Early windshield spacer/seal

[Steve Abbott]

I have searched but I can't seem to find much on this part for the earlier 40's. I'm looking for a new windshield spacer/seal for my '65 40, but all I can find are for 1969 and newer. Just looking at what is available, the obvious difference between those and my old spacer/seal is that my old one is missing the the circular cutouts on either end. Does any one know if the newer one will work on my earlier 40? I have the shorter windshield with the vent in the bottom of the frame if that matters. Thanks!

 

[Steve Abbott]

I just realized that I forgot to include a pic of the part I'm referring to. This is a pic of a new one courtesy of City Racer.

 

[brian]

I'm probably going to end up cutting a new one.
No idea if this one is oe or not.

 

[Living in the Past]

Not sure the change in design but my FJ25s and early FJ40s weatherstripping was a solid piece of rubber. Prior to the defrost vents only has a small hole for the wiper wiring. Only dropped my 9/67 FJ45's windshield once. Know it has room light and defrost vents in addition to wiper motor. Can't remember if has the solid rubber or the later style closer plastic with ribs.

 

[psreno]

Did you find a year appropriate spacer? I'm in a similar boat, however I have a 68 with the vent holes. However, the windshield won't even come close to closing. It's pinching up.
I have a City Racer one I'm thinking about trimming down to fit.

 

[Steve Abbott]

Did you find a year appropriate spacer? I'm in a similar boat, however I have a 68 with the vent holes. However, the windshield won't even come close to closing. It's pinching up.
I have a City Racer one I'm thinking about trimming down to fit.

I haven't found one yet. Is the newer version just too thick? Any other potential fitment issues?

 

[65swb45]

Did you find a year appropriate spacer? I'm in a similar boat, however I have a 68 with the vent holes. However, the windshield won't even come close to closing. It's pinching up.
I have a City Racer one I'm thinking about trimming down to fit.

The OE one is 'fat' too. And it takes time to squish down. Like measured in years. It seems wrong to have to trim something that is new, but sometimes that is what it takes.

I remember reading over a decade ago about someone putting a strap around the windshield frame in order to pull it back far enough with the new weatherstrip to get the hardtop on. They finally succeeded when the windshield frame buckled at the hinges!

 

[psreno]

I did cut the back off where it butts up against the dash last night. With a little vaseline on the leading edge I was finally able to get the W/S closed enough to get the handles to screw in. Took about an hour, but that was after about 3 hours failing to get the old spacer to work. Using the bikini top to keep it taught, I took a little drive and tightened the hand screws as it bounced back and forth. I think it's going to work. Time will tell.