The Ford Barn

Smitty · 06-06-2010, 08:12 PM

I replaced the windshield hinge gasket in my 1930 coupe. I now find the lower windshield rubber hangs up on the gas filler cap and I am unable to completely close the windshield.
This is the hinge gasket that the Model A dealers sell.
Any thoughts?

Thanks, Steve

Tom Wesenberg · 06-06-2010, 08:18 PM

Don't use it. It's been determined that originally it was only a strip similar to cloth friction tape.

Smitty · 06-06-2010, 08:42 PM

Tom,

I had removed it once before and put a piece of electrical tape in its place.
Windshield closed ok, only problem is the windshield rattles like crazy when it is open(header is not in great shape however, not all screws will tighten).
Don't want to replace the header until I restore the body.

Steve

30cabriolet · 06-07-2010, 06:27 AM

Is there anything in the judging standards about this? I was looking at a Cabriolet this weekend and the window frame did not fit properly; someone else pointed out that the gasket was wrong and told us the same thing Tom did. How long has everybody been using the wrong gasket and why sell it if it is not right?

Marco Tahtaras · 06-07-2010, 10:48 AM

A rubber type upper weatherstrip was used on all '30-31 models. It's not uncommon to have fit problems with wooden headers, both new and old. With old headers (partially rotted) the windshield doesn't always pull up tight. With new header installations the metal face cover is often installed too low due to unresolved fit issues.

'30-31 headers are made with upper and lower sections connected by three filler blocks. The leaves a space between the sections which should be accessible if you remove the rear view mirror and interior trim panel. While less than ideal, I'll bet you could sneak a few hex nuts in there and replace a few of the windshield wood screws with machine screws and nuts to pull the windshield up tighter. THIS IS AN ASSUMPTION on my part.

Smitty · 06-07-2010, 01:04 PM

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That is interesting, I found my header with the 3 filler blocks and was under the assumption that it had at one time been replaced.
Some of the screws don't hold well, I was thinking about the possibility of using nuts and bolts...
That rubber gasket that the Model A suppliers sell is the correct one for the car? I know that I need to replace the header but don't want to get into that until I am ready to restore the body.

Steve

Mike in NRN IN · 06-07-2010, 05:42 PM

I had a similar problem, and was able to partially resolve it using the following process...

1) remove the windshield.

2) Select dowel rod and a Forstner drill bit of the same size, I used 3/8" dowel and bit.

3) Drill out the header to a depth of about 1 1/2" (be careful on the ends, there is not much wood there!)

4) Mix up epoxy (I used JB Weld) and plug the hole with the dowel and an ample amount of JB Weld.

5) After this has cured, drill a pilot hole in the middle of the dowel to provide bite for the screws, be sure to use FLAT HEAD screws - I did find some Phillips head screws that were easier to tighten using a brace and bit.

6) I was able to gain the needed space to open and close my windshield with an original style gas lid, the reproduction lids would not allow the windshield to swing open all the way.

Most importantly, I think this is a two person job. I tried a number of times to put this together by myself, but I could not get every thing to line up properly. One person to hold the windshield in place, propped up on a box and it allowed me to maneuver the drill/brace & bit more easily.

06-06-2010, 08:12 PM	#1
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boston North Shore Posts: 752	Windshield Hinge Gasket I replaced the windshield hinge gasket in my 1930 coupe. I now find the lower windshield rubber hangs up on the gas filler cap and I am unable to completely close the windshield. This is the hinge gasket that the Model A dealers sell. Any thoughts? Thanks, Steve

06-06-2010, 08:18 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Windshield Hinge Gasket Don't use it. It's been determined that originally it was only a strip similar to cloth friction tape.

06-06-2010, 08:42 PM	#3
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boston North Shore Posts: 752	Re: Windshield Hinge Gasket Tom, I had removed it once before and put a piece of electrical tape in its place. Windshield closed ok, only problem is the windshield rattles like crazy when it is open(header is not in great shape however, not all screws will tighten). Don't want to replace the header until I restore the body. Steve

06-07-2010, 06:27 AM	#4
30cabriolet Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 130	Re: Windshield Hinge Gasket Is there anything in the judging standards about this? I was looking at a Cabriolet this weekend and the window frame did not fit properly; someone else pointed out that the gasket was wrong and told us the same thing Tom did. How long has everybody been using the wrong gasket and why sell it if it is not right?

06-07-2010, 10:48 AM	#5
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: Windshield Hinge Gasket A rubber type upper weatherstrip was used on all '30-31 models. It's not uncommon to have fit problems with wooden headers, both new and old. With old headers (partially rotted) the windshield doesn't always pull up tight. With new header installations the metal face cover is often installed too low due to unresolved fit issues. '30-31 headers are made with upper and lower sections connected by three filler blocks. The leaves a space between the sections which should be accessible if you remove the rear view mirror and interior trim panel. While less than ideal, I'll bet you could sneak a few hex nuts in there and replace a few of the windshield wood screws with machine screws and nuts to pull the windshield up tighter. THIS IS AN ASSUMPTION on my part. __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

06-07-2010, 01:04 PM	#6
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boston North Shore Posts: 752	Re: Windshield Hinge Gasket Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That is interesting, I found my header with the 3 filler blocks and was under the assumption that it had at one time been replaced. Some of the screws don't hold well, I was thinking about the possibility of using nuts and bolts... That rubber gasket that the Model A suppliers sell is the correct one for the car? I know that I need to replace the header but don't want to get into that until I am ready to restore the body. Steve

06-07-2010, 05:42 PM	#7
Mike in NRN IN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 208	Re: Windshield Hinge Gasket I had a similar problem, and was able to partially resolve it using the following process... 1) remove the windshield. 2) Select dowel rod and a Forstner drill bit of the same size, I used 3/8" dowel and bit. 3) Drill out the header to a depth of about 1 1/2" (be careful on the ends, there is not much wood there!) 4) Mix up epoxy (I used JB Weld) and plug the hole with the dowel and an ample amount of JB Weld. 5) After this has cured, drill a pilot hole in the middle of the dowel to provide bite for the screws, be sure to use FLAT HEAD screws - I did find some Phillips head screws that were easier to tighten using a brace and bit. 6) I was able to gain the needed space to open and close my windshield with an original style gas lid, the reproduction lids would not allow the windshield to swing open all the way. Most importantly, I think this is a two person job. I tried a number of times to put this together by myself, but I could not get every thing to line up properly. One person to hold the windshield in place, propped up on a box and it allowed me to maneuver the drill/brace & bit more easily.