Installing hatch glass- not working

[fusion]

Is the hatch glass much harder to install than the windshield?  I am finishing up a 1976 280z build and am installing the glass.  I have brand new gaskets from vintage rubber.  The front windshield was a bit off a pain but got it on the first try.  

The hatch glass is seeming much more difficult.  The hatch is off the car and I thought it would be easier to install off the car rather than on the car.  I am using the same rope method.  With the front windshield, I was able to slide the glass/gasket into the lower pinch weld and then use the rope to pull the gasket around the pinch weld and use hand pressure to walk it around the sides.

With the hatch glass, I can't get it started on any sides of the pinch weld.  The top and bottom are especially not very close.  I really don't have a good game plan.   I did have someone helping me.   We gave up after about an hour and no real progress.  When we got one side sort of close, the other side would be going the wrong direction.  I am using 3/16" (4.8mm) rope.

I have seen a couple videos online and they basically just set the glass/gasket into the opening, flip the hatch over and start pulling the rope.  Looks super easy.  Not sure why it's so hard for me.  The glass did come out of this hatch, so I know it was in there before.

The new gasket is very robust and I'm sure making it more difficult, but I believe vintage rubber is generally regarded as a quality manufacturer.  The hatch is awkward to handle and manipulate which isn't helping either.  

Any advice is welcome. 

 

Thanks

 

[Miles]

I never had success with Vintage Rubber  hatch or windshield seals on two 240z projects.  I ended up using stock OEM seals.  I recall getting the OEM seals from Courtesy Nissan and Motor Sport Auto (MSA).

 

The problems I had with  Vintage Rubber were deformed corners  making it impossible to install.

 

I used the rope trick and installed the stainless steel center trim in the windshield and hatch seal before installing the seals using the rope trick.

 

Also, Vintage Rubber door seals were too thick  making it impossible to close the doors. I went to Pep Boys and bought generic door seals that squeeze onto the door opening pinch welds.

 

The problems with Vintage Rubber seals has been known for over  20 years.  Lots of info here on HybridZ.

 

There is a company that makes the windshield and hatch seals without the center stainless trim.

[fusion]

Thanks for your comments, I did end up getting it to seat after a long battle.

[jhm]

On 9/3/2024 at 1:43 PM, Miles said:

 

There is a company that makes the windshield and hatch seals without the center stainless trim.

 

@Miles, thx -- was not aware that there was another vendor (besides Vintage Rubber) that produces the windshield and hatch glass gaskets without the metal trim groove.  (Vintage Rubber calls this style seal "Cal Style".)  I will have to look into that other vendor...any info that you can recall would be appreciated.

 

@fusion, glad you were able to get it in finally.  I'll probably be replacing my hatch glass seal sometime in the near future; so I'll keep your experience and Miles' recommendations in mind!  👍

[fusion]

@jhm, the key was doing it on the car.  With the hatch off the car, I don't think it would have been possible.  I did use the Cal style gaskets and I am happy with how they worked

[jhm]

Thanks for that!  I used a Cal-Style gasket from VR on my windshield years ago, and have been happy with it -- fits pretty well, not overly-difficult to install, and no leaks.  At the time, Vintage Rubber was the only vendor I could find with trimless Cal-Style gaskets in stock.  It'd be nice if there were other vendors out there to choose from.