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Remember my saying that this build has been fighting me all the way. Well Sunday I went and checked the fit for the windshield frame to the body. The fiberglass portion that the windshield frame bolts to is 41 inches across from body fiberglass on right side to left side. The windshield frame posts that bolt to the body measures 44 inches across (inside diameter). This make me 1-1/2 to long on each side. So I guess I’ll have to cut the aluminum frame to fit and have a welder reattach the frame pieces. I’m thinking of making the cut on the driver’s side top corner and shortening it there. And no…I wont have to cut the bottom frame. It’s the correct size. Go figure. Do you folks have any other suggestions for a place to make the cut? Looks-wise is the reason I chose the corner. I think it would ruin the appearance if I cut it in the center. MG Magic has a frame but it costs over $200. Easier and less expensive with less wait time to just have it cut and rewelded locally. Any input is appreciated.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackIt’s crazy you have to do this!
I agree a corner is the place to cut. Just a thought, you might want to cut both corners so the overall appearance of the frame is consistent.Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Yeah I was thinking along those lines myself. Starting to think I should name my TD FrankenTD.
Still have to order the carpet kit from MG Magic. I may just order the frame along with the carpet kit if the cost of cutting and welding will be close to a wash. My understanding is it takes a separate skill set to weld aluminum.Also a while back, one member had an unused BCW frame in the kit parts for sale forum. I sent that person a PM to see if it is still available. Would a BCW frame fit a fibefab/cmc kit?Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackLook around. I might grab some of these Alumiweld rods just on general principle.
I believe that one of our Speedster pals might have something to do with this company.
BTW, I don’t understand what you’re saying in your first post. Is the bottom windshield bracket too long, or isn’t it? Because if you make the top bracket shorter, and leave the bottom alone, that will make the ends of the side brackets further apart on the bottom. That’s exactly what you don’t want.
So I’m obviously not understanding your problem, which is why you need to post photos.
The bottom windshield frame is the correct length. It’s the top frame that is too wide. I don’t think the windshield is supposed to stick out 1 1/2 inch from the body on each side. I’ll post some photos after I get home from work.
newkitman2013-03-12 11:58:30
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackYou will find that the TD windshield is slightly trapezoidal–a little more than 90 degrees on the top angles. But not much. Square is probably OK. If it’s upside-down trapezoidal–less than 90 degrees on the top, THEN you’ve got to cut.
I’d mock it up with the side rails first. They’ll need to be straight, and the distance between them on the bottom (along the scuttle) and the top will tell you how long those pieces will need to be.
My windshield is screwed together with brackets, by the way. I think the originals were too. So cutting the long pieces should not be that big of a deal.
Ed. My windshield frame is two piece. The bottom has to be cafrefully bent to fit the contour of the glass and the top (inverted “U”) is bolted to the body with two bolts. The seal holds everything in place until its bolted to the body. Check out the CMC Assembly manual in the Download Manuals tab. My windshield install is on pages 52 and 53. Also…my top frame does not contain the construction screw nor does it have any pre-drilled and countersunk holes.newkitman2013-03-12 13:24:00
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackAllen,
Just took a look at the CMC manual. Exactly the same as my Duchess.Ed is right about the trapezoidal frame. Glass and frame are slightly narrower at the top then the bottom. Emphasis on SLIGHTLY.Bottom of the glass and the bottom bar of the frame should be slightly curved.I really cannot understand how the frame with your kit could be so far off. Unless…the wrong frame was included. CMC…could lit possibly be a Gazelle frame?PMOSSBERG2013-03-12 14:51:39
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
One other thing, the seal does NOT “hold everything in place”
Once you slide the glass in, you slide the lower part of the frame in, and two small screws go through the frame “legs” or side-bars, into the bottom bar. It’s shown in the CMC manual as the “construction screw”PMOSSBERG2013-03-12 14:52:02
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
For what it’s worth, the Classic Roadsters manual shows the windshield assembly in far greater detail than your CMC manual.
Take a look at Classic Roadsters Part IV – Body and Interior, the first few pages of the download.PMOSSBERG2013-03-12 14:54:19
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Paul does the Duchess top frame have the construction screw and is it pre-drilled? Mine is not.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackYes. No.
