View Full Version : Windshield posts twisted plus headlight switch knob
Blue Viking
10-19-2021, 04:55 PM
So I have started on fitting the windshield. My question is regarding the posts. They are reasonably parallel to the chassis plates where they mount lengthwise, and i will use shims to fill the small gap so as not to put any bending force on the posts. But they are not parallel to the chassis in the front to back direction. Unless I twist them in a vise, they have a slight toe out if that makes sense. Now if I go to tighten this upp it will put a twisting force on the windshield frame. I see only one way to mount them on the windshield frame with the four screws, but i am worried I am missing something here. Is this normal?
Also, I don't like the supplied headlight switch aluminium knob, so I'd like to replace it with a more period correct black plastic knob. Does anyone know what car the switch originally was ment for. If I found out I could just get a new knob, as they are easily replaced.
nuhale
10-19-2021, 05:12 PM
The windshield posts are a little toe'd . When you get it all together it will cause the upper bend over of the windshield upright to not be flush with the top edge of the windshield frame itself. It is common to have to bend these slightly to get a nice clean fit. Do this carefully and slowly. I could have done a better job on mine and now have a little chrome coming off the top corner. No one else will notice but me.
Pic before I bent them to be flush:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=138232&d=1606240848
The headlamp pull switch is a GM part. AC Delco D1588.
egchewy79
10-19-2021, 05:42 PM
The tops and bottom of the posts need to be bent/ twisted to get everything parallel. Put it in a vise wrapped in rags and use an adjustable wrench with padding to help twist the posts to get the right toe. Take your time with the screws as they can strip the brass insert easily
J R Jones
10-19-2021, 07:55 PM
I have had a similar issue with a wrecked windshield on my reso-rod / street rod. I straightened the frame and had it re-chromed (at great expense) but it would not assemble properly with the (flat) glass. I had to further massage the frame, fabricate a rubber gasket from bicycle inner tube and grind the glass edges to eliminate pre-load. My suggestion is to test fit the glass before frame corrections looking for additional conflict.
jim
GTBradley
10-19-2021, 09:45 PM
Increasing the rake back on the windscreen to accommodate the soft top can increase the misalignment. I started to modify my posts but decided against it for fear of flaking the chrome off. I found that if you clamp the the post before you put the screws in it will come very close to straight with the frame.
Ashley Hinton (https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/ah/plists/index.htm) in England sells the original knobs. I think they were used on Austin Healey.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=128657&d=1589990777
Blue Viking
10-20-2021, 05:48 AM
Thank you for the responses guys, very helpful as always. Got a good idea how to proceed now��
john42
10-20-2021, 06:40 AM
The tops and bottom of the posts need to be bent/ twisted to get everything parallel. Put it in a vise wrapped in rags and use an adjustable wrench with padding to help twist the posts to get the right toe. Take your time with the screws as they can strip the brass insert easily
Ya they are insanely easy to strip.
I purchases these: https://www.whitbymotorcars.com/product/ss-windshield-inserts/
for replacements. They work very well. Just installed them yesterday. The screws that came with the kit were slightly too short. A quick trip to home depot for longer screws and these worked very well. My windshield is very secure now! I was concerned with the brass that the windshield was going to end up in my face on the highway...
egchewy79
10-20-2021, 09:07 AM
Ya they are insanely easy to strip.
I purchases these: https://www.whitbymotorcars.com/product/ss-windshield-inserts/
for replacements. They work very well. Just installed them yesterday. The screws that came with the kit were slightly too short. A quick trip to home depot for longer screws and these worked very well. My windshield is very secure now! I was concerned with the brass that the windshield was going to end up in my face on the highway...
FWIW, I did swap out for the SS inserts and have an extra set of brass strips if anyone needs them for the price of shipping.
If you are careful you wouldn't strip those inserts. Takes a feeling for threading them in. I've truly had them apart and together again dozens of times.
I had my windshield on and off the car and removed the side bars too many times to count.
However, each time I went to 'adjust the side bars they were 'removed' from the windshield. I'd test fit them, go to the vice+ twist, bend, hammer (dead blow + rags and wood to protect) till I got them to fit. This took several days to complete. I was actually able to do this and get the lower portion that bolts up to the frame aligned without spacers and 'without any tension' being introduced. That top curve was a bear to get fitted properly without any gaps but I think I got it very close. The car is being painted now but when I get it back I'm going to disassemble the windshield again and add some RTV between the windshield and side bars to seal them against rain.
George
FWIW, I did swap out for the SS inserts and have an extra set of brass strips if anyone needs them for the price of shipping.
I sent you a PM regarding those brass strips. Just in case I do screw mine up sometime. :rolleyes:
George
rich grsc
10-20-2021, 06:39 PM
If you are careful you wouldn't strip those inserts. Takes a feeling for threading them in. I've truly had them apart and together again dozens of times.
I had my windshield on and off the car and removed the side bars too many times to count.
However, each time I went to 'adjust the side bars they were 'removed' from the windshield. I'd test fit them, go to the vice+ twist, bend, hammer (dead blow + rags and wood to protect) till I got them to fit. This took several days to complete. I was actually able to do this and get the lower portion that bolts up to the frame aligned without spacers and 'without any tension' being introduced. That top curve was a bear to get fitted properly without any gaps but I think I got it very close. The car is being painted now but when I get it back I'm going to disassemble the windshield again and add some RTV between the windshield and side bars to seal them against rain.
George
Stripped out brass rail is user error. The threads in brass are quite strong as long as you start the screws straight. Thread them in at an angle and they will get damaged, get them straight an you won't strip them with a Phillips screw driver