was at least two inches too long. Pulled it back out and started with the bottom end (as if that would make a difference) The seal was seal was at least two inches too long. Pulled it back out and started where pivot pin goes through the seal. The top end was at least 1 1/2 inches too long and the bottom was at least 1/2 inch too long.

Called Bill Fennessey he told me the correct way to install the seals.

Put the seal in the channel where the pivot pin goes through

Put the end of the seal in place

Put the other end of the seal in place

Inbetween the pivot pin and the ends, the seal will be bowed out away from the channel, Work these bowed out sections of the seals into the channel and you are done.

I did and it did and now I have the seals installed

Another Tip from Ray-Lin Restorations:

Take your new vent window rubber and clean it in a 5-gallon bucket filled with Hot Soapy water.

Then dry and re-clean with a strong solvent like denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner. This will remove any "release agent" left from the molding process.

Install the new rubber into the old vent-window frame. I find it easiest to lubricate the rubber with dishwashing liquid and keep a spray bottle of plain water handy.

I start at the inside lower corner and work the rubber into the channel at the sharp bend near the lower pivot.

I work the bottom first and make sure the holes for the window frame "pivot post" and the hole for the small mounting screw are aligned.

Then I work my way up to the top and be sure to align the slot with the upper vent window pivot.