1965 FHC Windscreen fitting (SWB)

[keithbrown]

Hi All,
I know its a fairly well discussed topic, but was after a few learned opinions.
I'm in the process of re-assembling my car and decided to have a go putting the windscreen in on my own. I've had two attempts, both resulted in the windscreen going in, but both times the whole thing ended up very tight. Hopefully the picture will attach and you can see my problem, ie there is very little room for the sealing strip, especially in the corners, but along the long sides too.
The windscreen is the cars original screen, no welding was done to the body so no change to the screen aperture either apart from the thickness of a little paint. So I'm pointing the finger of blame at the windscreen rubber.
Has anyone else had this problem?
I can't imagine there are many different people manufacturing e-type windscreen seals? Although lots of companies sell them.
Thank you for any thoughts.

[Simonpfhc]

I’ve done a few now and that’s pretty normal. As long as you use the correct diamond shaped wire tool, the seal strip goes in ok - it needs to be tight to effectively expand the main seal against the glass.

The general ease if fitment is very dependant on how soft or hard the new seal is, some are better than others. I’ve always bought my seals from COH Baines and even then, the seal hardness seems to vary slightly - I think even then ambient temperature seems to affect it.

[politeperson]

I have done it a few times, it always seems impossible to start with.

I try and keep things warm, use vaseline or Fairy Liquid and the correct tool wire seating tool.

I often have to go back over the corners with a blunt screwdriver to re-seat the filler strip afterwards.

[keithbrown]

Thank you Simon, Anybody else think the rubber being this tight is normal?
I have read that new windscreens vary in size and thickness, and was a bit worried the new rubbers might take that into account, hence fitting an older screen that bit more difficult?

[tim wood]

I’ve done it a couple of times and have nothing much to add other than to take time to protect the paintwork masking tape , cloth covers etc.

I have heard of people hanging the surround seal using weights to stretch it. Also heard of cuts being made on the inner corners of the seal to make sure it beds right into the corner . ( probably wouldn’t do it myself)

Mine went in after about 3 hours of sweat. Having a second pair of hands i found needed. My wife helped and I had to suppress my language!

Have you got the little blue suction caps to hold it in place?

[keithbrown]

Hi Tim, your picture or link didn't come out?
I'm assuming its a reference to the blue caps you mentioned?
Keith

[tim wood]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/355157028180 ... HhrWI_jApL


Also on Amazon

[TGN]

Keith how long have you had this screen rubber?
Although newly purchased doesn’t mean it’s not been sitting on a shelf for months.
Age doesn’t help their malleability

[keithbrown]

Hi All,
In reply to the rubbers age, it would have to be at least 4 years old.
That said, i'm not questioning how pliable it is.
The image I uploaded should be sufficient hi resolution to zoom in. You can see how tight the rubber is, as the flap sitting on the glass is not sitting flat on the glass, it is sitting at an angle of around 30 degrees from it. If I had bought a new screen I would be sending it back to try and get a smaller one...
I have ordered a suitable tool to fit the locking strip, and will have a go at fitting it, as suggested by the first few replies, who said the fit is normal.