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Mysterious Metal Piece from Front Window Mechanism 66 Cad

Started by Seans 66, July 19, 2012, 01:42:54 PM

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Seans 66

I've been doing a long term restoration on my 66 DeVille and in the process I removed all the windows from the car.  Its a 2 door car and when I removed both front windows, this mysterious metal piece fell inside the door.  I'm fairly certain it attaches to one of the three bolts that hold the window to the regulator mechanism but I can't figure out which bolt it goes on.  The body manual is no help and a recent trip to the wrecking yard didn't yield any clues either.  There is wear on these parts so it looks like its necessary.  My suspician is that it prevents the window from rattling around.  The piece is about 3 inches long and about an inch wide.  I've attached a picture showing the parts with both sides in view.  I laid a pair of pliers along the side so you have a reference for size. 

Does anybody have any clues???

Ralph Messina CLC 4937

Sean,

The pic onlyopens partially for me. It may be too large for posting. Please try a lower resolution.

Ralph
1966 Fleetwood Brougham-with a new caretaker http://bit.ly/1GCn8I4
1966 Eldorado-with a new caretaker  http://bit.ly/1OrxLoY
2018 GMC Yukon

Seans 66

I sent a small copy of the pic.  Lets try again at even lower resolution.

Ralph Messina CLC 4937

Sean,

I have the windows out of my '66 Eldorado and I don't recognize the items as window parts. I suspect they are from the door latch or lock mechanism. I'll check the doors mechanisms if I get to the shop tommorow.

Ralph
1966 Fleetwood Brougham-with a new caretaker http://bit.ly/1GCn8I4
1966 Eldorado-with a new caretaker  http://bit.ly/1OrxLoY
2018 GMC Yukon

Ralph Messina CLC 4937

Sean,

I checked the power window mechanisms, and door latch/lock mechanism and don’t see anything resembling the parts you showed. I also checked the exploded views in the Illustrated Parts Book and don’t see it there either. I have power vents, not manual, in both cars so I can’t comment on manual vent windows. Did these parts fall out when you removed the large windows or the vent windows?

Did you find one part in each door or both in one door?

Ralph
1966 Fleetwood Brougham-with a new caretaker http://bit.ly/1GCn8I4
1966 Eldorado-with a new caretaker  http://bit.ly/1OrxLoY
2018 GMC Yukon

Seans 66

Ralph

The parts fell out when I removed the door glass.  I didn't remove the vent windows.  I recall when I unbolted and removed the glass, I heard something fall into each door and upon investigation, these two parts were what fell.  I believe they attach on the outboard side of the bolts.  If you look at the photo, you can see a rectangular silhouette on one of the parts and that rectangle matches exactly to the head of a window bolt.  The question is-- which one?  The car is a convertible so it may be something specific to that body type.  The Fisher body manual has no indication these parts exist but the fact remains that they were in there and served some purpose.  If I didn't see wear on the parts, I wouldn't worry about putting them back in.  However, there is wear and it looks like each one was rubbing against something so they definitely serve a purpose.  I'd sure like to figure out what they do!

Steve Passmore

May I hazard a guess here please? but I stress I know nothing about 66 cars, but if its a convertible from all my experience with earlier soft tops they all have to have something to stop the side windows popping right out the top as they have no door upper frame to act as a stop. Could these parts affix to somewhere on the lower channels to act as limiters to the rising glass?  Just a thought.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

Seans 66

You know-- that's a possibility I had not considered at all.  Very good thought!

When I'm working on the car this evening I will explore this possibility.  Thank you!

Sean

Ralph Messina CLC 4937

Sean,

You really got my curiosity. I’ve restored two ‘66s and I’m working on a convertible now ……Never too late to learn. Please post whatever you find.

Ralph
1966 Fleetwood Brougham-with a new caretaker http://bit.ly/1GCn8I4
1966 Eldorado-with a new caretaker  http://bit.ly/1OrxLoY
2018 GMC Yukon

cadillactim

I have dismantled dozens of Cadillacs, including convertibles, and have never seen metal pieces like these. Someone may have put these in possibly as shims. They should not be stops for the glass, as that is accomplished differently.

Tim
Tim Groves

The Tassie Devil(le)

What intrigues me is the fact that there is a run of Electric Welding on one piece.

This indicates to me that they aren't factory, as a factory part would be the same for both pieces.

It could be that someone made up shims to gain better alignment.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Seans 66

The mystery has been solved.  These two metal tabs are factory parts and have parts markings of T20 and T14.  They are galvanized the same as the window regulators are.  After some additional analysis I determined these tabs are designed to run in the rear window guide channel on the front door windows.  These tabs have wear marks consistent with the felt lining in the rear guide channel and work perfectly to align and secure the window mounting bracket in the channel.  I unbolted the rear most bolt on each window and these tabs fit in perfectly.  Its all back together and the windows operarte beautifully. 

Thanks for everyone's help.  Making me think differently about the part is what allowed me to see what it does. 

Sean

The Tassie Devil(le)

I wonder if these parts are a Factory/warranty upgrade?

But, the run of weld still has me puzzled.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Seans 66

Bruce:

There is no weld on these parts at all.  They are a single stamped piece.  What you believe is weld in the picture is actually dark shiny metal that has been worn and polished by all the years of running up and down the window track.  I do wonder if they are some sort of upgrade that was done at the dealer to address a problem.  Does anyone have Cadillac Serviceman publications from the time that mention anything about the window tracks?

Sean