Quarter-window Fix

Finally figured out the final problem that was preventing my quarter-window from fully closing. The lower bead on the aftermarket inner belt molding weatherstrip is thicker than the original by about .03” and It was enough to catch the lower glass frame and preventing it from closing the last .25”.

The picture shows how much had to be trimmed to clear the interference. Dremel cutting wheels sure are handy at times.

I received the two clips and striker bolts for the door latches that are on order. I also received an invoice surprise that I hope can be negotiated! The parts are small enough to have come in a single padded envelope, but they arrived in three individual cardboard boxes approximately 6”x6”x8”, and strapped with nylon. Each box weighed 4-5 ounces, and the “freight” charge was $25.66 for each box! The individual price for four clips was .64 cents, and the pair of striker bolts was less than $6.00.

The estimated date for the latches is still a couple of weeks away, so it will be interesting to see if they adjust the shipping costs to parcel post prices when they invoice the entire order. There is no way I’m paying over $100.00 “freight” on less than two pounds of parts shipped through the post office.

Merry Christmas

Window Problem Update

 

Since I'm working on window operation problems inside the quarter panel, I don't have any pictures, but I did get the modified outer guide bracket reworked and installed and it looks like it will be a better fit than before, as it gives about 1/8" more clearance to make adjustments. 

I had to make a glue repair to a piece of polycarbonate and it will have to dry overnight before I can install the last screw, so it was a short work day. 

With the Christmas rush coming, I doubt I will get much done until after the 25th.

Quarter Windows Day Two

 I didn't have enough time to pull the quarter window today, but I did make a cardboard template of a front glass so I could visually see how much more rotation it will take to seal the quarter window to the door glass. 

As you can see the glass edges on the passenger side are in perfect alignment with about an eighth of an inch  gap that is even from top to bottom.

The driver's side is obviously misaligned by over 5/8th inch at the top, but the rear window hits something that stops it at that point. I can't see much, but I think I could feel where it bumped against one of the guide brackets. At least I now have an idea where the problem lies. It might require modifying the angle of the existing bracket, or making a new one.

Driver's side

Passenger's side

Back at it

 Feeing much more energetic today and I actually found a few hours to work on the car. You guessed it...I immediately encountered another glitch.

I have yet to receive the simpler-configuration door latches, so was concentrating on getting the quarter windows installed and adjusted close to the final settings so I will be ready to install the door windows when the latches arrive and their function is proved out.

The passenger side was simple and it took only a few minutes to adjust them within 1/8" of what should be the final front window contact points. 

Naturally, everything went to hell with the driver's side. For some reason, the window needs to rotate around the pivot pin approximately another 5/8", and move forward 1/4", but everything hits a dead stop before it rotates  that much, and for the life of me, I can't find a way to accomplish that much adjustment for either problem! 

There must be an adjustment I have yet to discover, or maybe it's a case of post-Covid-19 brain fade! Sure wish the service manual contained a better description of the adjustment process. I'll pull the window again tomorrow and see if I can find something bent in the track or pivot point that might cause it to bind.

At least the beautiful weather is supposed to last for one more day. It's 77F and clear with light westerly winds today! Weekend will be cool, wet and windy with a slight chance of snow near the Red River. Bah, humbug!

The latch company sent the four clips that attach the cables to the latch, so at least they haven't forgotten about my order yet! Now if the latches will arrive soon after new years day, as promised....

“You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension: a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind, a dimension without time…!”

 If my experience is anywhere near typical, a couple of weeks in the embrace of Covid-19 closely compares to a Rod Serling excursion into the Twilight Zone!

In most ways, the symptoms were mostly like the typical seasonal flu, but in addition to the list of normal flu symptoms, I had the displeasure of experiencing crazy visual effects that several times took control of my concentration. They probably appeared and disappeared as my mostly mild fever changed, but that's only a guess.

Though I felt lousy, I continued to do housework and pamper my wife while she suffered through several days with a nasty headache.

We never experienced a shortness of breath, or other extreme respiratory problems, so I guess we were lucky in that way, but we had prepared for those issues weeks earlier, and I think it helped.

It was indeed one of those experiences you will never forget, nor will you wish a return visit!

Now, if my strength returns a little bit more, I have a ton of things to do on the car!