I worked on the windows of the '86 last night, then today from 11am to 7pm. I was able to replace all of the trim, including the main channel trim that goes around the frame.
I replaced the dew wipes with the parts that I ordered from JC Whitney (thanks to Eric for the part numbers).
I also replaced the felt channel trim that goes into the vertical bar between the vent window and the main glass. It's for the main glass side.
This was all new stuff, too. It cost me about $60 total, but it's WELL worth it. The dew wipes are kind of a universal deal, so I had to remove the old ones from the trim and pop rivet the new ones into place. That was the worst part of the whole thing. Again, thanks to Eric for the walkthrough on this process.
All of the window channel trim was cracked and brittle. It literally shattered in my hands as I tried to remove it. I suppose that's 20 years of Florida sun.
I went to the junkyard this morning to look for a possible replacement. I spent an hour looking at Lincolns until I stumbled onto an unexpected find: A 2-door 1992 Mercury Topaz. When I examined the window channel trim, it seemed like a close enough match. I had no idea how perfect it was.
This stuff fit PERFECTLY into the window frame. Absolutely everything matched up.
EDIT[/u]: It has been reported that the weatherstripping will not fit doors with full glass; it falls about 3" short. That means that this modification is limited only to those who have vent windows.
I'll attach a photo of the comparison in size.
The best part is that it's the nice, soft, pliable rubber. Those windows are AIR TIGHT now. It's amazing.
When looking for the right Tempo/Topaz, make sure it's a 2-door with manual windows. You can simply crank down the windows and begin to work out the weatherstripping. Begin at the top and work to the back corner. There will some extra weatherstripping that goes down inside the door. This is so the glass doesn't work its way out of the channel. Install the weatherstripping just like it is in the Tempo/Topaz. If you have vent windows, you can simply cut off what you don't need and trim it to meet up with the vent channel felt.
Here are some shots of how the trim looked before.
Here are some after shots. Better than factory, I say.
Cool, I've been eyeing some of the JC Whitney stuff for the dew wipes myself.
Here are the last photos to upload.
One shot is of the new dew wipe attached to the trim.
The other picture illustrates how the dimensions of the Topaz channel weatherstripping is a VERY close match to our doors. I really hope this can help other people who may need to replace theirs. Again, the channel weatherstripping from the Topaz is the soft, pliable rubber. I don't hear a thing at 70mph.
You know, I've often wondered about the 2-door Topaz's and Tempo's. The doors themselves even look the same. I wouldn't be the least bit suprised if the window, molding, rubber, etc is all identical.
i wound if thay have some for non vent window my dew wipe looks like yours did. they should
The dew wipes that I ordered were much longer than what you see in the photos. I had to trim about 12" from them.
I'm not 100% positive, but I think they would be long enough for non-vent window doors.
I'm attaching one more photo.
It illustrates how easy it is to use this stuff. It simply gets snugged right into the channel. Once you get the back corner tucked in, you can snug the rest of it right up to the vent window - then trim it.
I didn't use any glue or sealant, and I have experienced no leaking in any way. I would suggest you don't use glue or sealant.
that looks great could you share them numbers you got from eric please all the window trim and what not are shot to hell in my 83 cougar
No problem.
JC Whitney - 800-529-4486
http://www.jcwhitney.com
1983-86 dew wipes (outside, mounts to aluminum piece, cut to fit; remove factory staples, drill new holes and pop rivet on):
KM819751 - $14.99 each - 2 required
Vent window felt (goes inside channel)
KM810358 - 26.99 - 1 required
As I said before, thanks to Eric for all of this information. It would have been a "needle in a haystack" kind of search, otherwise.
The description for the vent window felt may say it's for a Bronco or Ranger, but it's fit my car just the same.
hey thanks alot to you and eric :bowdown: :bowdown: this is going to help alot
Don't thank me....thank JC Whitney! ;)
If everyone could act out this thread very cheesy. It would make a great JC Whitney commercial.
Also, Eric actually winking at the end with a twinkle would be the clincher! :giggle:
haha.
does two requierd mean that you have to buy two? i only need the driver side. but i guess both would look good. and what is thius bout a rivet? did you take the glass out or just roll it all the way down?
Yes, one for each side. You may as well replace both since you have to do one.
You do not have to remove the glass. Roll it all the way down, pull the mirrors, then remove the screw behind the mirror and the quick-nut on the other side.
You have to "negotiate" with the lower trim to get it out (pull up on it), but it will eventually come out.
The original dew wipes are stapled into the aluminum window trim. So remove the staples and it comes right off. To reattach correctly, you will need to drill some holes through the dew wipes AND trim, and use pop rivets to attach them together. I've found a cheap but decent pop rivet gun at Wal*Mart before. Shouldn't really need more than 1/8" rivets. When/if you would ever need to change the dew wipes again simply drill out the rivets.
Has anyone found a replacement for the inside "dew wipers"? Mine are just as crispy as the outside ones...like a potato chip.
Has anyone found a replacement for the inside "dew wipers"? Mine are just as crispy as the outside ones...like a potato chip.
