Series 23 Curved Rear Window Glass

Posted by Joe Wareham On 2018/7/14 10:31:34

Has anyone installed the curved rear window glass in a Series 23 using the Steele Rubber replacement gasket? This is becoming very frustrating! I've replaced several windshields and rear windows in vintage cars and never had as much trouble except with this car. Every other car my friends and I have installed glass in have required very little effort. In those cases, the flap in the gasket slips directly over the pinch weld in the body then the stainless trim, if any goes on last. In this series Packard, the stainless trim is installed over the pinch weld then the gasket flap has to be pulled over the stainless trim. The stainless trim is thicker and smoother then the pinch weld. Tried it last week with 2 people, one inside holding the glass and the other outside pulling the lubricated nylon string to get the flap over the trim. It kept slipping out so we tried it today with 3 people, same problem, slips off the stainless trim before being fully installed. Comparing the new and old gaskets they are very similar but I'm wondering if Steele adapted a GM style gasket for use on the Packard and if there is enough difference between the gasket going directly over a pinch weld (i.e. GM) versus trying to get the gasket over the thicker stainless trim. If it's the right gasket, it shouldn't be this difficult. I'll probably give it one more try before trying to find a vintage glass guy that will come to my shop. Any suggestions?