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MG TD TF 1500 - Need Wind-Screen/Shield Help

In the move from PA to WI back in 81' the Wind-shield/Screem was cracked by the movers. Around 84' we took it to a local who replaced the broken part. We never did a through examination of the replacement except to note that a lot of RTV was involved.
I noted a year or so ago, when I went to clean up the RTV that there were gaps in the fit of the glass to the frame.

I now have everything apart. Originally in preparation to install a new WW motor feed. I had to destroy the bottom brackets and new ones are on order from Moss. everything else (except screws) is usable.
The glass has started to delaminate in some areas. In test fitting the glass I dont believe that it will fit. It appears to be two narrow. (Vertical Dimension).
It appears the installer took a substantial amount off the top of the glass around the WW fasteners.
I am attaching a pix. I have tried to Photoshop it to enhance the glass edge by increasing contrast.
It is possible to see that the top edge is not straight and there are large gaps. At this point the glass just touches the frames at the vertical supports.

If I bury the glass so the cutouts touch the spacers for the WW The bottom rail will not touch the glass.

Questions.
Should the top have been cut back at all?
Should it be relatively straight?
What is the correct height of the glass in the middle and ends of the Windshield?

Finally, can anyone supply a take off or some dimensions?

Thanks for your help.

Jim B.


JA Benjamin

Jim,
There are supposed to be cut outs on the top similar to yours. your windshield looks too short. A local glass shop can Inexpensively cut the glass for you, if they have a pattern. I know Abingdon Spares stocked windshields. There are two windshields for the TD, early and late. They moved the wiper motor to the center of the windshield, and the earlier and late windshields are not intechangable. From The Frame Up has (had) windshields with the proper markings on them, as per original. Perhaps one of our members has a template they could mail you?
-David
D. Sander

I may have my original glass in the attic, will try to look in the next few days. David is right-there are cutouts in the top to clear the through screws and spacers. George
George Butz

Jim,
A good glass shop should be able to notch it instead of cutting the long arcs. I have a grinder for stained glass that is water cooled and will grind regular glass as long as you take it easy and not let the glass get too hot.
Richard Taylor TD3983

Thanks all.
Dave I checked FTFU. they do have a replacement glass for $160. I will see where this thread goes.
The versions with the "proper" markings are not available for the TD. The have them for the TA, TB, and TC.
George, thanks
Rich,
I also have such a grinder, or to be correct, my wife does.
She also has several diamond bladed jig saws.
I could modify a glass if needed.

Jim b.
JA Benjamin

I just heard back from Doug Pelton at "From the Frame up"

I had sent this inquiry about the TD windshield.

I am interested in obtaining a replacement windshield glass. Your catalogue # CR-304

I have three questions however.

1) What is the thickness of the glass?

The old glass was just shy of ¼” I understand that the newer glass is metric around 5 mm or about 0.197”. This leads to issues with the packing being too thin.

2) How are the reliefs for the Windshield Wiper motor arranged? Early TD’s had the motor mounted on the Right side and had a pivot on the left side blade. Later cars had a center mounted motor and two pivots at the WW blades. Have you “Harmonized” the reliefs or do you have both an early/late version? I have an early arraignment.

3) Is the glass clear? Modern glasses tend to be slightly tinted. The TD’s were clear. I would not care for a tinted replacement.

Doug Responded;

Hi Jim,

I have been closed for a week, attending our GoF event. Today getting caught up.

I just added the TD glass to my catalog. The glass i have is 1/4", clear, no tint or logos. I would need a pattern to duplicate the early TD glass but have the later profile. If you can send an exact template on paper I could provide the glass. I will also need your personal info, are we shipping within the US or elsewhere?

Thank you for your inquiry. Best regards,

Now I dont have a pattern since that original glass was lost aroung 1982 in the illfated attempt to replace it. Also the hole reliefs are really butchered up.

I would however think that if the reliefs for the center hole triplet, where the later WW Motor mounts were left out then the glass would fit the earlier TD just fine.

CAN ANY ONE CONFIRM THIS?

Thanks

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

I sell kits for etching the proper "Triplex Toughened" logo onto T-type and earlier windscreens. Contact me offline at lew (at) roundaboutmanor (dot) com if you are interested. The kit includes two masks (including the date code dots), acid etching cream, and instructions. $35 plus postage.
Lew Palmer

If anyone has a pattern for an early RHD TD screen I would be very interested. Is it just a case of one early screen fits both RHD & LHD & flip it?

