Windshield Install/Remove/Clips/Details

I have searched the forums looking for more information on installing a windshield in a 70 Plymouth Duster and this was one of the better threads that I found. This thread started 11 years ago and was wondering if anyone had more experience they could provide

My problem:
1. I have a precision gasket and was having problems with installing the trim so I read at the beginning of the thread about cutting the tab/strip on the bottom of the gasket off, which I did. After reading farther it looks like I should have used that tab as a lock strip in the center bottom of the gasket and lockstep the rest of the way (from the bottom corner around the top to the other bottom corner). I have lockstrip all the way around currently.

2. I cannot get the trim, to snap into the clips. I bought a set of new clips off eBay for a Duster. The clips seem to be the same size as the ones that came off the car with 5 longer ones and the other shorter. I did have to bend some of the clips, especially on the A pillars so that there was a little gap where the trim would be able to go into (this probably should have been a sign but it wasn't at the time).

Do I need to get a new gasket and start over (it doesn't seem like the bottom trim fits as tight as it should (assuming this is what that tab is there in the first place)? If so what brand gasket do I want to use? Assuming I should get new clips, if so what brand works with whatever windshield gasket? Finally how do I get all of the black gooey, non hardening sealant out of there if I do need to start over with a new gasket? That stuff is awful and gets on everything. Also is there a good trim removal tool out there because it is a pain to remove once it clips into place.

Thanks I am assuming that I am not the only one that has run across this problem and ironically the windshield is in place and seems to be watertight but I need to be able to get the moulding on.