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 |
Windshield glass
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 |
Re: Windshield glass
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.
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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 |
Re: Windshield glass
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.
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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
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. |
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 |
Re: Windshield glass
@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. |
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6508 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Windshield glass
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 |
Re: Windshield glass
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! |
ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1166 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: Windshield glass
Quote: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 (192 posts) Registered: 12/29/2007 02:53PM Main British Car: '73 TR 6 '97 Explorer 5.0 |
Re: Windshield glass
"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 (6508 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Windshield glass
There oughta be a song. Just sayin...
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 |
Re: Windshield glass
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. |
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BMC Brian Mc Cullough Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA (384 posts) Registered: 10/30/2007 02:27AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi |
Re: Windshield glass
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 |
Re: Windshield glass
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. |
MG four six eight Bill Jacobson Wa state (326 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 02:15AM Main British Car: 73 MGB Buick 215, Eaton/GM supercharger |
Re: Windshield glass
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 (6508 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Windshield glass
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 |