Steve,
Just to add some reinforcement to this method (which you obviously don't
need anymore!), my local MG parts supplier described the same process to me
as the only way to do this. I haven't had my car painted yet, so I haven't
had reason to try this approach. I'm glad to hear it works so well!
Scott McKorkle
Issaquah, WA
1978 MGB
----------
> From: Steve Bettencourt <steveb5815@edgenet.net>
> To: mgs@autox.team.net
> Subject: Solution to B windshield install
> Date: Wednesday, May 13, 1998 6:20 AM
>
> As the re assembly of my '79 B continues, I got to put the windshield
back
> on last weekend. I think I found an easier way to get it back on without
a
> lot of hassle.
>
> I coated the frame to body seal with dish soap and, as per the suggestion
> in the Moss catalog, I installed it with the center mount bolts to hold
it
> and let it sit overnight to compress the seals. Luckily my buddy (he has
a
> '78 B) showed up just in time to press down on the windshield so I could
> start the center bolts. A little bit of additional lube in the form of
> Windex was used along with my Snap-On hook tool to position the bottom
> seal. Excitement set in but I left it alone 'till the next day.
>
> Sunday morning I went out to the garage to finish the windshield
> installation. I was alone and it became extremely obvious that I would
not
> be able to move the frame enough to get the holes to line up properly.
> After about 5 minutes of moving the frame to see which way it had to go I
> noticed that there was clearance inside the top of the fender where the
> frame leg goes. I figured a well placed C clamp would move the leg in the
> direction I needed to, at least, get the lower bolt started.
>
> There is a sheet metal shield pop-riveted to cover the leg in that area
and
> this is what I clamped against (after a liberal application of masking
tape
> to avoid scratching the new paint). A light duty 4" clamp was used and
the
> lower hole lined up so well I could hand tighten it. A bit of rocking and
> re-application of the clamp lined up the top holes.
>
> As the dash is still in the car, I could see the top bolts would be a
> problem to install so I used a couple of spare heat treated header bolts
> (with 7/16" drive head).
>
> Both sides were a breeze to install. I wish I had thought of doing this
> back when I was struggling with my '74 in the '80s.
>
> Hope this helps someone else that has to do a solo windshield
installation.
> Steve Bettencourt
> '79 MGB
> Steve's HotRod World
> http://www3.edgenet.net/CruizinRI
|