MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Windshield glass
Posted by: rficalora
Date: August 19, 2018 05:57PM

When I got back from Dayton, I checked Craigslist before ordering new glass from Moss. As luck would have it, someone locally was selling a new, still in the packaging, roadster, tinted, Triplex windshield. I got it for just $110!

I haven't compared the curvature or corners yet, but it is noticeably thicker than the one I had (PGW Solex) that got cracked so I measured to compare. The PGW one was 13/64 thick. The triplex measures 17/64 - a full 1/16 (30%) thicker. I guess there really is something to the Triplex's being better.


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: rficalora
Date: August 19, 2018 06:00PM

Old glass is out. Frame is cleaned up. Ready to put the new glass in, but too late to start now so will have to wait till this coming Saturday to do it. Gives me time to get some new stainless screws for it.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 19, 2018 08:24PM

Done that job twice in the last 28 years. Hope I never have to do it again!


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: rficalora
Date: August 19, 2018 09:09PM

It'll be twice in 2 yes for me. Windshield broke on the way to WV. Replaced it about a month before Dayton and it broke again on the way to Dayton! I 1/2 wonder if something is tweaked putting undue stress on the glass, but before WV, I had the same glass for 7yrs.


restorejag
Mike Alexander
Richmond Va.
(24 posts)

Registered:
02/19/2008 05:53PM

Main British Car:
1974 MGBGT 1958 MGA 1968 JAG XKE Ford 302 215 OLDS

Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: restorejag
Date: August 20, 2018 08:17AM

I had a friend how went through four MGB windshields .First was a crack from a stone,second was putting screw is wrong place,third was after job complete. He was trying to remove steering wheel when the puller
slipped hit the glass and broke. Forth was a success. Two weeks later he sold the car.


ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1165 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: August 20, 2018 09:13AM

Quote:
....wonder if something is tweaked putting undue stress on the glass....

Too much horsepower!


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: rficalora
Date: August 20, 2018 10:26AM

@Mike - I hope I have better luck than your buddy!

@Graham - if only! Both cracks occurred on the highway just cruising. Both were cheap glass; hopefully the Triplex will fit & hold up better.

While I'm at it, anyone know the thread size for the screws that hold the frame together? I meant to bring one with me so I could buy some on my way home tonight, but forgot them in the shop.



BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: August 20, 2018 12:14PM

Pretty sure it's 10-32 but it's been awhile.

The length of those screws is extremely critical. Best assemble it "dry" and make sure nothing sticks out then keep track of what goes where.

Jim


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: rficalora
Date: August 20, 2018 07:47PM

Quote:
Too much horsepower!

"Too much horsepower? What's that mean?
It's like too much money, there's no such thing
It's like a girl too pretty, with too much class
Being too lucky, a car too fast
No matter what you say... There's no such thing!


ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1165 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: August 20, 2018 09:28PM

Quote:
"Too much horsepower? What's that mean?
It's like too much money, there's no such thing
It's like a girl too pretty, with too much class
Being too lucky, a car too fast
No matter what you say... There's no such thing!
Hey.......just giving a possible cause for your cracked windshield problem. ....the other, would be operator error.
Pretty sure I have Triple X brand glass in my conversion - has lived for almost 17 years now but I cringe every time I clamp the soft or hard top - things seem overly tight.


IaTR6
Dennis Costello
Central Iowa
(191 posts)

Registered:
12/29/2007 02:53PM

Main British Car:
'73 TR 6 '97 Explorer 5.0

Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: IaTR6
Date: August 21, 2018 11:23AM

"I can't drive 55!,
When I drive that slow you know it's hard to steer,
and I can't get my car out of second gear,
What used to take 2 hours now takes all day, Huh!,
I can't drive 55!"
Well, I can, but mostly when my co-pilot is a certain someone!
Dennis


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: August 21, 2018 11:25AM

There oughta be a song. Just sayin...

Jim


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: Moderator
Date: August 22, 2018 01:10AM

thinner is lighter



;)


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 22, 2018 10:16AM

I suspect my current one is thinner & leaks water past the seal.


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: rficalora
Date: September 09, 2018 12:24AM

Put the windshield frame back together today. The curve of the triplex glass definitely fit my frame better than I recall the locally sourced prior windshield. And, the corners were all relieved to minimize the chance of the screws cracking the glass.

I did find two potential problems with my frame though. The bottom rail to side pillar brackets on my frame were rusted out so I'd made replacements. One of the screws on the bottom (on the side that's cracked twice now) was stripped out. And, I noticed the side pillars weren't snug to the bottom rail ends. So, I remade the brackets. Everything seems to fit better. Next up will be putting it back in the car, but that'll be a few weeks out.



BMC
Brian Mc Cullough
Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA
(383 posts)

Registered:
10/30/2007 02:27AM

Main British Car:
1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: BMC
Date: November 05, 2018 04:27PM

There are glass issues, frame issues, hardware poking into glass issues, not placed on the body correctly with too much gap between the body and the windscreen posts (needs more packing between and Less tight but tight enough it does not move when the top is snapped on it), the side windows on the doors need to not hit, the rubbers between the doors and the frame need to be not too hard or tight, the soft top should not take the strength of godzilla to snap in place, and other issues.

Total time to remove, rebuild and replace glass- a day to a day and a half.
What most insurance companies think they should pay: 2 hours and Less.
Chances of problems: high.
Want my job?

-BMC.


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: rficalora
Date: November 05, 2018 10:24PM

RE: "Want my job?"

Had your job on this one Brian... I do stuff like this myself. Windshield is back in and the car has been to Dayton OH and back with no issues this time.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: November 06, 2018 09:51AM

MGB has to be the worst windshield replacement job on the planet!


MG four six eight
Bill Jacobson
Wa state
(324 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 02:15AM

Main British Car:
73 MGB Buick 215, Eaton/GM supercharger

Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: MG four six eight
Date: November 06, 2018 12:40PM

Yeah for sure Carl.
I've changed a couple during restoration/builds over the years.
But the worst by far is when you have a perfectly good windshield and catch a large rock. Not because of the cost, but the fact that your taking a trip to hell to change it out.

Rob,
Good to know about the triplex glass, thanks!

Bill


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Windshield glass
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: November 06, 2018 12:45PM

Yeah, or you add an accessory and the tap goes, "tink" and now you have this itty bitty crack that you hope will behave but know it won't.

Jim
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