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MG MGB Technical - Windshield fit-up to frame on roadster

Spent the better part of 3 hours today trying to install windshield glass into a roadster windshield frame. I am helping a friend of mine with this effort (Chris of Octarine, you know him, he is Bob from Seal Beach).

I have fit several roadster windshields in the past and beyond expecting the usual PITA of doing this, did not expect any problems. Well, it got beyond the PITA stage and the side frames were not sealing right, no matter what I did. Finally, I got the bright idea to put the frame together just by itself and then lay the windshield glass on the assembled frame to check if the glass was correctly sized. Lo and behold, it appears that while the glass is sized correctly top to bottom, it appears to be 3/8" to 1/2" too short on the side to side dimension. Basically, when the glass is layed on the assembled frame, there is overlap on the top and bottom part of the frame, but no overlap on the sides.

The reason I did the dry fit measurement was that when I was fitting the glass and sealing strip to the frame parts, I could not get the side frames to seat on the glass, not matter what I did. That is what lead me to believe that the glass was undersize. BTW, the frame fits up fine when I dry assembled it.

The windshield glass was bought from Vic-Brit and is supposedly the correct glass for a 74 roadster. One thing I noticed was that the glass had shallow cut-outs in the corners to help clear the brackets, but I have never seen any other mgb roadster windshield glass with these cut-outs. These cut-outs did not seat in the sealing rubber when I was trying to put the frame together and there would be gaps if I had completed the assembly of the frame.

So, here are some questions I hope you guys can help out with:

1) Has anyone had problems with the Vic-Brit glass before? I have always used Moss glass and never had a fit up problem, but before Bob spends twice as much for the glass, he wants to get some feedback.

2) Has anyone fit glass to a 74 roadster (or same series) lately and can you confirm if the glass was undersized on the side to side dimension and did it have the shallow cut-outs?

3) If the glass is sized correctly, any tips on making the seal work right? As it stands right now, even if I were to glue the seal to the glass, the glass would not be captured in the side channel frames and would basically hang in the rubber seal. I have never seen an MGB roadster windshield with this situation.
Ron Kluwe

Ron -

I just went through this the other week on my 72B - a total windshield frame rebuild.

The glass I got through Moss did not have any corner cut-outs as you describe and it fit prefectly.

Greg
Greg Smela

Did you contact Victoria British and tell them about your problem? And if there is a problem with the windshield will they replace it or refund your money. Am going to replace my windshield and have bought the rubber seal, notice that there are cut outs on the corners of it for the brackets. Was going to order a windshield from Victoria British for our 79, will wait and see how this problem pans out.
Kim Rutherford.
K Rutherford

Greg;

Thanks for the feedback. I told Bob that I have never seen cut-outs on the glass before and have always had good luck with the Moss glass.

Kim;

I told Bob to contact Vic-Brit and talk to them about the problem. My recommendation was for him to return the glass and if Vic-Brit did not have the correct glass, then to order from Moss. I have ordered parts from both Moss and Vic-Brit when I restored my own MGB and I have to say that about 50% of the parts I ordered from Vic-Brit did not fit up correctly or were just the plain wrong parts. I do have to say that Vic-Brit was very good about replacing parts or refunds, but it is still a pain to have to go through that.

My own feeling is that Moss is more committed to MGB's than Vic-Brit and has better quality and inventory control than Vic-Brit. Also, seeing that VB charges half the price for the glass as Moss does really leads me to wonder where the glass is being fabricated. Sometimes, the cheap deal isn't the best deal.
Ron Kluwe

Ron,

Have e-mailed Bob - there is some glass out there that is wrong - I think it is made in Sweden, does the VB glass have any makers mark?
Chris at Octarine Services

Attention all!

There are actually TWO types of glass out there - the early type fits ALL frames but the late type only fits late frames (I haven't got a cut over date but I guess rubber bumper).

Euro only make the late type glass which has cutouts at the ends and is shorter to fit the late frames.

Moss only list one part number so it is Russian roulette as to which one you get.

If you have a chrome bumper car then ask for glass that does not have the cutouts.

