Restoration of 2358R

[Certified Lotus]

Lou, your recommendation of starting in the middle for the top and bottom is something we did not try. We were focused on trying to get one of the corners in.

I think next time I’ll heat up the rubber molding again (in the sun) to allow for more flexibility.

BDA, memories are good. Even distant ones........

[4129R]

Is the rubber new, or the original?

[Certified Lotus]

New rubber.

[4129R]

On a warm day, use hand cleaner jelly lube, a putty knife or thin bladed knife without a cutting edge, and a medium sized flat bladed screwdriver.

The corners might need two flat bladed screwdrivers.

Are you working from in the engine bay, or is the engine fitted?

[EuropaTC]

With several hands and minds I'd have expected it to be in now, but as it's proving so difficult then I'd measure up the assembly at a couple of points.

The body and glass dimensions are easy enough to get a height/width, the web of the seal is also easy enough. Do the maths and see if it will actually fit in the hole !  If it will, then you know it's possible and it's just a case of getting your technique right.

Brian

[4129R]

If it came out of that hole, and the rubber is the same dimensions, in theory it should go back in the hole provided it is central in the hole.

[surfguitar58]

Way out of my depth here, but in my experience stubborn rubber things get heat and lubrication, like soaking the rubber bit in nearly boiling water and lubing up with water and dish soap.
t

[Certified Lotus]

I’m in the Dolomites for a week, so the thoughts of installing the rear window are far gone for the moment.

4129R, agreed if it came out it must be able to go back in. When I was taking the window out I thought to myself, “this will be a tight fit”. Yes, I am standing in the engine bay without the chassis attached. I have the body on my lift so I can move it up and down to any height.

I reached out to a friend of mine who used to work at the Lotus factory during this era and he told me they used string and a lot of cussing to get these rear windows into the rubber molding. I didn’t get more detail than that.

As they say, the third time is a charm. Will report back when I return and tackle it once again.

[dakazman]

Glen, the string method should work. Leaving the string in the rubber track and securing as much of the channel by hand. Only using the string in the radius slowly while keeping pressure on glass.
I have also used liquid leak detection fluid and it’s always too hot here so the seals need not to be stretched too much. My triple glass rear window on my MGA was my most challenging.
Dave

[jbcollier]

I have installed lots of windows into rubber moulding.  Easy peasy I thought as I regarded the rear window.  I wrapped the string around and... two hours later, was no closer to getting that damn window in.  So, I read the manual and followed its directions.  Window was in with a half hour.  YMMV.

[Certified Lotus]

Reading the manual JB, what a novel thought! Your spot on as usual.

[Certified Lotus]

Off topic as I’m in the Italian Alps. On a hike today and had absolutely no expectations to see ANYTHING automotive related. That would be an incorrect assumption.

[BDA]

It's probably more appropriate to say that Lamborghini cars are tractor related (since they came first)! 

[4129R]

It's probably more appropriate to say that Lamborghini cars are tractor related (since they came first)! 

No bull !

[BDA]

No bull !