What is the purpose of the steel tab shown on the front windows? Mine are in front of the gasket and strike the glass. Is this the correct position? Gaskets looks correct for the position but seems odd that steel would strike the glass each time you close the door.

 

The tabs were originally coated w/a layer of black plastic...so there wouldn't be any metal-on-glass contact

The coating deteriorates and chips off over time. Those "clips" (or whatever we want to call them) are available from some repro vendors and the originals can also be "rehabbed". There are two different clip heights as well. Hardtop cars used a second clip up on the roofrail weatherstrip stainless piece (different height vs. the one on your A pillar stainless).

 

Might be a stupid idea, but to prevent metal-on-glass contract, what about Plasti-Dip like you might use on hand tools?

Chris

 

Not a stupid idea...Plasti-dip is a bit softer than the original coating but definitely a "easier" option. Will probably take multiple dips in the Plasti-dip to get some thickness since the stuff has so much solvent in it and ends up drying very thin when you only put one or two coats on there. Quite frankly, I don't think the window glass ever gets super close to the clip(s) when the glass is properly adjusted.

 

That tab is usually a window guide/stop to help align the glass as the door closes. It shouldn’t be striking bare glass directly, it’s normally meant to sit behind the gasket or lightly contact a cushioned area.

 

Thanks guys! I wasn't sure if the tab was supposed to bein front of the rubber or totally behind it. Behind didn't look right or conform. If I can't locate replacements, I may go the route of dipping and try liquid rubber that electricians use. It dries a little thicker.

 

It's original and faces the right way. Good eye on the details...those are a commonly "overlooked" part/detail.

It's held on to the bright stainless channel w/two steel rivets. Can be re-riveted back in place if you remove it but removal and reinstall will require you to completely remove the bright stainless channel to access the rivets. I wouldn't rely on a glue to try and reinstall it on to the stainless channel.

 

Thanks for the tech tips. This Olds community is one HUGE wealth of information!

 

Dunno your YMM, but on my '72 Supreme I have plenty of room between the "tab" and the glass, both on the A pillar and along the top. I know it's kinda hard to see here, but I've probably got at least 1/4" of clearance.

 

I see it. Kind of makes me wonder if this is a cheap set of gaskets on here too? Previous owner took lots of shortcuts!

 

The "gasket" (ie - A pillar weatherstrip) is likely a replacement and looks just fine. There are 2-3 brands of those made and they are all the same profile/shape for the most part. The weatherstrip-to-tab interface/contact is just fine.

 

I believe those are 'blow out clips'. Search those words and you will find multiple suppliers. The hard part is figuring out the exact size difference. The A pillar ones are easy to find by themselves, used on Corvettes, etc. but the roof rail ones there are usually sold with the A pillars not separate and they will be either the same size as the A pillar which isn't really correct or bigger? than they should be. Hard to get measurements from sellers to compare. Most are sold as a set for F bodies but then again are different from 67/69 and 70-up. Gets confusing but I would love to hear from someone that found exact size replacement for all 4 clips..