C4 Conv. Weatherstripping

[ROADKING]

I NEED TO REPLACE MY WEATHERSTRIPPING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD OF MY '92 CONV. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE (BESIDES PRICE) BETWEEN FACTORY & AFTER MARKET? IS IT A VERY DIFFICULT JOB? IF I USE AFTER MARKET WILL IT HOLD UP AS WELL & WILL IT AFFECT MY ORIGINAL CAR STATUS?

[fatherlarry]

Welcome aboard fellow Allentowner. In answer to your question, there are a lot of aftermarket products out there. One company that I could recommend that I used for some restorations, and felt had high quality products is Steele Rubber Products. In fact, they are often on the Speedvision channel on Sundays and were recently on a segment for Hemmings Garage. Here's a link to their website. Click on the My Classic Car link on the homepage to see Sam & Dennis from Hemmings Garage, demonstrating and discussing rubber parts replacements.

Steele Rubber Products (http://166.82.96.9/homeframes.html)

Not all aftermarket products are the same. Being you have a '92 and they still make the factory weatherstripping from GM, you may consider ordering from GM, but it might be more expensive. But at least you know that it will fit exact. If you use an aftermarket and it is a quality product, and an excellent fit, it shouldn't effect the collectibility or value of the car.

As far as difficulty level, on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most difficult I would rate it a 2 1/2. What stripping are you replacing on your '92? Are you replacing the ribs for the convertible top, weatherstripping on the doors, or hinge posts? If you could be a little more specific it would be helpful. Difficulty of installation will depend on which weatherstripping you are replacing. Some are easier, some are harder to remove and install. But, overall it's not that difficult to do. Let me know if you need more help.

[ROADKING]

THANKS FOR ANSWERING ME.....THE PIECE OF WEATHER STRIPING I NEED IS THE RUBBER THAT IS AROUND THE WINDSHIELD IT SELF. I GUESS FROM BEING GARAGED WITH THE CONV. TOP UP FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME IT STUCK TO THE TOP & TORE A COUPLE CHUNKS OUT OF THE RUBBER ON THE WINDSHIELD STRIPPING......

[fatherlarry]

If you have never changed this weatherstripping before, I would not recommend doing it yourself. The windshield weatherstripping is called a windshield header and it will include the pillar seals. This weatherstripping is crucial and if not taken apart properly and surface cleaned correctly, and installed correctly, you may wind up with a leak or poor alignment of your top. It's also pretty expensive, around $250-$300 depending on the vendor. If you go see Vic, the parts manager at Outten Chevrolet, Allentown, PA, and tell him you're a member of FatherLarry's Corvette Shop, you'll get a discount. This way you'll be getting the factory part. You can also have it installed by their service dept. Ask for Mike Kotze. You'll also get a discount for service, being you're a member here. Just don't forget to tell them. This weatherstripping is just too expensive to mess with if you've never done this. Let me know how you make out. Outten's telephone number is 610 434-4201 and ask for Vic in parts or service.