SPF Windshield Glass RR

Tony Ripepi · #1 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 12:37 PM

Hello All,

I've changed the glass in other replicas but, I have a buddy with a cracked windshield and he has the new glass.

We are going to change it out and I am looking for input, tips, techniques, cautions etc.

Tony R.

Blas · #2 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 01:30 PM

I think I have a write-up at home...Drop me an email tonight to remind me to look.

Tony Ripepi · #3 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 01:49 PM

Thanks Blas....email sent.

Tony R.

STL Mark · #4 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 03:13 PM

I just changed out the windshield on my SPF this past weekend. Getting it off the car is easy. Leave the pillars, just take the frame off. Getting the glass out of the frame is the hardest part. Take your time. Don't pull on the frame too hard. Clean it up good. I installed the Polyglass from Cobra Valley. Excellent product. The new windshield did not come with a rubber gasket so I used 2 x 29" bicycle innertubes stretched as tight as possible. Then I installed the unit into the frame, and trimmed the excess rubber all the way around. It was a nice tight fit in the frame - very secure. Screwed it all back together, and installed back into the car. Then I removed the protective coating and re-installed the rear view mirror with double sided tape.

Important Note - make sure that all screws go back into the exact holes that they came out of. Label them.

Tony Ripepi · #5 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 03:30 PM

Thanks Mark,

I have also been advised to go to a windshield repair shop, pick up some 2" wide gasket material that is 1/16" thick and use the 3M windshield urthane when putting the gasket on and sealing it to the body. This will keep and wind or rain from rolling under the windshield.

Once everything is back together trim with an exacto blade and clean up any excess urethane.

Tony R.

STL Mark · #6 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 03:55 PM

Either way - but don't forget the screws - they are all custom to each hole. Label them so they go back in the same place.

PANAVIA · #7 (**permalink**) 05-24-2012, 02:28 PM

There are vintage oriented glass shop can help you in this - beware of the black urathane !

Dana E. · #8 (**permalink**) 07-24-2012, 08:46 PM

Since I took a large rock to the windshield last weekend, I now need to replace the glass. I take it the only choices are: Superformance for big $$$ or the Polyglass from Cobra Valley. How does the thickness of the Polyglass compare to the factory glass? I cut a piece of Lexan to replace the cracked windshield in my old B&B. The Lexan was close, but not quite as thick as the original glass. Once installed in the frame, I thought the Lexan windshield was more "flexible" than when it had the glass windshield. The glass windshield feels "solid" in my SPF. How does the Polyglass windshield compare to the factory glass as far as the rigidity of the frame/windshield goes?

jhv48 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-24-2012, 09:10 PM

Just an FYI. Your comprehensive insurance coverage will cover replacement of your cracked windshield subject to your deductible of course. I carry a $100 deductible for just this reason. The glass shop has replaced three of my windshields in two and a half years. Total cost to me, $300. And no, these claims will not cause your rates to go up.

Tony Ripepi · #10 (**permalink**) 07-25-2012, 09:14 AM

Hello All,

Just finished the reinstall of the windshield in the SPF yesterday. Several reasons for the delay but, the primary one being a blown intake manifold gasket that needed attention before we adressed the windshield.

Huge Thanks to all.....Club cobra comes through again.

This was on SPF14xx with the center pillar and the only tool issue was that I needed to cut off an allen wrench to get the screws out of the brace where it goes into the bottom of the windshield. Make certain that if you getting glass or lexan that you let the supplier know what the series number is for your car, they are different for different years.

Tips to aware of:

1) Make sure you put the screws back into the original hole.

2) Beware of the black 3M urethane it goes every where. Use gloves but. it does clean up easily after it drys with paint thinner.

3)Leave the pillars in place and you do not need to worry about restoring the rake when you reinstall.

4) Not that hard to get it in and out the difficulty is iin getting the new glass into the old frame. If you are careful when you take out the old glass the gasket will come out in two pieces. The bottom is one and the rest of the gasket goes along the top and sides. There were a few place where the gasket was broken, I put black duct tape on the glass in those spots to fill in the gaps. The old urethane comes out easily and you can see the areas where to put the new urethane.

5) It helps to have four hands when you are taking it out and putting it back into the pillars and when you putting the frame on the new glass.

Again Thanks to guys that gave me the input.

Tony R.