1969 124 Spider Windscreen Replacement

[SeldomSeen]

I just scheduled an appointment to have this done at the local Safelite Auto Glass shop. They said they have a 124 Spider 2000 window. I'm assuming that it will fit my '69. Will the old gaskets be reusable or do I have to get new ones? They told me that they would be using the old one if possible. This will be determined when I bring it in.

[azruss]

I have 3 frames and 3 seals, none of them interchange. They vary 3/4" in size. If your OEM seal is in ok shape, stick with it.

[Exit98]

I had a glass place replace my old windshield with a better used one.

My old gasket was fine and that's what they used.

Damn, have you seen the price they want for a new gasket? Mr. Fiat I think. Yikes!

[dmwhiteoak]

With both spiders in my possession the seals have a small gap between the glass and Crome. Both in the same place. With the driver I inserted clear silicone into the gap to stop water from seeping through it.Passenger side, from the top corner down for about 4". Good luck!

[SeldomSeen]

Thanks. That's a relief.

[divace73]

I'm led to believe the windshields were different over some models?

[fiat218]

I got a 69 and 74 windshield and frame

[vandor]

>Damn, have you seen the price they want for a new gasket? Mr. Fiat I think. Yikes!

$60 less elsewhere...

I recently replaced the WS seal in a '70 Spider. At first it looked like the new seal would not fit, but with a bit of work it did.

When installing it we put some sealant on the body, then set the WS and rubber into it. We had to be sure that the seal is sitting right and had to work it with a screwdriver to get the rubber over the body's lip. The dash was out, it could not have been done with the dash in place. If it's there than I'd likely put the rubber down by itself, make sure it sits in the right place, then set the glass on it and work the seal up and around the glass. Then slide the frame over that.

FWIW most windshield places do glue-in windshields 99.9% of the time, so I'd ask if they have experience with this sort of thing.

[Fi8spider]

With both spiders in my possession the seals have a small gap between the glass and Crome. Both in the same place. With the driver I inserted clear silicone into the gap to stop water from seeping through it.Passenger side, from the top corner down for about 4". Good luck!

Did this end up working whiteoak? Did it stop the leak? Recently I was caught in a big storm out on the open road, near hailed and no where to stop and take cover . I've had the spider out in rain before and have never had any problems with water ingress. This time it was coming in from the sun visor points and review mirror like crazy, my brother who was in the car at the time helped to try and trace the problem when we got home and the gap between the frame and a shrunken gasket is the only place we could spot. I really don't want to change the gasket as it is very rare that I take the spider out in bad weather but I didn't want that happening again just in case I get caught out again, this is why I'm keen to hear if the silicone worked..

BTW good luck with the windscreen change Seldomseen, keep us posted.

[baltobernie]

The windshield glass is all the same curvature and overall size, but different contemporary manufacturers produce different thicknesses. That's the first thing to verify when you've got the old glass out.

+1 with Vandor re: expertise with gasketed windshields.

[SeldomSeen]

>Damn, have you seen the price they want for a new gasket? Mr. Fiat I think. Yikes!

$60 less elsewhere...

I recently replaced the WS seal in a '70 Spider. At first it looked like the new seal would not fit, but with a bit of work it did.

When installing it we put some sealant on the body, then set the WS and rubber into it. We had to be sure that the seal is sitting right and had to work it with a screwdriver to get the rubber over the body's lip. The dash was out, it could not have been done with the dash in place. If it's there than I'd likely put the rubber down by itself, make sure it sits in the right place, then set the glass on it and work the seal up and around the glass. Then slide the frame over that.

FWIW most windshield places do glue-in windshields 99.9% of the time, so I'd ask if they have experience with this sort of thing.

You can't replace the windscreen unless you remove the dash? I sure don't want the folks at Safelite or any other generic glass shop doing that! Is this a job for a Fiat mechanic then?

[Exit98]

I used a windshield shop recommended by one of the other NJ Fiat guys (thanks Tony). He swapped it out for $100 using the used one I provided. I know he didn't pull out the windshield frame from the car and for sure he didn't pull the dash. Used the old gasket, picked it up the next day, perfect. No leaks and I've been in heavy rain.

[vandor]

>You can't replace the windscreen unless you remove the dash?

As I said:

" If it's there [the dash] than I'd likely put the rubber down by itself, make sure it sits in the right place, then set the glass on it and work the seal up and around the glass. Then slide the frame over that."

You will need to have it done by someone who is willing to take their time on it and do it right.

[azruss]

It can be installed with the dash in place. the cowling will have to be removed and great care in getting the bottom rubber to sit right on the sill. It is much easier without the dash, but can be done.

[dmwhiteoak]

With both spiders in my possession the seals have a small gap between the glass and Crome. Both in the same place. With the driver I inserted clear silicone into the gap to stop water from seeping through it.Passenger side, from the top corner down for about 4". Good luck!

Did this end up working whiteoak? Did it stop the leak? Recently I was caught in a big storm out on the open road, near hailed and no where to stop and take cover . I've had the spider out in rain before and have never had any problems with water ingress. This time it was coming in from the sun visor points and review mirror like crazy, my brother who was in the car at the time helped to try and trace the problem when we got home and the gap between the frame and a shrunken gasket is the only place we could spot. I really don't want to change the gasket as it is very rare that I take the spider out in bad weather but I didn't want that happening again just in case I get caught out again, this is why I'm keen to hear if the silicone worked..

BTW good luck with the windscreen change Seldomseen, keep us posted.

Yes, working great so far.