Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

After doing some digging through old forum posts, it looks like I'm encountering a problem that others have run into with their 55-56 non-convertibles.

I have a '55 400 and the new blue tinted windscreen (the old was cracked) is 1/8" shorter and the Steele gasket is 1/8" narrower, adding up to a 1/4" gap all the way around. My car is at the installer shop and after disassembling he says he can't work with it.

Anyone have a solution? Does anyone other than Steele make a reproduction gasket?

As far as I know Steele is the only option but you might ask Kanter just in case. I believe Fred mentioned at one time that they have some pieces made by someone other than Steele but don't believe the WS weatherstrip was one of them.

I remember Cli55er had some problems with his back glass along the same lines but don't recall if he did anything to compensate. He might see this and answer but if not, perhaps a PM to him would get some info on what he might have done..

On your windshield, does it fit at the sides but have the gap at the top? If so someone possibly holding the glass in position so it is raised to the top of the opening while someone adds in the extra supports Packard mentions in TB55-10 along the bottom might help. I suspect Steele's gasket possibly being made of softer rubber may be exhibiting some of the same issues as the early 55 gaskets.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/STB/55T-10.pdf

If the overall dimensions are short because of the glass being 1/8" smaller or the extra supports have already been tried then I would think about the only thing possible would be to add in some kind of extension piece on the pinch weld to take up part of the gap.

Rebus, have you approached the maker to see if they are willing to correct their apparent error and produce a correctly sized windshield? I think it's going to prove very difficult to get a satisfactory installation of an undersized piece.

Kanter says their gaskets are made by Steele. I got mine through Max Merritt but it's the same part number.

Where would one find those retainers? I imagine they are unavailable now.

If your car never had them installed and no one on the forum has any to offer possibly Kanter would have them by part number. If not, maybe you could get in touch with Mike Dulinski. He might not know what they look like but sending him a copy or referring him to the bulletin that he could view or download he could probably identify and remove a set from one of his many parts cars. If you still can't find them a reasonable substitute could probably be made from a scrap of 16ga sheet metal.

Max Merritt had some repo clips in stock that they apparently had made some time ago. They are on their way here.