My 71 RS / SS needs surgury around the rear window. What is the best way to remove the glass without damaging it??

Very carefully!

Not sure about the trim involved on yours but there are a couple different style tools for cutting the seal under the glass.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=2006&itemType=PRODUCT

or

http://www.med-worldwide.com/BT-400140.html

I used one like the second, but yes be very careful.

Get some stiff steel wire from the hardware store. Push one end of the wire through the sealant, so the wire is both inside and outside the car. Wrap the ends of the wire around a couple peices of anything, then you and a bud, one inside and one out, can saw thru the sealant with the wire.

Then just lift out the glass.

Get some stiff steel wire from the hardware store. Push one end of the wire through the sealant, so the wire is both inside and outside the car. Wrap the ends of the wire around a couple peices of anything, then you and a bud, one inside and one out, can saw thru the sealant with the wire.

Then just lift out the glass.

The soft utility wire will likely break. Piano wire works great though, or you can use the tool with the blade and pull handle that's made for this.

If you're truly concerned about the glass and what to save it, get a pro to come out and remove it for you.
They have the tools and 'know-how' to get it out in one piece if possible.
The cost is ninimal usually for this service. You may even be able to negotiate a rate to remove it and reinstall later.

If you're serious about doing it yourself - buy the pull-blade type tool and use it to cut throught the sealant as best you can, then use a small dia. wire like piano wire to go around opening between the glass and frame to make sure it is fully loosened and cut through, then have a buddy on the inside (with safety glasses!) slowly push the window out from inside while you ( and extra help if you can find it) grap it and move it away from the car.
If so much as one little area doesn't get cut through and you start to pry it up - it will break ...

I've seen the pro's break glass trying to get it out. Thanks for all the good ideas. It sounds like whether you buy the kit with wire from Eastwood or get strong piano wire locally, some wire and a friend are the only way to go.
You know what I love best about this site; when a few gearheads agree on the same way to do something it results in 'instant confidence'. I love when you guys agree on something. I have been a motorhead for over 30 years and there is always someone with a 'better idea' on how to do something that scews with your approach. Thanks, (off to the garage to play with the toys)

The wire worked for me and I did it alone, I just used a longer piece.

John

Yeah, the wire trick here. Just take your sweet time. No rush when it comes to the window.

Used the wire here and it worked, on the backlite but I lost the windshield be real carefull in the corners it only takes one snag on the glass. After that I realized I could have just used a brick! LOL. Good thing it was not a perferct condition windshield (Attempt to make myself feel better about it). :clonk:

Windshield are very cheap and there is nothing worse than driving around in a car with pitted glass. Unless money is very tight or you just want to keep the date coded glass, get it replaced, you'll be glad you did. We pay less than $250 for glass and installation around here, is it that much higher else where?

Be careful after you get it out too. I pulled the windshield on my '68 only to crack it cleaning the butyl off with a razor blade. It doesn't take much pressure at all. I bought one locally for $103 and installed it with no problems though.