Yes, it has the screw.No, the hole was not predrilled.I’m really wondering it, somehow, a Gazelle frame made it into your kit. I just took a look at some pictures. The Gazelle cowl is completely flat across the top. And of course the bottom bar on the frame is straight. It looks wider than a TD too.Do you have the windshield glass? Does it fit the frame? is it straight on the bottom? Or does it have a slight curve to match your cowl?PMOSSBERG2013-03-12 14:50:32
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
To clarify that comment, I am wondering if you have the “U” part of the frame (the one piece top and sides) from a Gazelle, and the proper lower bar from a TD kit.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Ed, what do you mean your frame is “screwed together”?
Trying to recall TDs I’ve seen in person. And looking at pictures this afternoon.It sure looks like the top cross bar and sides are one long piece, bent at the upper corners.Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
I recently finished my Fiberfab Ford kit. The U frame for the windshield was wider on the bottom, as is yours’ and had no predrilled construction or countersunk holes in the frame. I found that the width of the frame at the top matched the windshield glass with its gasket. To complete the assembly I had to compress the sides about 1.5″ each side with ratchet straps to pull them in against the windshield and the bottom windshield frame (which was the correct width). When the sides were pulled in, the top of the frame bowed up in the middle. So I took it all apart and bent a reverse bow in the top section so that it would match the top of the glass when the sides of the frame were pulled in against the glass. I tried to bend the corners of the frame to 90 degrees but it looked like the frame might fracture if I applied enough force to make the bend sharper.
I drilled the construction holes that allow attachment of the bottom frame after the frame, glass and gasket were held together with straps. I bent the bottom frame to get the best fit between windshield glass and the cowl of the main body.A very pains-taking process, I’m guessing about 12 hrs total.Don Loveless
Ford Pinto Fiberfab
Rochester, MIThanks Paul, and Don. Looks like you guys have the relevant info here.
To Paul’s question: the BCW windshield fram comes apart at the corners. There are steel L brackets at the top edges, four holes in them, and small, fine-thread screws go through the aluminum outer frame and into those brackets to attach the pieces together. On the bottom it’s got no bracket but some kind of wood screw. No kidding. I believe the corners were pre-mitered at the factory.
I believe the MGs were put together with brackets, though their frames are chromed. The reason they have to come apart is to run the wire for the windshield wiper motor. It may be that, on the originals, the top and sides are all of a piece, and just the bottom comes off.
Here’s the post where I took mine apart & saw how it was done.
I think DonsMG figured it out. Now here’s the photos of my windshield setup (if the post that is).
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackMy God…shorts and sandals…how cruel !!!
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"From frosty Michigan, I was thinking exactly the same as you Bill.
O well summer’s coming in a couple months.Don Loveless
Ford Pinto Fiberfab
Rochester, MIGonna be cold tomorrow though…61 and windy. Had to put the body back in my portable garage for tomorrow.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackI agree. Allen, how could you be so cruel? Especially when you are asking for help!!!
But being the kinda guys we are, we continue to help despite rubbing in your shorts and sandals weather.
Don got it right. And looking at your pictures, I think you have all the right parts Allen. For the windshield that is. Fit the gasket, fit the glass, slide the lower bar onto the glass and start pulling the frame in to tighten it all up. I suspect it will all come together properly.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Thanks everyone for the thoughts and excellent assistance. Don did have it right. Interestingly enough, folded in the cardboard that protected the glass was the instructions for assembling and installing the windshield. Nothing about the construction screw but the kit assembly manual does have it.
As for the shorts and sandals weather, well wait till summer gets here. I’ll be wishing I was up in your comfort zone. Too hot and humid down here in the summer.newkitman2013-03-13 07:38:58
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackIs there a way I could get a traced outline of just the windshield glass? I have a FiberFab MiGi II kit. Butcher paper from a meat counter should be large enough. Newspaper taped together would work too.
I have a kit that is missing the glass so I will need to get one cut locally. A pattern would really help get the size and shape right.Sure thing. PM me your address and I’ll send you the cardboard from my windshield glass for your template.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackAnother happy ending!
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
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