Windshield gasket question with reproduction glass

[BGlover67]

I ordered a date correct windshield from ECS.  Very nice folks to deal with.  I nquired about the difference between original glass thickness versus the new glass being made.  He told me there was about a millimeter less difference with the new stuff.  He also said that the new gaskets take this into account, but my restorer had strongly suggested that I purchase an NOS gasket because they are superior.  So what's better to use? Is there something special I should tell the glass installer?

[Bob Gaines]

I ordered a date correct windshield from ECS.  Very nice folks to deal with.  I nquired about the difference between original glass thickness versus the new glass being made.  He told me there was about a millimeter less difference with the new stuff.  He also said that the new gaskets take this into account, but my restorer had strongly suggested that I purchase an NOS gasket because they are superior.  So what's better to use? Is there something special I should tell the glass installer?

repros windshield rubbers have a tendency to tear at the corners over time.

[Coralsnake]

Okay, wait, my bs meter just pegged...you are saying that the Chinese and other reproduction rubber companies have a 1 mm adjustment to their gaskets? Then wouldnt they be intentionally making their parts wrong and incompatible with original glass?

[corbins]

Not sure a millimeter difference in thickness could make any difference in the installation quality between the two gaskets mentioned. And wonder how much better a 40/50 year old , dried out NOS gasket would be over a good quality repro. And I would think that folks here would pipe up with their own personal experiences with the aftermarket glass and gaskets, brands used, install techniques, etc.

[greekz]

I cannot speak to the quality of reproduction windshield gaskets made today, but can give you reference to gaskets installed in 1990 on my 1967 GT-350.  The reproduction windshield was installed with a Ford gasket of uncertain age that I purchased in the late 1980's and it still looks good.  The rear window was installed with new reproduction gasket and it cracked in each corner after a few years.  On my 1966 GT-350, the reproduction windshield was installed mid-1990's with a Ford gasket and it still looks good. My cars only see the sun during driving and car show only.  Unless the quality of reproduction gaskets has improved, I believe they will crack faster than a Ford gasket.  Could be wrong.  With the exception of those on this Forum that make great quality reproduction parts, most of what is out there is sub-standard.  And, that is being polite.

Just my opinion.

Greek

[BGlover67]

Okay, wait, my bs meter just pegged...you are saying that the Chinese and other reproduction rubber companies have a 1 mm adjustment to their gaskets? Then wouldnt they be intentionally making their parts wrong and incompatible with original glass?

Pete, I agree it sounded odd, but that's what they told me.  Hard to get a straight answer about this.


Brian

[tesgt350]

Where would you find a good enough NOS Gasket?

[Bob Gaines]

Where would you find a good enough NOS Gasket?

Watch eBay for one instance. I see them for sale all of the time. 

[roddster]

  Eventually we're going to run out of NOS gaskets.  Then there is that real NOS, or is that the old "is that the 80's/90's" NOS argument.  And of course, way too late for some reproduction company to put some research into making an even better gasket, rather than one that just works "good enough".

[CharlesTurner]

There's usually a couple NOS windshield gaskets on ebay at any one point.  They range from $150-250.  I have had the same issues with repro gaskets that Bob mentioned, they crack in the corners, leaving a gap.