Tech questions: windshield/gasket replacement and seat belt installation

[JonathanC]

Hi all, requesting your advice on a couple of things. I have recently bought a 1941 Chrysler (C-28 Royal club coupe with Fluid Drive and Vacamatic transmission), it's in great condition but I need to do a couple of things before it can go back on the road in May.

 

1) One side of the windshield has a huge chip and will need to be replaced for the car to pass its safety inspection. While getting that replaced, would it also be wise to source a new rubber seal and replace that at the same time?

 

2) I am going to put seat belts in it; my wife made that a condition when I bought the car not only for me but for our grandchildren ever going in it. Does anyone have any experience/advice on suppliers (especially Canadian ones) and what kind of kit/hardware will work well?

 

Thanks in advance for any input you can offer.

[harmony]

1 hour ago, Jonathan Campbell said:

Hi all, requesting your advice on a couple of things. I have recently bought a 1941 Chrysler (C-28 Royal club coupe with Fluid Drive and Vacamatic transmission), it's in great condition but I need to do a couple of things before it can go back on the road in May.

 

1) One side of the windshield has a huge chip and will need to be replaced for the car to pass its safety inspection. While getting that replaced, would it also be wise to source a new rubber seal and replace that at the same time?

 

2) I am going to put seat belts in it; my wife made that a condition when I bought the car not only for me but for our grandchildren ever going in it. Does anyone have any experience/advice on suppliers (especially Canadian ones) and what kind of kit/hardware will work well?

 

Thanks in advance for any input you can offer.

Yes, definitely replace the rubber once you get a new windshield.  Unless when you pull the old windshield out that the rubber looks and feels soft like new.  It's not the hardest thing in the world to do it yourself, but it's also a good idea to have the guys that make the glass install it. I had both front windshields replaced by an auto glass company on a '47 Chrysler a few years ago.  The installer had lots of experience with older cars.  I actually helped him and it took about 30 minutes to do both sides. 

I'm not sure about the '41 Chrysler, but the 47 rubber was one piece molded with the divider all as one piece so both windshields had to come out, and the entire rubber seal was replaced.  If that's the case with the 41, I'd check the drivers side glass closely once it comes out and if there is any signs of frosting or bubbles around the edges or stone chips etc.  You might as well replace both of them. If you get a glass guy to replace the glass, they might not want to take the chance of replacing an old piece of glass anyways.  As for the rubber, I went with Steele Rubber.  I think they are the only company out there that makes one piece (extruded) rubber seals with the centre divider.

 

As for the seat belts, you could consider KMS Auto Parts in Port Coquitlam BC.  They have a variety of kits.  I'm reluctant to drill holes in the floor of my '48, so I take my chances.

[JonathanC]

42 minutes ago, harmony said:

Yes, definitely replace the rubber once you get a new windshield.  Unless when you pull the old windshield out that the rubber looks and feels soft like new.  It's not the hardest thing in the world to do it yourself, but it's also a good idea to have the guys that make the glass install it. I had both front windshields replaced by an auto glass company on a '47 Chrysler a few years ago.  The installer had lots of experience with older cars.  I actually helped him and it took about 30 minutes to do both sides. 

I'm not sure about the '41 Chrysler, but the 47 rubber was one piece molded with the divider all as one piece so both windshields had to come out, and the entire rubber seal was replaced.  If that's the case with the 41, I'd check the drivers side glass closely once it comes out and if there is any signs of frosting or bubbles around the edges or stone chips etc.  You might as well replace both of them. If you get a glass guy to replace the glass, they might not want to take the chance of replacing an old piece of glass anyways.  As for the rubber, I went with Steele Rubber.  I think they are the only company out there that makes one piece (extruded) rubber seals with the centre divider.

 

As for the seat belts, you could consider KMS Auto Parts in Port Coquitlam BC.  They have a variety of kits.  I'm reluctant to drill holes in the floor of my '48, so I take my chances.

Thanks for the information...my intention with the windshield is to replace both sides with new glass to avoid any disparity between the sides, probably with a standard Solex tint which wouldn't be original but would probably make it more comfortable. I'd like to find a glass supplier locally (Ottawa) but if I can't I have been able to find it online. I saw the seal on Steele Rubber and on the Andy Bernbaum site as well.

[harmony]

7 hours ago, Jonathan Campbell said:

Thanks for the information...my intention with the windshield is to replace both sides with new glass to avoid any disparity between the sides, probably with a standard Solex tint which wouldn't be original but would probably make it more comfortable. I'd like to find a glass supplier locally (Ottawa) but if I can't I have been able to find it online. I saw the seal on Steele Rubber and on the Andy Bernbaum site as well.

I don't mean to pick apart AB because "sometimes" they are correct with a cheaper price.  However I got curious when you said that they have the rubber so I just went to their site, and the description doesn't say much, but one of the pictures shows a coil of rubber.  Which makes me think it's continuous meaning you'll have a joint to seal as well as seal both ends of the centre strip.  Just something to consider. Perhaps ask the guys who will be replacing it what they think about the two choices.

