Flush mount rear screen - leak free?

[Kroggers]

My car is a dual purpose street/track car. I am trying to remove as much weight as possible, whilst still maintaining some small comforts. One of the next tasks on my list is Lexan screens, and I am considering going the flush mounted rear screen route - ala, Jack Olsen.



I have done some searching and reading, but not come up with any definitive answers - is there any way to do the flush mount rear screen installation which is water tight and will not leak?

[Geronimo '74]

I believe Jack said that his is not completely waterproof.

[Kroggers]

Yes, I know... But I am still trying to see if there is a way to do a flush mount Lexan rear screen and have it waterproof.

[Geronimo '74]

silicone?

[Kroggers]

That might work. I was hoping that someone with experience would contribute with some ideas and feedback.

[Geronimo '74]

Experience? Ideas??

Oops, sorry, I'll keep quiet now...

[Kroggers]

Ideas can come from anyone, experience from those that have done it before...
So your ideas are very much appreciated and welcomed

One thought on the silicone idea is that I am worried it will harden and crack - maybe some type of putty that remains soft would be better, is that not what the normal screen bonding stuff is like?

[Geronimo '74]

I have not done this before but I would think that there are a lot of types of silicone that stays souple/soft.

Looking at the pic of Jacks car I would say that filling the gap with a black silicone would do the trick.
I have no idea if that would be considered an acceptable solution. I guess people have done stranger things.

[Turboo934]

Urathane window sealant , it stays flexible ,can be messy. It works though, I used it on my 73, no leaks.

[Kroggers]

Cool, thank you Turboo934. Do you have a flush mount screen then?

[lin7310948]

i used urethane sealant to seal the flush back window screen. it is a street driven 71 911 coupe and i seldom drive in the rain. it does not leak when i wash it.

[Kroggers]

Do you have any pictures lin, and where did you get the fluch mount kit from - I can only find them at GT Racing...

[lin7310948]

i do not have any closeups. i think that i used a gt racing flush mount adaptor...i had bought several years earlier and it was just hanging in my spare parts stuff. i used 1/4 inch gray tinted lexan material and both the adaptor and the screen are bolted in place with stainless steel counter sunk socket head machine screws. and, then sealed with urethane sealant. the adaptor seemed to be designed for thinner lexan...maybe 1/8 inch such as what might be used in a track car.

[Kroggers]

Thank you for the info...

[Geronimo '74]

Lin,

Do you get sufficient cooling with that lexan/closed grill??
Looks nice though!
(sorry, not meaning to hijack)

[lin7310948]

the engine is not porsche..rather an all aluminum 434 sbc. i have had holes laser cut in the lexan engine cover since this picture was taken. i have also removed the carburator and added mass flo efi!

[Patrice911]

On mine I put silicone between the Lexan and the flush frame before bolting it. When the frame was install I then put Silicone to fill the gap between the body and the flush frame. I modify the flush frame to have a small gap. The picture below is the best one I got showing the rear window.

[Kroggers]

That is nice Patrice...
Where did you get the frame from - that is the look I am after

[tctnd]

Polysulfide marine sealants are tenacious and flexible. We used to refer to one brand (Lifecaulk) as "deathcaulk" because we knew we'd all be dead before we got it off our hands.
regards,
Phil

[James Brown]

God yes, Sitcaflex will never come off! good stuff and it comes in black. Measure twice, glue once.