As of now, I haven't heard of anybody replacing that piece. I suppose you will have to remove it along with the outside dew wipe and compare them. Then, take a look at the photo in this thread which shows how the new dew wipe is riveted to the trim piece.
If you can use the same part for both inside and outside, then you're all set. You just have to order four of them. :)
Let us know how it turns out.
I think it can probably be done.
That's extremely wonderfull info you have given us. Thanks to both of you !!!!
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:
At the salvage yard today I pulled the weatherstripping off a 93 2-door Tempo and tried to install it on a 83 Bird. It fit in the back corner just fine, but as I worked it down toward the front, it ended up being about 3 inches to short.
I didnt compare a 92 to a 93, I will try that next time, but the 93 definately doesnt fit.
Well, that's a bummer. I was almost sure that the dimensions were equal. I was very careful about that before I put it in the article, but I guess I was wrong. I have updated the threads to include this new information.
I suppose this project is only good for the vent window people.
Anybody know if they make "dew wipe" replacements for 87 - 88's? One of mine was destroyed when the car was broken in to.
Thanks for the info, as the dew wipes and the trim around the windows in general are looking pretty ratty on my '83 :)
I Only have one bad weather stripping, and thats on the drivers side down the bottom of the window :S... only spot where its bad.. and I have vents :D
Well, I just replaced the dew wipe on the drivers side of my car about a week ago. And I must say it was worth the cost and the time to replace it. I'll replace the passenger side within the next week or so. And I owe it all to this thread!! U GUYS RAWK!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=009&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=190079134122&rd=1
so will the 1983-86 tempo dew wipes work on the non vented windows?
If you look at lincoln Mark 7 the inside dew/ belt molding fits, it is 3/8in. longer and the window channel run is the same for non vented windows.
Found this great write up
http://www.thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/documents/tech/RefurbishingLincolnMarkVIIDewWipes.pdf
thank mine are horrid
shouldent the mark 7be the same langth because they are the same door
then these should work (http://"http://166.82.96.3/homeframes.html") they are frome steele rubber products $103 for the innes and outers and $76 for thr outers and the just made a whole line up for ower cars http://166.82.96.3/homeframes.html (http://"http://166.82.96.3/homeframes.html") look up 1984-90 ford to see the dew wipe kits there made for the mark VII
Ok so I did some test fitting at the 'yard a month or so ago with a Tempo seal. I would like to use them on my NON vent car. So here is the idea.
I was thinking is there any way to bond together 2 pieces of the seal?
So I want to take 2 seals, cut them at the top of the window, then make them into one at the correct length.
Just need to figure out how I could bond the 2 pieces together.
super glue will probably be your best bet
I dont know how it would hold up over the years. Especially since my car sees all weather and is never garaged.
This may sound silly but here goes; use Instand Nail Glue (found everywhere nail polish is sold, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.) Unlike Super Glue, Instant Nail Glue is waterproof and unlike Gorilla Glue, it's clear. I actually reattached a piece of the body side molding on my '86 Cougar with Instant Nail Glue and the body shop had to pry it off 12 years later when the car was painted ;-) so I know it works from rubber, plastic and metal. Caution - this stuff dries even faster than Super Glue does so make sure you're ready for the pieces to STICK when you put them together. Also, don't overuse the glue, a little bit goes a long way.
I have a question for those that have done this with the parts from JC Whittney. I replaced the ones on my 83 years ago with new Ford units and they are cracking. I had to remove the staples and rivit the new ones onto the chrome trim pieces. I viewed the writeup on how to replace the ones on the Mark VII and it looked a bit more complicated than what I think it would be on the T-Birds. If you use the units from JCW is the process the same on the T-Birds as it is shown in the write up for the Mark Vii's?
Darren
mine went the same way very simple install, just remove the staples measure and cut the new and drill and pop rivit
Guess I will be buying the universal fix then. Thanks!
Darren
Does anyone have the part numbers for JCW products? Just tried looking in their website (using part numbers found earlier in this thread), but could not find them. Any help would be appreciated.
Making sure this gets linked.
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?37439-86-T-Bird-window-run-weatherstrip
For those that do not want to make them and just buy some go here:
http://www.classiquecars.com/ort8086tbrubcart.htm
Scroll down to 1983-1986 Thunderbird and they are under the sub heading of Window and Door. Not cheap but then again time is money.
Darren
Everything is way too overpriced. $25 for parking brake pedal rubber? Are they crazy? Rockauto have them for $3,37. The same with other rubber parts. Trunk weather strip - $75 vs. $21,79.
I am pretty sure that the site I listed is getting their seals from Steele.
http://www.steelerubber.com/
Not saying they are any cheaper but a person may be able to work them down on their prices. There are other options out there but this is about the only place that is making new that is specifically for our cars and to Ford's specs. The only thing I do not see on their site is the window channel runs but a phone call to them will see if they make them or know of someone that does.
Darren
I am posting to let everyone know I have updated my post on replacing my dew wipe and window run on the passenger side of my T-Bird. I eliminated notching the JC Whitney dew wipes as this is not needed as I first thought. Check out the thread attached in CBASS post above to see the update.