Center windshield bracket, needed???

jimw427 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 04:44 AM

I am in the process of finishing my build, and looking through an older Finish Line book and saw a small bracket that mounts to the center of the windshield to the body. Mine never came with one that I saw, contacted Finish Line to see if they still offered them since it was not on their web site, and they don't.

My questions is, is it needed? I looked through several magazines and pictures of Cobras but could not tell if it was there or not. Seems like a good idea, seems like it would help provide support at speeds, but was wondering if anyone here actually mounted them on their Cobras? And if so anyone know where to get one?

Jim

RICK LAKE · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 05:36 AM

jimw427 Jim they come with the ERA cars. I have one on mine. 9 years of racing and not a crack in the glass yet. I have seen other crack and shatter from driving. For 5-10 dollars It helps control vibration, is a support to the assembly, it's small and doesn't look bad on the car. If your frame has the holes for it, IMO it's a no brainer. If not you would have to seen if you have the room between the glass and the frame to drill the holes. In this case go to your manufacture for help. Rick L.

rdorman · #3 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 06:16 AM

Put in the tensioner as well if you are going to have a soft top.

CobraDan · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 08:00 AM

I have a rod from Finnishline that slips over the top of the windshield and is attached to the bottom of the windshield which holds the frame together but doesn’t really help support the wind screen. My buddy has a rod that attaches to the top and the bottom is attached to the dash which has to give better center support to the wind screen on his West Coast Cobra.

Dwight · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 08:41 AM

It's good to have one. I think Cobras run about 50 percent with and 50 percent without.
Look at your windshield and see it you have the holes in it to mount one. If you do then you can make it out of thin stainless. Two or 2 1/2" wide, bend to fit the angle of your dash/windshield. I think it mounts to the windshield with 4-40 screws. You can mount it to the body with button head screws (maybe 10-32) and nuts or just #10 stainless screw into the fiberglass dash. Drill a small pilot hole for the screw to keep from breaking the screw off in the fiberglass. They may call it glass but it's tough. You can polish everything with Mothers Polish and make it shine.

The hard part is taking the windshield off and re-installing it.

That statement reminds me, install the bracket to the windshield before you install the windshield on the car. It will take a short screw driver to install the screws into the dash. If you use a screw to mount the bracket to the dash install the screw and remove it before you mount the windshield. You will have a threaded hole that will be easier to screw the screw into with a short screw driver.

I hope not.
The next time I remove my windshield I'm going to install one. But I have over 20,700 miles and no problem. I don't race but have seen 125 + a time or two.

I hope this helps and I did not confuse you.
Dwight

Go to a local sheet metal shop or mechanical shop and see if they will give you a small piece of stainless. Maybe they can bend it to a 90 degrees for you.

jimw427 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 08:56 AM

Thanks, I have the holes in the windshield, so as you guys said, its a no brainer to add one. As far as the tensioner rod, sounds liek the one offered from finishline may not serve the actual purpose? Thats the one I was going to look into, since I do have a soft top to be used in an emergency only.

So if the Finishline tension rod, is not the right one to use, where do I go to get one,? Does West Coast sell them, like the one on your friends?

Again thanks for the help.

Dwight · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 09:09 AM

You can install both. One holds the windshield to the body. The other keeps the windshield upper and lower frames from spreading apart. In the old day when they drove 150 mph in these things the glass would blow out of the windscreen.

If you use a top (soft or hard) it's good to have both of them. If you have the windshield out, put the body mount bracket in now. You can always install the center rod later.
Remember the 4-40 screw lenght for both is a "little" bit longer. Cut screw to fit (file). Check to see if the holes are over you glass. Long screw in Cobra windshield break glass!
Dwight

rdorman · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 11:56 AM

Tension rod is a must with a soft top... the frame will pull apart without it, don't ask how I know. It only makes sense to have the top of the tensioner attached to a bracket that mounts to both the body and the winshield frame.

jimw427 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 01:33 PM

Great, well sounds like I know what I need to do and whats best, thanks for all of your help.

Jim