 

Another thing you might have to consider, is if you need to accommodate a SS trim strip.  I'm not too familiar with the '41's but on the '47 I reconditioned, the SS strip went on before the rubber on the front.  But on the back the SS trim went on after the rubber was installed.  The guy who had experience with older cars wanted to come and have a look at the car before the install because he had never heard of the SS trim going on first.   When I ordered the rubber for the front it was the style that did not have a slot for the SS trim.  It simply expanded over the SS trim and about 2/3rd's of the SS trim showed around the outer edge of the rubber.  

Just something to be sure about before you order. 

You've probably discovered that Steele Rubber is a huge amount more expensive than AB. 

Edited March 17, 2022 by harmony

[Bryan]

8 hours ago, harmony said:

As for the seat belts, you could consider KMS Auto Parts in Port Coquitlam BC.  They have a variety of kits.  I'm reluctant to drill holes in the floor of my '48, so I take my chances.

That's another thing I'll eventually have to get to.  Don't mind drilling floor holes for the lap belt types. But wondering how I'm going to get any shoulder type belt on the upper part between the doors without messing up my upholstery. 

[harmony]

5 minutes ago, Bryan said:

That's another thing I'll eventually have to get to.  Don't mind drilling floor holes for the lap belt types. But wondering how I'm going to get any shoulder type belt on the upper part between the doors without messing up my upholstery. 

I'm hoping I'll die of old age before I'm saying " damn I should'ov had seat belts" on my premature death bed. 

[LazyK]

I purchased the AB window moldings for a 51 plymouth and it was infact  just a coil of rubber molding. I then purchased the Steele molded molding. dont know for sure what AB would supply for your 41 but in hind site would sure ask the question. 

[JonathanC]

43 minutes ago, harmony said:

I don't mean to pick apart AB because "sometimes" they are correct with a cheaper price.  However I got curious when you said that they have the rubber so I just went to their site, and the description doesn't say much, but one of the pictures shows a coil of rubber.  Which makes me think it's continuous meaning you'll have a joint to seal as well as seal both ends of the centre strip.  Just something to consider. Perhaps ask the guys who will be replacing it what they think about the two choices.

 

Another thing you might have to consider, is if you need to accommodate a SS trim strip.  I'm not too familiar with the '41's but on the '47 I reconditioned, the SS strip went on before the rubber on the front.  But on the back the SS trim went on after the rubber was installed.  The guy who had experience with older cars wanted to come and have a look at the car before the install because he had never heard of the SS trim going on first.   When I ordered the rubber for the front it was the style that did not have a slot for the SS trim.  It simply expanded over the SS trim and about 2/3rd's of the SS trim showed around the outer edge of the rubber.  

Just something to be sure about before you order. 

You've probably discovered that Steele Rubber is a huge amount more expensive than AB. 

I did a little looking into it - they have a description that says "Windshield rubber with center bar, made in the original size and profile. Designed for cars that use the stainless trim around the exterior of the windshield", also another part number they say is for cars that don't have the stainless.

[Art Bailey]

10 hours ago, Jonathan Campbell said:

 

 

2) I am going to put seat belts in it; my wife made that a condition when I bought the car not only for me but for our grandchildren ever going in it. Does anyone have any experience/advice on suppliers (especially Canadian ones) and what kind of kit/hardware will work well?

 

Thanks in advance for any input you can offer.

A lot of folks here have recommended the ones that Juliano's sells. Here's a three point belt install in a VW. https://www.julianos.com/Articles.asp?ID=247

 

Here's another person's documentation of belt installation. The rear install runs counter to the advice I've seen on how to install retractable belts, as far as the geometry of where to locate the retractor and stuff. http://www.oldwillysforum.com/Plymouth/08-uai/uai.html

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 17, 2022 by ratbailey

[JonathanC]

38 minutes ago, Bryan said:

That's another thing I'll eventually have to get to.  Don't mind drilling floor holes for the lap belt types. But wondering how I'm going to get any shoulder type belt on the upper part between the doors without messing up my upholstery. 

I'm going with lap belts - I'm not sure how you would anchor a shoulder belt either and it seems like at that point you might have to butcher the interior trim around the pillars. This car has its original interior (pinstriped broadcloth!) and I don't want to risk mucking it up.

[later]

I've been checking out Moparmall for parts want list. They also have a 1 piece window gasket. Link follows.

 

https://www.moparmall.com/MoPar-PN-848406-848407-848763-892190-893401-946017-p/yh-78865.htm

[Booger]

as for windshield rubber Steele was twice the price as AB for Booger. The lap belts I installed I discovered a curved like rear seat footrest under front bench seat I anchored lap belts using extra large washers and not floor pan. If those rip out I figger Im toast anyway. Wife likes the extra security of the lap belt thinking she could fly out out door on a sharp corner.

Hmmmm

Edited March 19, 2022 by Booger
spel