Rear Vent Window Weatherstripping Replacement

[Michael Buonaccorso]

Has anyone here replaced the weatherstripping on the rear vent windows of a Fleetwood 60 Special? Unlike the front vent windows, the pivot shaft of the window is inserted into the weatherstipping itself. On the original rubber, there was a hole in the molded steel of the weatherstripping that it fit into. On the reproduction (Steele), there is just a rubber pocket with no metal backing, so a hole (with integrity) can't be drilled. As a result, I cant properly keep the window from falling out. I need to fabricate something....but not sure what quite yet. I'm hoping someone who has going through this can share some pointers. 

This is a little hard to explain, but if you've replaced this weatherstripping before, you should know what I'm talking about. 

[Michael Buonaccorso]

See photos

[Jason Edge]

Michael.  One would assume since the metal guide piece didn't come with the rubber you were to reuse the old metal I am seeing in the picture. I have some 60S rears somewhere and can take a look at one when it gets above 10 degrees, but perhaps you could transfer the old metal piece if not to far gone? Not sure if that is even possible.

[Michael Buonaccorso]

The issue is the metal is molded into the weatherstripping itself. On the new piece there is also a metal strip molded in, but the area where I could potentially drill a hole is notched out and is only rubber. 

[Jason Edge]

Michael, as a CLC member I would reach out to other members with a 63/64 Fleetwood and see if they have run into this rear vent window rubber seal issue. Marty Smith is one member that I know has restored a lot of his Fleetwood 60 Special. Looking at our 2023 CLC Directory there are 36 members with 1963 60 Specials and 47 with 1964 60 Specials.  You can pick out their emails and phone number sin the directory or you can also do online searches for members by model year and body style on the CLC Website under Member Resources once signed in. No sense in reinventing this wheel and I am sure out of over 80 60 Special Owners someone has been through this. Perhaps one of our 60 Special Owners that monitor this site has been through this and chime in.  Even thought I can go probably look at a used rear vent window without having that new piece in my hand I am just wildly guessing at what you are trying to do. Also, post to the CLC forums as I expect this issue spans forward and rearward beyond the 63/64 Cadillac model years.

[Michael Buonaccorso]

Thanks Jason, good suggestions. Steele lists the replacement part for Fleetwoods from 61-64, so that broadens the search even more.

[Tony and Ginny 429]

If the weatherstrip is not correct I would think another source might be the answer for the correct part 

You might try - Restorers Choice - to see if they might have what you need 

Just a best chance guess  on my part —-but they made the best rear main crank seal replacement rubber part for our Cadillacs —-so there rubber products are very well designed for our purpose   - if they might have what you need 

Enjoy 

[Tony and Ginny 429]

If all else fails you might try to use the old part of the weather strip with the metal insert  ( if salvageable ) and attach the new weatherstrip rubber to it using a CA glue ( crazy glue ) that is excellent for bonding rubber to rubber for the long haul 

Jason —may be able —to supply a good metal in rubber section —- when it gets above 10 degrees 

Your call of coarse 
Enjoy