True Connections

When driving your Chevelle or El Camino, what’s the most annoying sounds? I bet you listed the wind whistle coming from rotten weather-stripping. Replacing most of the rubber is pretty straight forward. The piece that isn’t, is the vent window seals. We constantly get calls on how to install these seals but it really isn’t too difficult, it just takes a little patience. To replace the seals you need to remove the entire vent window assembly from the car. Begin by removing your door panel, water shield, and the door window lower stop. The door glass then needs to be lowered to it’s bottom most point. On the lower rear glass run part of the vent window frame there is a stud and nut attached to the inner door support that needs to be removed. On 64-67 cars there is also a long screw near where the vent frame and the door meet that needs to be removed. If you have a 68-72 you will also need to remove the crank handle assembly that opens and closes the vent glass. On post cars there will be a series of Phillips head screws securing the vent assembly to the post. On all others there is a Phillips head screw securing the leading edge of the assembly to the door, then below that on the door itself, you will find a bolt and another stud and nut that needs to be removed. Now you can tilt the vent assembly back until it clears the front of the door, then turn the assembly 90 degrees to remove it from the door.

To disassemble the vent frame on 64-67 cars you must first begin by removing the tension spring and hardware on the bottom of the frame. Be sure to take note of the placement of the washers as they determine how the window opens. Next, remove the screw on the top point of the assembly that holds the frame together. The vent window glass on 64-67 hardtops and convertibles pivot on a stud at the top of the glass that slides into the top frame simply spread the frame open, pull the glass down then lift up to remove it. 64-72 El Caminos, Sedans, and Wagons all used a rivet for the upper pivot point that will need to be drilled out to remove the glass. That rivet is actually a special piece since it has a shoulder that allows the glass to pivot, luckily it is available reproduction. Now you can remove the existing weather strip. Start by peeling the glass run channel off the back of the frame. Then you can remove the rear vent glass seal by prying up the tabs inside the channel on the backside. The forward L shape seal can be removed by simply pulling it out of the frame. You should have 3 small metal tabs that clamp to the seal, be sure to save these as they help hold the seal in, and are not available reproduction.

To install your new seal it is best to use a little soap as a lubricant to make it easier to slide the front seal into place. You might need to use a small screw driver to help push the seal into some areas of the frame. Next install the rear seal by inserting the tabs on the seal into the frame and folding them down. Install any screws you took out of the assembly, and on frames with the rivet, just use a hammer and a punch to spread the rivet open. Now that your seal is in you can reinstall the vent window assembly, glass, and tracks following the reverse of the procedure outlined above. Happy cruising!