vent windows

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

shortarms

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2021
Posts
36
Reaction score
8
Location
Oklahoma
First Name
Rex
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10 Suburban
Engine Size
350
I don't know if I screwed something up or if the donor vent frame was bent. I pulled the vent window from a wrecked 84. Seemed OK after powdercoat and reassembly, but now in the truck I have an 1/8" gap. it isn't closed all the way in the picture though, because the latch doesn't work. If I push the window in, like it would be if it were latched, it goes down to around 1/32" and I can still see daylight.

Also, brand new OER (classic industries) latches, as soon as I try to lock the vent, the latch handle spins off in my hand. The roll pin just pushes out of the groove. It's hard to tell but you can see the shiny spot where the roll pin slid over the post.

What am I doing wrong? PICTURES
 

Tank6x2

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Posts
837
Reaction score
708
Location
Edmonton Alberta Canada
First Name
Kurt
Truck Year
79/86
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
350, TH400.4:10 gears 2WD
You didn’t post pictures to start :emotions122:
 

ali_c20

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Posts
1,302
Reaction score
1,853
Location
Austria
First Name
Alexander
Truck Year
1974, 1979
Truck Model
C20, K5
Engine Size
350, 350

Octane

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2019
Posts
2,038
Reaction score
3,629
Location
Atlanta
First Name
Eddie
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Must have siliconed them shut.
 

EvilGenius

Full Access Member
Joined
May 12, 2016
Posts
204
Reaction score
156
Location
Metro Detroit
First Name
Darien
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Just a note for some people on this issue. I had the same problem after rebuilding my vent windows. Couldn't figure out where the gap was coming from with all the seals sitting nice and the pivot rivet installed. I called precision (I used their seals) and spoke to someone in their vent window rebuild group. He told me that gaps like that are not uncommon and to fix it just pry on the window frame until it closes the gap. Keep in mind that you will need to move it beyond where it touches the seal due to the elasticity of the frame. It was scary to do after just rebuilding them, but I did eliminate the gap and now it looks like it seals fully. Haven't been on the road yet with these windows, but all seems good so far.
 

shortarms

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2021
Posts
36
Reaction score
8
Location
Oklahoma
First Name
Rex
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10 Suburban
Engine Size
350
There are 2 styles of wetherstrip for the later vent window styles, one and 2piece and they don't interchange.
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-chevy-gmc/vent-window/cc-1973-87-vent-window-components

Have you used the right plastic washer for the latches? The older style glass is thicker.
the type is correct, they were originally 2 piece and i used replacement precision 2 piece.

on the latch washer, i'm not sure. There were extra pieces in the bag with no instructions and I didn't have one to reference. I'll check the washers.
 

shortarms

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2021
Posts
36
Reaction score
8
Location
Oklahoma
First Name
Rex
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10 Suburban
Engine Size
350
Just a note for some people on this issue. I had the same problem after rebuilding my vent windows. Couldn't figure out where the gap was coming from with all the seals sitting nice and the pivot rivet installed. I called precision (I used their seals) and spoke to someone in their vent window rebuild group. He told me that gaps like that are not uncommon and to fix it just pry on the window frame until it closes the gap. Keep in mind that you will need to move it beyond where it touches the seal due to the elasticity of the frame. It was scary to do after just rebuilding them, but I did eliminate the gap and now it looks like it seals fully. Haven't been on the road yet with these windows, but all seems good so far.
If that's all it takes, maybe I tweaked them getting it in. i did have to pry it over pretty good to get it in the door correctly. These are precision seals as well.

so pull it out and bend it around until it seals?
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
6,972
Reaction score
12,222
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
Just a note for some people on this issue. I had the same problem after rebuilding my vent windows. Couldn't figure out where the gap was coming from with all the seals sitting nice and the pivot rivet installed. I called precision (I used their seals) and spoke to someone in their vent window rebuild group. He told me that gaps like that are not uncommon and to fix it just pry on the window frame until it closes the gap. Keep in mind that you will need to move it beyond where it touches the seal due to the elasticity of the frame. It was scary to do after just rebuilding them, but I did eliminate the gap and now it looks like it seals fully. Haven't been on the road yet with these windows, but all seems good so far.
You mean the angled portion of the wing window frame? Like before installing them into the door?
 

EvilGenius

Full Access Member
Joined
May 12, 2016
Posts
204
Reaction score
156
Location
Metro Detroit
First Name
Darien
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
I pried primarily on the part of the frame that holds the glass. The gap seems to originate from a tweaked pivot joint. The little arm that holds the pivot rivet translates into a lot of movement in the window location if it gets tweaked. The goal if you have a gap is to try and tweak that little arm in the direction you need it to seal up the window. It will take some trial and error. I did it with the window fully installed in the door and just used my hands and body weight, no tools.
 

Randy and Easton

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Posts
900
Reaction score
1,303
Location
North Richland Hills, Texas
First Name
Randy
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
C-10 LWB
Engine Size
350
Shortarms, did you take frames apart?

Randy and Easton
 

Attachments

  • 41C29334-75F4-4AD9-BC93-17A25B72B2AA.jpeg
    41C29334-75F4-4AD9-BC93-17A25B72B2AA.jpeg
    290.2 KB · Views: 90
  • 5FA68A51-2036-448D-91A7-1692CB4106A5.jpeg
    5FA68A51-2036-448D-91A7-1692CB4106A5.jpeg
    260.1 KB · Views: 100
  • 85C4C7AB-5481-4549-B087-536481723405.jpeg
    85C4C7AB-5481-4549-B087-536481723405.jpeg
    293.8 KB · Views: 100
  • 165B4224-CF99-4137-AD58-21ABE450936B.jpeg
    165B4224-CF99-4137-AD58-21ABE450936B.jpeg
    285.3 KB · Views: 103

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,167
Posts
950,720
Members
36,282
Latest member
Doug Hampton
Top