37 Ford crank out windshield stuck

[Mark's 37]

My new-to-me 37 Ford Tudor crank-out windshield is stuck in place probably from many decades being closed. Any advice on how to free this up without damages? Photos included:

[41PICUP]

Mark, if you take the piece above the windshield off, you'll find the hinges for the windshield and wiper motor. Spray a little WD-40 on the hinges and let them set awhile.
Also the crank out mechanism under dash. The rubber gasket may also be stuck to the body. When you try to open it, have someone help you by pushing out on the windshield with even pressure from the inside. when you get it to budge a little, stop and close it, then try again. Just keep at it, little by little. The hinges at probably pretty rusted, mine were, it will take awhile. Good luck. Jim

[keith oh]

You would probably have better results using 50-50 ATF-Acetone mix than WD40. WD 40 stands for water displacer formula # 40. There is no lubricant in it.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Mark we had that on our '37 pickup years ago. 41PCUP offers some good advice.

Ours was 'silicone caulked' we found out, due to the last owner. He was tired of getting his feet wet in a rainstorm!! After we dug the caulk out and put in a new rubber W/S gasket, lubed the crank and hinges, it cranked out flawlessly.

But, still leaked like a sieve Just stay out of the rain.

[Mark's 37]

I carefully removed the rear view mirror and inside trim around the passenger windshield. No rust at all. The windshield is firmly stuck in the closed position and I think the seal has glued it shut over the decades. At this point, I am leaving it as it is and not risking damaging anything trying free it up. Just not worth creating a nightmare. Thanks for the help.

[Lawson Cox]

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A wise move my friend.

[Clem Clement]

A replacement rack is available for those mechs.

[VeryTangled]

Originally Posted by keith oh

You would probably have better results using 50-50 ATF-Acetone mix than WD40. WD 40 stands for water displacer formula # 40. There is no lubricant in it.

Hi Everyone, In the never-ending quest for knowledge I looked up WD40 on Wikipedia. It does have lubricant in it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40

"Function: The long-term active ingredient is a non-volatile, viscous oil which remains on the surface, providing lubrication and protection from moisture. This is is diluted with a volatile hydrocarbon to give a low viscosity fluid which can be sprayed and thus penetrate crevices. The volatile hydrocarbon then evaporates, leaving the oil behind."

Later on... "Due to its lightness (i.e., low viscosity), WD-40 is not always the preferred oil for certain applications. Applications that require higher viscosity oils may use motor oils, while those requiring a mid-range oil could use honing oil."

[Larry]

Try a plastic putty knife or something plastic and slide it under gasket. That may help loosen it or show you it has been sealed in.

[JSeery]

My bet is it was leaking and someone put sealer around it to fix the problem. If all else fails you might remove it like you do other sealed windshields, with the wire you run around the edge. Might consider taking it by a windshield shop, they would have it out of there in a heartbeat!

[bill3337]

I wonder if you could thread a piece of piano wire through the seal to the inside and then cut it out, similar to what they do with the glued in windshield glass in the newer cars? Once out, clean it up and replace.