Good afternoon. I'm currently working on the wing windows of my 50 Chevy. I got the frame that mounts to the door fitting right. My question is how do you do the window track that is attached to it? Do you trim it down? I drilled out the rivets that held the upper and lower mounts of the track and my plan was just to remount them in their new home. The problem I'm running into now is the lower door mount is to far away from the track (like the track needs to be curved to meet it) Am I going about this all wrong? I hope my rambling makes sense to someone. Thank you in advance
A couple of pictures would help. I did mine on a 50 Ford but don't know how relevant that might be to where you are now at.
How much did you chop the top? Did you cut the windshield or just lay it back? How did you modify the door to fit the top? Knowing what you are working with and where it needs to go are important for good suggestions. Some eliminate the vent altogether and move the front channel forward but there is a bit of curve to eliminate to make that work. Moving the hinge down and shortening the bottom is an option. Knowing what you are working with is the key to the best suggestions.
On my 49 Buick with a 2.5" chop, I ended up gluing the wing glass into the body with urethane. You can spend more time with chopping the wing windows with the rubber and frames etc, than the rest of the entire chop. I know, I took the easy way out, but I figured at least I would get it done in my lifetime.
I chopped it 4" . Windshield is chopped. Back window was laid forward. Door frame is cut and welded back together to make it for. After 4 hours in the garage late last night I think I have it figured out. The window track that's attached to the vent frame has a slight curve to it ( or at least mine do). I just cut it down and welded it back together. Seems to be working. Thank you for your reply.
I think I have it figured out after spending several hours late last night working on it. I'd like to see how you did yours if possible. Thank you for your reply
I think I got it figured out. Spent some time late last night figuring out it. Thank you for your reply.
A little late to the party here but in reading what you've done and my past experiences it sounds to me like you may end up having some issues. I'll admit I haven't chopped a 50 Chevy but several different riggs over the years. First off, you said quote; " The window track that's attached to the vent frame has a slight curve to it (or at least mine do). I have learned that with Flat Glass you can't have any curve in the guide channels. They must be strait as a razor blade. With a 4" chop you may have lost the spot the top hinge mount is located in. The top and bottom hinge must be in alignment for things to work right. If you have to relocate it you must also move the bottom one back into vertical alignment. When it comes to the Glass frame part, I always make a Steel buck to form the frame around. Hope this helps a little. BJR is right, it's not so much the easy way but it's the right way and you'll never regret having working vent windows.
And after you get the wing window frame to fit the new opening, glass cut and pivots remounted, you have the rubber seal around the frame to make fit to the new pivot position and not leak. That's if someone re pops new wing window seals for your car. But if you can pull all that off and it looks good and works as it should, you should be very proud of yourself, as it's not easy to do. Un fortunately just a few of us will be impressed by your skill. Most people will not even get what goes into what you have done.
I agree and you have to be driven or dedicated or sick or anal. If you ever meet and talk with anyone that kinda knows me or has hired me, all of those words may come up during a short conversation. The way I look at it there's only one Right. If you're going to take on a job and get paid for it, do it right. If it's a personal job, then do it even more Right. Those that know, know what you did.
Thank you so for the advice. One more question, have anyone of you ever made the window track? The metal U shaped piece that the rubber and felt go into. If so did you just take some flat sheet (16 gauge I'm guessing) and bend it to shape or used square stock and cut it into a U? Thanks again
For years I had access to a Sheetmetal shop with a C-n-C brake and sheer. Several times we made parts like the channel that needed to be exact on inside dementions. The felt channel needs to be captured but not squeezed therefor the I.D. needs to be pretty exact. Doubt you'll get that out of square tubing.
The brake had a Head with 2 sides and many different sets of feet that would actually let you fold verry narrow centers with longer walls. So a U-Channel would be a 2 step part. The computer part would take in the material gauge and I.D. would be nuts on within .002 in a single 8 foot strip. Kool machine!
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