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EFV-8 Club Forum / 1940 Ford Discussion / Convertible Window Runner

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Convertible Window Runner     pech33 07-29-2021 @ 5:14 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 84 Joined: Mar 2011 In dealing with the passenger regulator, I bought new window runners. It was a kit that came with a front piece (long) and a short piece for rear of the door. The window frame has four wheels, two in front and back that run in the 'runner" as the window climbs to the top. The new channel runs the full length from the windwing frame top to the bottom of the runner. I have had a heckuva time getting the regulator to work smoothly. I decided to remove (rip out, it is toast now) the runner for the back of the door. The new runner , in my estimation, is way too thick and is a big problem. My driver's door needs a new runner also and I may cut it shorter rather than deal with the anguish of scr*w*ng up my regulators. We'll see how it goes after the new regulator arrives. Mike: What is your take on the window runners for the convertible? Pat’s 40 Ragtop kubes40 07-29-2021 @ 6:04 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3395 Joined: Oct 2009 I've never had repop channels. Where did you get them? Mike "Kube" Kubarth pech33 07-29-2021 @ 9:50 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 84 Joined: Mar 2011 I bought it from the Early ford Store, I believe. There were no instructions with the kit. I think I will cut the fuzzy runner off that is already attached to the vent window assembly just above where the wheels on the front of the window will stop. This will allow the wheels to stay in the runner and the smooth portion of the window frame to glide to the top of the vent window. I may do the same on the rear runner as it will only require a few inches of the channel to hold the frame when the window is rolled up. Both of my windows had no runner fuzzy at all, front or back, just the remnants of the thin metal backing that used to be covered in fuzzy. Pat’s 40 Ragtop This message was edited by pech33 on 7-29-21 @ 9:53 PM pech33 08-02-2021 @ 5:56 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 84 Joined: Mar 2011 Here is what I did. I cut the new window runner felt at the point where the pencil is in the first picture. The other pictures show the new runner in place. The "kit" comes with a full length piece of runner that, I believe, hinders the operation of the wheels in the lower steel channel if you run it to the bottom. The wheels are wider than the chrome window frame and I believe this is the only way it will work. I am awaiting the new regulator to see the results. I am not putting a small piece (2" or so) of runner in the rear "window guide" I can add it later if it rattles for some reason (I doubt that it will). This is an expensive lesson and I thought the Benny Bootle book would have the proper method of doing this procedure. It does NOT! The title is "A Compendium of Current Restoration Practices". It is not, in my opinion. It tells you what the judges are looking for if you have entered your car in that type of event. I was hoping it would be a book that TELLS YOU HOW TO RESTORE, REPAIR, ETC our 40 Fords, it does not. I suppose there are not enough 40 Fords out there that are left to restore that would encourage someone to do a book on "how to . . . do everything" to a 40 Ford. Mike Kubarth's book lays out what makes a 40 Ford a 40 Ford, the parts and pieces of a correct car. It is a great tool to know "what you should have"! Pat’s 40 Ragtop pech33 08-05-2021 @ 3:38 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 84 Joined: Mar 2011 Finished. Here is a brief description of what I have learned about convertible window regulator installation. Picture 1 shows the regulator and side glass at the bottom of the door. A mechanic friend suggested I have some kind of padding in the bottom of the door in case you drop the glass, I didn't drop it. It helps to have a second pair of hands, I didn't, but I had taken it in and out about eight times because of regulator problems, so it is no big deal now. Picture 2 shows the glass shoved all the way to the back of door IN THE REAR RUNNER. I forgot and had a tough time sliding the rear runner up behind the assembly, but I did it. Picture 3 shows the gap you have to have to slide the Window vent section in. Be careful of the new fuzzy on the outer side of the glass. As you slide it down, you can destroy the fuzzy. See the next post. Pat’s 40 Ragtop pech33 08-05-2021 @ 4:05 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 84 Joined: Mar 2011 Picture 1 shows the vent window assembly going in. Picture 2 - As you get close to the fuzzy, be very careful that this little protrusion doesn't catch on the fuzzy, it will destroy it (I know). Picture 3-Make sure that the front of the vent window assembly "clears" the bracket in the front of the door. Don't force the assembly down, it will go if you are gentle. Picture 4 shows the "homemade" (I think) bracket to hold the vent window assembly. I have no idea what it looked like when it came out of the factory. When I dig into the drivers side window runner I may see the original or I may see this repeated. It does hold the assembly tight and it is adjustable with slots that allow for correct fit. That's it. I wish I had had a book on how to do it. I do know that the fuzzy in the front runner cannot extend down into the entire channel. I scr*w*d up my regulator forcing the glass up the channel. The runner I purchased from The Early Ford Store was way too long. Unless Kubes or someone has a way to make the wheels on the window run in that long channel, cut it off where I show in one of the earlier posts. It works smoothly. My Dad always said "some lessons are more expensive than others". Funny how right he was about a lot of things. Pat’s 40 Ragtop This message was edited by pech33 on 8-5-21 @ 4:08 PM

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