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AH BJ7 Windshield Question.

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Johnny

Johnny

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Good day all. I have to apologize for not being more attentive to the BCF.

I do have a question concerning the AH BJ7 I'm restoring. Does the curved windshield center bracket go on top of the dash pad, or underneath it? I have seen both on various models with curved windshields. Also, what type of screw goes into the bracket to the nut below. Is it chrome plated?

I'm leaning on leaving the bracket on top of the dash pad for two reasons. One, the dash pad has a hole in it for the screw to pass through. And two, the bracket is chrome plated as if to be seen and match the WS surround.

What are your thoughts?

Okay, thanks Lou S. from St. Louis he says to use a "well-nut" made of rubber with a nut inside installed in the hole furnished, and then slide the bracket UNDER the dash pad and secure with a 10X32 phillips screw.

:winner1:
 
johnny, i just took a look at my bj7 center windshield bracket, it is under the dash pad, the pad is the original and i dont suspect its ever been fiddled with, im not able to see the screw heads nor the bracket itself so cant tell if its chrome plated, my car is up on stands at this time, ill try for a closer look this afternoon, dont remember ever seeing one mounted/exposed on top of the dash. :savewave:
 
This the area I'm questioning; I have a plastic scraper underneath to prevent damage. If the bracket indeed goes underneath why have a hole in the wooden dash pad? There is a AH for sale on ebay that I noticed has the bracket on top of the dashpad. During mfg. I can see that if the WS is installed first then the dash pad later, the bracket most likely would be under. However, if the dash pad was installed first, then the bracket would be on top.
 

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Here's a photo of the AH BJ8 on ebay that has the bracket on top of the dashpad. It's not easily seen, but it's there;
Also, if the bracket is under the dashpad won't it prevent the demister slot pegs from entering there drilled holes in the shroud?
 

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Hi Johnny,
Here is a shot of my original BJ8 dashpad. You can see the hole you're talking about at the center bttom. The foam and vinyl cover don't have a hole in them though. I do recall something binding in that area when I removed it though, that's why the plywood is chipped.
 
Thanks GregW for responding. Your dash pad looks just like mine did. It too was shredded in the same location. Due to the thickness of the bracket it would prevent the demister pegs from entering there predrilled holes. I'm guessing that originally it was supposed to be installed on top of the dashpad but due to the WS being installed before the dash pad It was just slipped on top. I wonder if the concourse instructions can help here?
 
The crash pad definitely goes on top as the pad is installed well after the windshield is fitted. The hole in the plywood is there to relieve the thickness of the head of the bolt holding it in place. Otherwise, if you have to replace the windscreen glass you would have to take the dash pad off. The bracket on top of the crash pad would also look terrible. Ihave built a BJ7 and taken a few apart and they all have the pad on top of the bracket. Every BJ8 I have seen has the bracket below the crash pad.
 
:wall: Not to belabor the point, but if you have a copy of "The Healey Book" by Bill Emerson, on pages 179 and very clearly on page 182 these two photos clearly show the bracket on top of the dash pad. Both of the cars were BJ8 models.

This could be one of those issues where the engineers decided it should be on top, allowing the demister pegs to seal tightly, and the assembly line decided it was too costly. Perhaps there is no final answer.

Just to continue the discussion forever, I'll probably leave the bracket on top. :crazy:
 
On page 170 it is hardly able to be seen, and on 182 there is no dash pad so the bracket is clearly visible and on top of the shroud. You can see a bit of the bracket as it curves under the dash pad.
 
I checked my BJ7 and it's under the dash pad. Checked the shop manual, section PPP.6 and it says for both the BJ7 and BJ8 to remove the dash pad to unscrew the set bolt holding the bracket at the centre of the windshield bottom rail to the scuttle top. For appearance I don't think you want the bracket viewable through the windshield.
 
:yesnod:

Stretch, you win! :winner1:
Finally, definitive proof that the bracket goes UNDER the dash pad.

Many thanks to all who responded, as always I'm in your debt.
 
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