Undersized 911 Windshield?

[gra]

I am trying to get an older Pilkington windshield reinstalled in a 1984 911. I have used to experienced installers each of whom destroyed an OEM seal and were unable to install the windshield. One indicates the windshield appears to be undersized (he has done other 911's of this vintage). Does anyone have the height of an original 930 windshield at the center? Also does anyone have width dimension of an original at say 6 inches form the bottom?

Any other input appreciated - I am at wits end. Observed last install and it was consistent with 101 projects book. Installer definitely experienced.

Thanks George

[cashman]

Many cars have the 964 windshield which uses the rubber gasket with the built in molding. This windshield is bigger.

If they are putting in a 911 windshield with the rubber gasket from a 964 it will be too small. The 911 windshield requires the gasket with the seperate metal moldings that need inserted.

Just a thought.

[gra]

Thanks. Used OEM seal and separate molding from host. George

[kyngfish]

I just replaced my windshield. I was getting water in the cabin and you could tell the windshield plus gasket seemed a bit undersized. I did a lot of reading, and I paid extra to get a brand new Sekurit windshield from Saint-Goban and the OEM gasket from our host. Apparently Sekurit was the original part. Makes sense, you should see the Sekurit brand also on your other Windows. I have an 86 coupe. The windshield fit perfectly and the gasket was perfect. No leaks.

600 bucks all-in with labor and parts. Not cheap, but well worth it. Not sure why you would go for an older windshield.

Where are you located?

[gra]

The older windshield was in the car when I bought it. The seal was sagging at the top and pulled away in the corners. The old seal had been glued so it could not be adjusted.

Installers indicated the area needed to be cleaned and the windshield reinstalled with an OEM seal. Since that has not worked I am trying to determine whether or not the windshield is undersized before buying a new seal and a new windshield.

I am in University Park Florida near Sarasota.

Did you do the installation yourself or have someone else do it? If someone else may I ask who did it for you?

Thanks George

[gra]

Kyngfish, may I also ask where you purchased your windshield? Thanks

[faverymi]

I've been unlucky with anything other than porsche rubber seals.

I also like to put new aluminum moldings.

Good luck

[Jesse16]

If the last installer put the thing in and the seal is still "short" getting to the corners, my best advice is try your best to fix it yourself. Look for the many windshield gasket fix procedures because thats really all that you or an installer can do. Involves pushing/tapping/hammering gently on the seal with usually a thin piece of wood or similar to stretch the gasket out to anyplace its short. You can also push on the windshield and it will move some to improve the fit. I've put my windshield in once and watched my local glass guy do it once when I had the car painted. Its not complicated and simply involves tapping and pushing to get it the best fit.
When I replaced, the local glass place in my town looked at his computer and found the Sekurit glass easy and got it delivered next day. I think you'll be unsuccessful attempting to compare windshield "measurements" if you can even figure out how to get them, you'll need two pieces of glass side by side. If you order a new one, you or your glass guy could do that at the time of install I guess. Very unlikely your existing glass is small or incorrectly sized.

[ischmitz]

Lots of good thoughts here: To the OP: How much are we talking when you say "too small". A fraction of an inch or inches? Maybe post a picture.

Ingo

[group911@aol.co]

It's more than likely the seal. Had a local installer that had been struggling for days to install using an "OEM" seal. Borrowed one of my known Porsche seals and had it in in minutes.

[creaturecat]

same here. supposed oem seal, crap fit, sheesh the seam wasn't even in the correct position.
real Porsche seal. perfect fitment.

[kyngfish]

Even an 1/16 or 1/8th inch difference on either side creates big problems for the OEM seal. Once again, I'd go with the Sekurit glass.

I don't know where they purchased the glass. I will tell you that Safelite didn't have it, but I went to a glass place (they not only did cars but showers and any type of glass) in Fort Lauderdale and they had the Sekurit windshield in under 1 day. They knew what they were doing and it showed.

I had the same problem you did. The seal didn't look like it QUITE hit the edges of the windshield frame properly. I had some kind of off-brand in there. If you read through a bunch of old posts on here you can see the topic debated endlessly, but most people agree the aftermarket windshields are slightly off, in the same way as the aftermarket seals don't quite work. I can tell too, the new windshield looks like it has a slightly shallower curve and there's more space in the corners on the inside of the windshield than before.

I did not install it myself. These guys did it in under 2 hours. It was well worth the money to make sure that seal is right, those corners are terrible places for rust.

What I did was search for all the auto glass places in Yelp and started asking around to see what windshield they had for my car, asking for Sekurit. Try Porsche specialist places, but also try auto glass places, preferably not the type of places that have franchises and chains.

The guy that did mine said that Safelite has technicians changing auto glass after 6 months, and he told me his guys don't even carry glass for a car like mine from the table to the workbench at 6 months.

Alternatively you can come to Ft Lauderdale .

[gra]

Thanks for the input. Just got a lead to an installer through the local Porsche dealer. I feel stupid for not thinking of this sooner. This guy has done several in our area and by chance is doing a 1984 coupe on Wednesday of next week. He is installing a new pilkington and is going to measure it for me.

Also just talked to very helpful seller on Ebay who measured the center line height on a new Sekurit windshield and it is just over 1/8 inch taller than mine at the center. I will consider this difference and what ever is learned from the other measurement with the installer to determine whether a new windshield is necessary or not.

This installer insists on using a seal purchased through the Porsche dealer. Apparently the local dealer ordered 2 when he ordered the one for the installers job on Wednesday so I snagged the other one. I compared it to the ones I had been using and visually they are the same, however, the one from the dealer feels softer and more flexible.

Not sure where this will end up but feel like I am closer to a solution.

Thanks again for the input.

George

[gra]

Kyngfish - thanks for the input I posted a response before seeing your comments which are very helpful. George

[kyngfish]

The windshield should also be shorter from left to right. If they're already doing the install, get the windshield. It's worth the investment!

[vinceparts]

Been there done that. While repairing some windshield rust on my old 964 I decided to replace the perished windshield seal. Bought a replacement from pelican to only break the shield when trying to re install. Seal wAs too thick. Got two different replacement screen and both were too small. Then finally bought genuine Porsche seal and screen with no problems.

[47silver]

does an 84 have the trim? if so then you need to use a thin piece of wood between the rubber and the trim and tap it outward in the corners.
i just did this on a 72 and the gap was 1/2" in all of the corners. I read a few posts on here and tried the method they recommended and after many, many, many, gentle taps the rubber and trim spread to the corners and it makes a perfect seal. i believe that is why the filler piece in the middle is a couple inches long.

[47silver]

Gap between Rubber Windshield Seal & Body

read post#73

[em78911]

Can you use a 964 seal on a 78 911?? or are there seals not compatible with a sekurat glass and 78 tub?

[gra]

The windshield is still out of the car. I now have 3 torn seals. Yesterday I purchased a fourth seal and a windshield through the local Porsche dealer. I also obtained 2 more referrals for installers.

I called Pilkington Classics and a very helpful rep measured their windshield confirming my current windshield is the same size as the new ones. It appears the Pilkington works for most.

I also tired the last install myself. I followed the guidance made the tools to push the aluminum and got everthing but 3 corners. I was not able to shift the aluminum enough to cover all gaps and it appeared the windshield was just about to come out of the seal. When I got the gap close I worked to pick the seal over in the corners and ultimately tore it. Based on discussions with installers and the glass measurements for the sekurit in my earlier post, I am convinced I need the bigger windshield. If I had followed Kyngfish's advice earlier I would have saved a lot of money on seals and the aggravation. I am following it now.

I am scheduled for installation on Wednesday and will let you know what happens.

George