Vent window leakage

[BLIMP]

Has anyone here had any luck getting their vent windows to seal properly?
Is it a combination of sorts...like a worn motor gear along with old rubber seals? Or would replacing the vent seal solve most problems?
I'd be interested in what you guys have done. During the summer it's not an issue, as the vents are always open. Driving with them closed produces a loud whistle.

 

[CBODY67]

In TX, the vent windows were typically closed as more cars were ordered with factory a/c, or in the '60s, had "hang-down" a/c installed later.

On our '66 Newport, the vent window seal seems to have a high level of silicone in it, rather than just rubber (as other brands tended to use). There always seems to be a small whistle in the area where the glass seals near the upper pivot point. Not a lot that can be done there, from what I remember from back then. With a power unit, you're at the mercy at the strength of the motor to get the glass fully seated. But with the manual system, cranking it "tight" past a certain point would result in additional wear on the closing mechanism with NO decrease in the whistle.

IF the seal is actually split, probably not a lot that can be done. Might try bridging the gap with some black silicone sealer (the glossier one rather than the more charcoal colored ones). Key thing would be getting it to stick to the existing seal.

A NOS seal might be found, BUT if it's not been in its wrapper "flat", it might take some doing to get it flattened back out for a better replacement outcome.

ALSO, check the slide at the front of the door glass for the existence of the flocking on the plastic base material of the slide. A neat design, but probably not the best for a really tight seal against wind noise. Especially on a hardtop. Plus, the little rubber cap at the top of the side window slide, too, as a potential wind whistle location, where some black silicone "in the gaps" might help quieten that area, too.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[BLIMP]

Thanks for the pointers, I will investigate.

 

[BLIMP]

Thanks again for your advice CBODY67. Just a little update. Was pondering using some sort of glue or RTV to make an airtight seal. But like I mentioned earlier, I use the vents a lot in the summer, so a permanent caulk-like sealant wasn't an option.

But I did come up with something.

It may be a bit messy to apply, but once it dries, it cleans up easily. Should be no problem removing it all in the Spring.

If you're careful you can remove it by rubbing it with your fingers. How well it looks afterwards obviously depends on how much time you want to spend on it, but it sealed the air leaks.

 

[CBODY67]

On the '66 Newport, when I was in college, I parked it in a weekday-restricted parking spot and then forgot to move it to the student section. The campus people had it towed to their lot, where I had to retrieve it from. They used a coat hanger to get past the vent window weatherstrip, which was not good. I got some clear packaging tape and cut a small strip that I folded over the gasket. It sealed the split and matched the existing gloss pretty well. It's still there.

CBODY67