Windshield Removal

Does anyone know the best technique for removing a front windshield without breaking it? Need to do some front end work. Also how difficult am I going to find the job, the glass appears to O/E on a 1964 Van. Thanks.

bEST ADVICE= CUT THE OUTER RUBBER SEAL & GET A GLASS shop to do it!! Blieve me!! all depends on weather the glass was rubber sealed after install in the rubber gasket!!  

Unless the seal is less than 5 years old and still soft I agree with Twin. Cut the old seal and order a new one from Dennis Carpenter. I believe the seals are still going for around $50 + shipping. The new seal will pull in pretty easy using the cord method and a friend or two to hold everything in place. I think the new seal comes with installation instructions. Be very careful not to pry on the glass, it will crack easy, and it's a good idea to do the job when the air temp is between 65 and 75 degrees and out of the hot sunlight.

If the gasket has previously be back sealed then I say cut the rubber out. If not lube the gasket from the inside then start at the top drivers or passenger corner with a hook tool and bones and go very slowly.

I removed all of the glass from my 65 Spring Special truck, all original seals and they all came out without cutting. Work from the inside with a windex squirt or similar bottle full of soapy water for lubricate. The seals must be warm (70 degrees) Lift up the inner seaal lip and squirt lots of the soapy water onto the area, then with three stiff putty knifes you can work the inside of the seal under the retaining lip, starting at the top center. It is a slow process but you can save the seals, I would start on the rear window for practice, use lots of the water.

If the seal is hard and split I'd cut it out the side windows easier done by rolling the inside lip up and out ... make sure you have somebody on the other side though to catch the possible fall. Front windshield can be a cow and is very easy to break ... trust me ... a huge thing to watch for is if your ride has ever been hit on the front ... the window opening will likely have changed and only a glass shop can custom a new one in ... trust me on that as well ...

From experiences- if there is even a small chip in the glass?????? best get ready for a new one!! it will usually break!!

No chips cracks etc. windshield looks to original