My top rail is at the platers so I can't check it out. Maybe they are mirror opposites of each other?

Anybody in Oz supply the gear to acid etch the logo?

Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Thanks Lew but first I need either a template or to know if the later template less the center relief will work.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

I just rebuilt my TF windshield. Bought new glass locally, using my old one as a pattern. I might be interested in Lew's logo, to add a nice touch. Did the TF glass come with any marking on it? I found nothing on my old glass.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

Hi Lew,

Tried to email you using the email address you posted. No go. I'm interested in the kits you sell for etching the proper "Triplex Toughened" logo onto TD RHD windscreens. As you describe the kit, it includes two masks (including the date code dots), acid etching cream, and instructions. $35 plus postage? Sounds great as nobody in Oz has responded. My first problem however is to get hold of a template.

When I took the screen apart the non original glass was just kinda squeezed into place with the rubber strip squashed out everywhere & left untrimmed. The glass had no cutouts for the top rail. I thought I would dry assemble the frame (not using the new Moss top corner pieces cause they are so far out as to be totally bloody useless!. Not just the alignment of the 2BA threads with the holes in my existing uprights/side frames, but also the distance between the hood/bonnet post & the corner. They might as well have been in the next paddock!) I had the originals rechromed after banging the posts back into shape.

Then I planned to make a ribbed ( box) cardboard template with checkouts for the motor mount, screws etc, with a bit of play all round. Off to a glazier & Bob's your uncle.

The date code dots? What's that all about? Where do they fit on the screen? Any idea of the cost of postage to Sydney Australia? I can send you Ozzie or Yankee $'s in a greeting card type envelope if that works for you.

Thanks Lew
Cheers
Peter
TD 5801
P Hehir

I forgot to mention. The glass I took out was 1/4" clear laminated. Been there since the mid sixties.
David, do you or anyone else happen to know if laminated is the go these days or is it toughened?, or safety glass?. Its obviously not float.
Regards
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

The date code dots? What's that all about? Where do they fit on the screen?

Cheers
Peter
TD 5801

Peter;
This my help wit your questions about the date code and dots.

http://fromtheframeup.com/uploads/TT_CR302_Triplex_Glass_History_T_Series.pdf


Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Thanks Jim. And Doug from "The Frame Up". That is a great read! One more article on originality for my collection. Thus far this thread has been really helpful. Still a bit hazy on the laminated/toughened etc question as it applies to OZ. The correct location of the dots for a 1st Feb 1951 TD is also bending my head somewhat.
Keep it coming.
Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Windshield glass has to have a membrane inside of it and is not like the side and back glass that crumbles. Windshield glass still breaks like regular glass but the membrane keeps it in tact.

If it was tempered glass like the side and rear then when a rock hit your windshield it would spray you with glass pellets or also potentially obstruct your vision.

Chris Couper

Jim B,

If you are still in need of a windscreen glass template, I have the original glass from TD 12947 out of the frame and can make one. I also have a number of pictures taken that shows the depth of the relief. Just let me know what you need at patrick dot earles at comcast dot net.

Patrick

Patrick Earles

An example of detailed cutout depth picture.

Patrick Earles

Thank you Patrick. I would like a template very much.
Send a PM to me and I will respond with my address.

eeengineer-at-verizon-dot-net

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

When you fit the glass into the frame don't use a rubber gasket use black silicone sealant instead. I masked the screen and frame with tape 'cause the sealant is messy. Using the rubber gasket is a horrendous job and there is a serious risk of cracking the glass or twisting the frame.

Jan T
J Targosz

The address I posted is correct. Of course you neet to replace the (at) with @ and (dot) with .

I have 3 kits ready to go should anyone need one.

Regarding the date code: Each windscreen on the T-types had a logo etched along with dots above and below the logo itself, which indicate the quarter and year the glass was manufactured. Usually this is the same quarter the car was manufactured. The instructions I provide show how to place the dots so they correctly indicate the date of manufacture. It is a second step in the etching process but is quite easily done.
Lew Palmer

Jim,

If Patrick is willing to make a template, it will be perfect. He doesn't do anything half-way.

Warmly,
Dave
Dave Braun

Hi Lew.

Thanks. I'll take a kit & will try email you again with my details. The pics I've seen so far suggest the glass is "waisted" not "cutout", "notched" or "checked out". Anyone shed any light on this? Still planning to reassemble the frame without the glass using a piece of stiff cardboard trimmed to fit, unless anyone sees a flaw with this approach?
Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 31/10/2013 and 07/11/2013

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