Removing window screws 1977 Boler

[MandyP]

Just bought a Boler, and couldn't be more thrilled! We just had a few days of rain, and it appears I have a minor leak around both of my jalousie windows. The screws holding the window in were loose, so I tightened them up for now, but if really like to take the windows out and reseal them properly with fresh butyl tape. I'm just not sure how to get the screws out on the side by the closet. There is only about an inch of space between the closet and the window. Any suggestions for getting them out, and ultimately getting them back in properly?

Hopefully the next steps of this project aren't as complicated as step one, "remove the screws on the side of the windows." Lol.

[Uncle Cereal]

Mandy,

Spent the last six or seven months working on my 1975 Boler. I'm not a pro but know my windows for having taken them apart a few times.

When I removed the black screw cover strips, I discovered that each of my double jalousie window was held by over thirty rivets. THAT was the fun part... I removed the 1/8" rivets with a 5/32" bit if I remember correctly. Then, I decided to take the window all apart by carefully removing the four vertical screws on the top part and the four vertical screws on the bottom part. You'll figure out the rest.

It took me a while to refine my rivet-removal technique. I'm very good at it now, even if I say so myself... To add to my fun, some of the rivets were steel instead of aluminum. And some of the screws that help the window parts together broke when I tried to unscrew them. I had to pry the little slot open and force them out before bending the frame in it's original position.

So if you decide that it's really what you need to do (and It might very well be), don't expect to do this job during the comercial breaks of your favorite sitcom or soap opera... . At this point in camping season, I would probably try to make things work and redo the windows this fall or this winter.

If you search the threads I started on this forum, you should find some titles with the rivet word in them. You'll find out about my frustrations and how I got be "with a little help from my (fgrv forum) friends".

I hope this helps.

[MandyP]

Thirty rivets? Yikes! Good to know. Funny how that didn't get mentioned elsewhere in my readings. Thanks for the heads up, I'll definitely consider the resealing as a weekend project if the simple screw tightening doesn't do the trick. Thanks for your advice.

[Ian G.]

There will be a few screws on the inside which probably just hold the trim on the inside. As mentioned the windows are either screwed in or riveted in from the outside. The rivets use a backing washer against the fibreglass shell. If the windows are screwed in then a removable wood frame is used around the window which will come off as soon as all the outside window screws are removed, the inside screws usually just hold an aluminum trip over the wood frame. Pull off the black vinyl moulding around the outside of the window and behind it you will see either screws or rivets. Check the wood frame carefully for deterioration or rot, you want the screws holding securely when reinstalling the window, it is easy to replace

[Borden]

Our radius hehr windows have only screws. Wish they had used anti seze as stainless into aluminum.
Hopefully you're adventure into window rebuilding goes well
I'm using only water proff closed end marine pop rivets in our repairs just want to have no future leaks
Ian G is an expert at your type of windows