So I order a new windshield gasket for my 59 via steel. Thought I should have no problem but of course the gasket is molded wrong. Why can't anything fit right anymore. Or when you call have someone answer the phone that has a clue. Had to cut it to make it work.
Well I agree with you during my time when I restored my 1968 Mustang, I purchased new reproduction door hinges, thinking that they will be perfect and better than a used one, after I installed them, just a year later the door started to swing down, I said to myself, I guess its just a simple alignment issue, But when got to the shop to have my hinges aligned, the guy told me that due to the composition of the hinges, it is not like the original ones and the hinges got bend so bad that even if they fix it, it will happen again said the guy. So I went back to eBay to find original used hinges, I found it have it shipped to Turkey, then took it to the shop, I think they changes the pins due to a wiggle, and after that I think it has been 15 years and nothing happened since than. That day I realized that the reproduction parts are definitely not like the original ones, because the original ones are made to last.
My windshield gasket is from Carpenter and it went in just fine. But I have heard crabbing about other Carpenter gaskets, too thick, etc. My gl*** guy had to fight with the vent window gaskets. I have bought other Steele products and they were okay.
The above discussion is the precise reason that I always tried to use NOS parts on my restorations rather than reproduction parts. If I could not find NOS I would prefer a good used original part over a reproduction part.
Definately learned the hard way, 1968 Mustang was my first cl***ic car, and during the restoration I came across many brand new reproduced parts, but than I find out the hard way that the best parts even it is 60-70 years old are always much better than the reproduced ones.
I agree on most parts but NOS 70 year old rubber is never a good idea. If the rubber compound is made correctly today it has many anti aging ingredients that greatly improve the life of the rubber. In the 70's I used to install new rubber bushings in suspension parts on two to three year old Fords because the smog and ozone in So Cal would have already destroyed the rubber. From the late 80's on the quality of the rubber is much more durable that is if they are using the good stuff to make the part! Mark
When I called steel they said it was not theirs. So my guess it's Carpenter. At this time basically everything is made by one company. It's rare to find another company that makes it. Even then most likely made by the same place for them. Yes the vent window gaskets are a pain to get in. I have not opened them since I installed them hoping to form the rubber.
To do the rubber First def check to see that you got the right one. It's either the tall windshield sedan,wagon ranchero Or the short. Hardtop 2/4dr or club coupe easy tell is if you side trim goes into the rubber or not. Then check for the space the gasket. to add the rubber to the gl*** to prep for install Let it get warm in the sun Lay out a blanket Have trim ready Rough check the rubber is centered and the corners are in the right spots Use blue tape to hold the rubber in place onto the gl*** without the trim Then goes through adding the trim and adding more tape I have done this without help it a real PITA. I have also done this with and without sealant. If you do sealant you want to cover at least 2" of all surfaces with fat 2" take on the car body and cover the gl*** inside and outside. This part helps for cleaning the mess later. I see you said you got your rubber in. Make sure the cut part is ****ed together super well. You might as well add some sealant at the joint.
I have bought rubber products from Ford parts sites, almost everything ships right from Carpenter in their packaging. My gl*** guy said that the vent rubber was a bit of a challenge. I'm glad I did not try this at home.
I have bought from them as well, mostly things like floor plugs, nothing gl*** related. Everything was great and went in without a fight.
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