TR2/3/3A 1960 tr3 a to gasket or not to gasket

[sp53]

Some of those rubber pieces on the bottom are a bear to get in because they are either made wrong or just inferior. They can go in a wrong way, so make sure to look it over good. I would lay it on the car and see how the flap sits and how the T shape slides into the frame then compare.

TRF sells one that goes in friendly, but might not lay as flat as some other venders. I use wd40 and pull and stretch on many off them. The last one I got was from TRF and it slid right in the grove. Taking closer pics of the ends and magnifying them on the computer might help see the correct orientation of how they slide.

Steve

 

[CJD]

+1

The rubber you are holding in the pic is what is used between the glass and frame. The one from the frame to the scuttle has a lip on one end.

 

[DavidApp]

I seem to recall you should install it so it is tilted backwards that way when the windshield is installed the rubber makes a better seal to the body.

David

 

[TR3Acustodian]

You have the wrong part. You need a replacement like the one you took off. It looks like the part you received is for surrounding the windshield glass to the metal frame. It is for folding over the edge of the glass and inserting it into the frame. Not what you need.
Charley

You are correct Charley. Appreciate the post. Have already ordered correct piece. Thanks

 

[charleyf]

You are correct Charley. Appreciate the post. Have already ordered correct piece. Thanks

Once you get the correct part, note the advice given above. There is a front and a back side. Some are marked and a lot are not marked as to front or rear. I have not been able to slide the piece in at all well. I get about `1/2 or less and then hit to much friction. I have usually resorted to lining it up and then pushing in the inserted part with a dull puttty knfe or screw driver. Lube helps which ever way you go. A good foaming window cleaner is what I now use. (A tip from a Safelite installer). Easy clean up that way with no residual mess.
Charley

 

[TR3Acustodian]

Once you get the correct part, note the advice given above. There is a front and a back side. Some are marked and a lot are not marked as to front or rear. I have not been able to slide the piece in at all well. I get about `1/2 or less and then hit to much friction. I have usually resorted to lining it up and then pushing in the inserted part with a dull puttty knfe or screw driver. Lube helps which ever way you go. A good foaming window cleaner is what I now use. (A tip from a Safelite installer). Easy clean up that way with no residual mess.
Charley

Wish I would have read this before attempting to install. Used WD40. Not help. Used 4 in 1 oil. helped a little. War of attrition gain 2 " springs back in inch. Took 3 people 45 minutes to accomplish this but it is in and looks amazing.

 

[Donald1107]

Question for anyone with experience replacing the windshield glass on a TR3. How do you separate a 64 year old windshield glass from the windshield frame? That is, without breaking the frame? Safelight won’t touch it.

 

[charleyf]

Question for anyone with experience replacing the windshield glass on a TR3. How do you separate a 64 year old windshield glass from the windshield frame? That is, without breaking the frame? Safelight won’t touch it.

The two pieces are held together by very small bolts and two small angle brackets at the bottom corners. If this has not been apart for many years those bolts are likely rusted tight. Try soaking those in rust dissolver. This is not likely to work. You may need to drill the heads off of those bolts. You want to remove the bottom frame piece . Then proceed with the glass removal. There are small replacement pieces available from TRF + others. But you will likely have to deal with some rethreading.
Charley

 

[Donald1107]

Thank you, Charley. This is helpful, and I will plan on frozen bolts on the bottom corners. Assuming I can get those off, I am still concerned about how to extract the glass from the side and top frames, given it hasn’t been separated since I purchased the car in 1986, and probably not since built in 1959. The glazing is surely brittle. Any advice on that?
Don

 

[charleyf]

Thank you, Charley. This is helpful, and I will plan on frozen bolts on the bottom corners. Assuming I can get those off, I am still concerned about how to extract the glass from the side and top frames, given it hasn’t been separated since I purchased the car in 1986, and probably not since built in 1959. The glazing is surely brittle. Any advice on that?
Don

If there is any sealer on the edges, I would use a razor blade or X-Acto knife on the edge of the frame. The sides of the frame are a bit flexible. Start at the bottom of each side and try to pull the glass loose. You could also try a long thin screw driver inserted inside the frame and between the frame and glass.
I always try the least forceable method first.
Charley

 

[Donald1107]

Good advice! Thank you again. Since the original windshield is irreparably cracked, I’ve thought of just breaking it to pieces that can be easily pried loose. I don’t know if it is tempered glass, but will find out (with eye protection, of course).

 

[charleyf]

Good advice! Thank you again. Since the original windshield is irreparably cracked, I’ve thought of just breaking it to pieces that can be easily pried loose. I don’t know if it is tempered glass, but will find out (with eye protection, of course).

That is a good plan.
Charley

 

[Graham H]

New windscreens aren't that expensive but finding someone to fit it is the hard part. If the frame and all the fittings and seals are in good shape I would look for a screen shop to supply and fit the glass. I did all the restoration on my 3A but when it came to the screen I sent it out to a windscreen shop.

Graham

 

[charleyf]

New windscreens aren't that expensive but finding someone to fit it is the hard part. If the frame and all the fittings and seals are in good shape I would look for a screen shop to supply and fit the glass. I did all the restoration on my 3A but when it came to the screen I sent it out to a windscreen shop.

Graham

Donald,
I suggest that if you end up installing the glass yourself that you do a search here and on triumphexperience.com for comments on others experience with not only how to do it but also parts suppliers. They are not all the same parts.
Charley

 

[CJD]

If the glass is already damaged, that makes it easier! +1 to using a screw driver on the lower corners between the glass and the frame. Once loosened, you can work it loose around and up. The entire frame is chrome plated brass, so not that strong...don't over-bend it. It can be re-chromed if you have the time.

 

[sp53]

I have used a sheet metal tray and filled the tray with gasoline and let it sit until everything turned to goo. I would brush the gas up onto the frame with a paint brush in tight places and pour gas over the tough spots. The windshield I had someone installed with this chalking compound that had hardened. The gasoline worked well, but was messy.

steve