OK, here is my newbie question for today. 

I have decided to replacement my cracked and wiper scratched windshield and was looking for a little advice.  My questions:

1)I am not going to do the job myself so is it safe to use a company like Harmon Glass?  Anyone have experience with Harmon? Other company recommendations?

2)Should I purchase the windshield from CC, MAM, or Ecklers or just use the windshield the glass company would provide? 

3)If I provided the windshield from a catalog, what would be the pros and cons (other than cost) of using an Astro Vent windshield with the correct year? 

4)Other than the glass itself, I assume the weatherstripping needs replaced.  Could someone please give me a part number from a catalog to show me exactly what it is that I need?  Any other part replacement suggestions while the windshield is out?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me out.

Rob

Harmon has a good reputation in this area.  Any good auto glass company should be able to handle the install.  Ask them questions about having done this job in a C3 before, and see how you feel about their answers.

The glass itself can come from anywhere.  There is the difference if you want to keep it OEM.  The proper stamps, etc on the glass is important if you want to keep it "Stock".  If it's already custom or not a show car, it doesn't really matter.  Big difference in price.

I have not yet purchased an weatherstrip for my car.  I will leave this question to others.  How about it folks?

There is no weatherstrip, per-se, on the front windershield. It is glued in, and the glass becomes a structural part of the frame/chassis. It is glued in with a specific type of rope/sealant(3M brand). I think it is normally called "Pinch-weld"
Any reputable glass shop can do this. If you are not looking for a "factory correct", NCRS/Bloomington result, any of the aftermarket glass would be fine.
As far as I know, there was no "Astro-Ventilation" logos on the front glass, anyway; only the door glass had this. (I could be wrong )
If you have to have correctly dated glass, you're not going to find anything that is 100% correct, anyway. The original "printing" on the glass was put in betweeen the layers, on the windshield. All of the repro glass is either sandblasted, acid etched, or uses a decal. Neither would get past even a novice judge. Adams' Apple38675.8640162037

[QUOTE=rkenley1]

OK, here is my newbie question for today. 

I have decided to replacement my cracked and wiper scratched windshield and was looking for a little advice.  My questions:

2)Should I purchase the windshield from CC, MAM, or Ecklers or just use the windshield the glass company would provide? 

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me out.

Rob

..[/QUOTE]

First welcome and you came to the right place.

If you supply the windshield I don't believe the installer will guarantee the glass afterwards ( mine wouldn't)... and i don't think you will save that much on after market galss after paying shipping etc... I went the way of supplying my own and after I paid the installer I would have been better to just have them do a turn key, and it would be guaranteed....

Don't forget to check the header (bird cage ) for rust... before installing  the new windshield as it's close to impossible to take the chome off with the windshield in (been there... done that). Couple of screws hold the corners on that are very close to the glass edge.

check the archives I think there is a lot on this topic...

Good luck

I agree with 2 Cruzn. Check and repair the windshield frame when you have the glass out. This area is prone to rust out. As far as, where to get your glass from... most local companies do great jobs. The question there is "show" or not. Glass is cheap just shop around.

yes, be sure to check your birdcage for rust i was tearing my windshield out because it was cracked. i was getting all the sealant out and noticed some rust after scaping some of it away i noticed some gray in there so i started pulling on this stuff  turns out it was  duct tape all balled up and shoved into the top header rail of the windshield. i was pulling and pulling  it was like the whole windshield frame was stuffed with balled up duct tape. i joke with people and say i was like a magician pulling scarves  out of his sleve the stuff just kept coming and coming out of there and this was from relatively very clean 72' needless to say what turned out to be a windshield replacement turned out to be an entire body tear down and bird cage replacement. might sound a little exteme but i wanted to nip it now instead of later . i lucked out and got clean cage up at carlisle. sand blasted and powder coated now.  i'm well on my to getting this thing back together

   When I had to have the windshield replaced in my 78, I went to a body shop I know and they recommended a detail shop they use in my area. I got a correct replacement windshield proper for my year of car, they cleaned up the headers and side rails, rust proofed everything and repainted them black and installed the new windshield - all for 200 bocks and a life time guarentee. This my be an avenue to try. Good luck.

 

Jim  78SEvette

If you want an exact reproduction windshield that will pass judging, the only place to get it is Pilkington Classics.  800-848-1351.  It will have the date between the laminations just like the orginal.  Their prices are reasonable for what you are getting. 

Mark

Hey everyone, thank you so much to those who responded to my windshield replacement message.  Sounds pretty straight forward and I just need to decide which type of glass to put on her.  Take care.

Rob