If you have a rubber bumper car then buy Euro glass.
Chris at Octarine Services

I'm fairly sure I've seen reference to a change in glass in Clausager somewhere, only one glass is referenced in the Parts Catalogue, and only one glazing rubber. The changes for RB do include a reference to a *frame* change, and there are no less than six part numbers for the complete frame in the catalogue, and seven different sets of right and left pillars.

One question, Chris, you say the early glass fits all frames but the later glass with the cut-outs only fits the later frames? Sounds illogical.
Paul Hunt

Uh.. I have a '77 RB frame on my '69 Roadie. It fit perfectly on the cowl. Does that mean that underneath that frame I have a "cut-out" glass? I had it replaced by a local auto glass company a few years ago (worth every penny, but they told me never to come back).

Luigi
Luigi

Paul,

The later frame is smaller but there is still enough space to fit the early glass - yes it is tight but it does go, as long as you have the correct seal.

Luigi,

You could have the early glass, which is why you were told not to come back - it is a swine to fit!
Chris at Octarine Services

With the knowledge from the treads, I have ordered a new windshield. Cleaned up the frame , and instead of taking it completley apart just took off the top section and eased the sides outwards. Glass came out easily,then removed the old glazing rubber, so plan to install the new glazing rubber first and then slip in the glass, then screw in the centre section. May have to let the rubber sit for a while to make sure it is properly seated. Does this sound too simplistic? We will see how it works. Haven't decided if I will use any sealant.
Kim Ruterford.
K Rutherford

Kim,

You will find the new rubber is too soft and the glass will not slide in easily without some form of lubricant.

I tape the rubber to the glass first and use a spray rubber lubricant on the outside to help the frame slide on easily.

Top then sides and finally the bottom frame.
Chris at Octarine Services

Chris, thanks for the heads up on the two types of glass. I knew something was not right with the glass size. Bob called me today (3/5) and has the new correct glass and we will install it tomorrow.
Ron Kluwe

Ordered a new MGB windshield glass from Victoria British. Spoke to a customer service rep, after reading Chris's thread, who said the windshield they are selling fits all MGBs, 62 -80, as I mentioned our car is a 79. The windshield arrived today very well packed, and am happy with it. But is the one with the corner cutouts. It will be fine for our car , but what if you had an earlier car, it seems they are assuming one size fits all. They also said it could be returned if not satisfactory. The rep also mentioned that to get this style winshield to fit earlier cars a thicker seal , which they sell is necessary.
Kim R.
K Rutherford

Kim,

Believe them if you want, but to ensure the least hassle, go get the right glass - one size DOES NOT fit all!!!

The thicker seals just break the glass - I know, been there, done that!
Chris at Octarine Services

Chris,
I agree with you, thats what I said, maybe you misunderstood me, they don't have it right,however am just repeating their explanation, so others will not have to have a problem hopefully.
Kim R.
K Rutherford

Ok, now everyone has me concerned. I have a windshield I bought new from VB 5 years ago (stalled rennovation) - will be installing it as I get the car back on the road this Spring. It does not look like it has any cutouts and I bought the rubber seal kit at the same time. I have a 1979 MGB - will I have problems with the fit or is the new windshield with the cutout something that has been done to make installing the windshield easier to do?

John
John Reynolds

Kim,

I didn't misunderstand and I wasn't arguing with you - just passing comment on suppliers who say things that they have no experience of actually doing!!

John,

It is possible to fit the early glass to the later frames BUT make sure the new seal you use has a deep channel with a flat bottom to it and has cutouts at the corners - the later seal has a convex bottom to the shallower channel and there is TOO much rubber to fit the glass into your late frame.
Chris at Octarine Services

Kim, thanks for the update about VB. I waqs going to purchase the windshield from them, but as I have a 1970 B, I'm thinking I would be better off going to Moss.

By the way Kim, do you want to do my windshield while you are at it. Most hated job.

Ken
70 B
Ken Harris

Chris,
Thanks for all the help, have got the windshield in the frame and on the car, might add that with the cutouts in the glass it doesn't make for much coverage with the seal.

Ken,
Happy to help, I'm only an hour and a halfs drive from you. Email me at home.

Kim R.
K Rutherford

This thread was discussed between 27/02/2005 and 06/03/2005

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