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Ok this window has some rust and needs to be taken apart to be repaired and new rubber shields added too. I have not found any replacement parts warehouse that sells 31 window rubber shields for the side and bottom of window. Are people laughing, is it assumed that I make my own? Does anyone have experience taking this window style apart or do I not try and have to send it to someone to do for me? I have damage next to nothing so far and want to keep it that way. Any guidance is appreciated.
Sorry, but I don't think I have any good answers but here's some advice anyway. Try to find an old glass shop with an experienced glass guy. I'm sure someone like that would be able to give you a good path to follow. You'll probably have to reverse engineer it, that is, figure out how it was put together in 31 and take it apart in reverse order. This is were the "fun" creative part of restoring an old car comes in!
Tim Mabry
The Lost Cause Garage
47 Suburban
57 Sportsman 4dr HT
First you need to get the chrome stanchions off.
The "upper" part of the frame has an angle bracket in it that is holding the lower "u" shaped 3/4s of the frame to the top by 2 machine screws on each side. You might not be able to see them now because the stanchions are in the way.
Frustratingly, the screws are slotted , a fine thread, and are probably rusted tight. They can be a real booger to get out. ("booger" being the professional term for things that don't cooperate)
Patience is key. It's way better to take it slow and get the screws out than hurry, snap them off, and then have to drill out the broken remnants of a #10-32 machine screw.
Once you successfully take the screws out, you need to separate the glass from the bedding tape. It wouldn't hurt to soak the edges of the glass/tape with your favorite penetrating oil and come back later.
I usually get a partner to hold the assembly, and then take a short 2X4 or something similar and hold it against the straight top frame section and strike the 2X4 with a medium weight hammer to drive the upper section of the frame off. If you slide the hammer on the glass surface, you can be successful without breaking the glass, because you never actually should strike the glass. Work back and forth the length of the frame section and again, take your time.
After I get the straight section off, I get my helper to hold the glass, and I then use the wood and hammer to strike the now exposed ends of the frame (again, alternating back and forth from one side to the other...) You can also strike the bottom (the curved part) of the frame similar to how you did the top straight section. You need to bring the glass out of the 3 sides of the frame somewhat evenly.
Patience, patience, patience.
It's flat glass, so your local glass shop should be able to cut you a new piece of safety glass.
There is probably a "T" rubber in a groove around the 3 sides of the windshield frame that would make a reasonable seal against the cowl of the body and the stanchions. Steele Rubber Products makes many T rubbers of different dimensions and you should be able to find one appropriate.
Good luck! Keep us posted.
Tim
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
You now have instructions from the Pro
that's why I get to use the term "booger". It's kind of like being a OO in the British Secret Service. 
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Thanks guys, that is some excellent advise and disassemble information. I have started it soaking and will attempt the break down of the frame this weekend. Thanks so much
Chris
