[Mgs] MGB windshield replacement near me

Mon Oct 14 11:50:20 MDT 2024

Ok, it may not be impossible to do this solo, but maybe it's best to look at whether it's a sensible idea, and I am coming to the conclusion that it's not a good idea for me to have a go at doing it by myself. 

I might be able to do it, but I would need the assistance of a knowledgeable, experienced person. I would be doing more heavy lifting and following directions. 

Some of these things you mention, I don't have the equipment. Don't have the tools. 

"Saint-like patience" Did you lapse into a foreign language for a moment? Afraid I don't grasp that concept lol. 

I guess the main idea here is that I don't want to do this. I would far rather pay a professional to do it even if it might double the price just because they have equipment and know-how that I don't. Also, I don't want the risk of causing a break or crack. If I can't take it somewhere, then at the least I need a helper who knows what they're doing and won't lead me astray or make an amateur mistake. I'm willing to pay for that, too. 

From: "Robert's New iPad" <mgbobh at gmail.com> 
To: wkilleffer at epbfi.com 
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2024 12:58:41 PM 
Subject: Re: [Mgs] MGB windshield replacement near me 

It’s not impossible to do by oneself. Frustrating? Absolutely. But not impossible. 
I think most go wrong, devolving into screaming, yelling and throwing things, is not planning it as a three-four day project with short days. It can be a crazy-making job, so plan to take a day’s break when one of those unreasonable complications develops. 
It’s essential to put penetrant onto the windscreen’s corner screws several days before you undertake the project.Soak and tap and even a little heat will help. 
When you extract them, put them into a map you drew on a piece of cardboard. They are of slightly different lengths. A long one in a hole intended for short screw will give a splendid diagonal crack into the new glass. 
Soap & water will work, but I think the product Ru-Glide works better. It comes in gallons, of which you will use less than a quart. Use plenty as you ease the rubbers into the channels. 
Most agree that MacDonald’s rubber is better in fit than anyone else’s. He’s not quick, though, as I am in ninth month of waiting for a GT back glass rubber. Call him; if it’s in stock, he will ship within a week. Worth the extra $$. 
When you get the four large coarse-thread fasteners out from under the dashboard, use a countersink to put a little taper to those holes. Clean the threads with a tap & die, and you might even grind a wee taper onto the bolts. It’s difficult to feel and see at the same time; give yourself this little advantage. If you get the forward two started, with a turn or two on the threads, then you can use a rope or ratchet strap to pull the windscreen back slightly, compressing the rubber flap and aligning the rear holes. It’s at this time you use a rope to pull that flap forward of the windscreen. Ru-Glide helps here too. It’s messy. 
Before socking up the four bolts, check alignment of back edge of windscreen to see that it is aligned with door vent windows as before disassembly. There is a bit of wiggle-jiggle to the four bolts; here’s where it is used. 
They did this at Abingdon in a minute, but they didn’t have the dashboard in their way and their rubber was pliable. 
Be of good cheer, with saint-like patience. They did it in 1974 and you can do it sixty years later. 
Bob 

On Oct 14, 2024, at 11:35 AM, wkilleffer at epbfi.com wrote: 

BQ_BEGIN

Hello everyone, 

There's a chance I have asked this question before, and if so, I must apologize. If I have asked it before, it was likely before the pandemic, and that slowed everything down. I've also had a few deaths in the family that slowed me down in other ways. But now I have time and money, so it's time for this long overdue task to be complete. 

My 1974 MGB is in dire need of a new windshield. It's to the point that I shouldn't drive it at night or at times when I'm driving into the sunrise or sunset. 

I realize this is no one's favorite MGB repair task, and I know better than to take it on by myself. Frankly, I would rather pay a knowledgeable person to do the job and not worry too much about it. I'm not involved with any clubs and while I do have a couple of "car guy" friends, this is outside of what I could enlist them to help with. I'm kind of a "lone wolf" in this regard, and most of the time, I don't mind. But then something like this comes up, and resources seem slim on the ground. 

Gang, I'm sick and tired of not being able to drive my car, and this is a major factor in what's keeping me from enjoying it. The brakes are great and I have the engine running better than it has almost since I got it. But if it's not safe to drive due to vision, then it just sits in the garage. 

I live in the Chattanooga, Tennessee USA metro area, and know that none of the "chain store" glass places are going to be up for something like this. I'm not sure there's still a local glass shop around here or not. There is a shop not too far from here which specializes in British car work and restoration, but they haven't returned my calls. I may try them again this week now that the local show is over, but they may not want to do this kind of work. 

This is doubly frustrating now that I have the money, but can't find someone to do the work. 

Any thoughts, or anyone nearby who knows the scene better than I do? 

Thank you, 
-Bill 
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