Driver's vent window/windscreen gap ...

[Graham Ayers]

I have a wee problem with Bea. (1972 Roadster)
Preamble: - When I got the car the hinge on the driver's vent window was broken. The window & frame assy was replaced while it was at the Sportscar Factory. (Another job I did not ask to be done.)
Since then I have had the windscreen off to install the bolts in the center rod holding plate. (Not done at the S.F.)
Upon reinstallation I found that there was a 1/2" gap between the driver's vent window & the windscreen seal. (I cannot swear that it was/wasn't there previously).
At first I couldn't figure out why. Now it appears that putting the bolts in the center rod holding plate did not allow the w/screen to move back far enough. (Possibly why the bolts were not installed?)
So I loosened the w/screen & took the center rod mount plate bolts out again & got it to move back far enough that it & drvr's v/window seal actually meet.
So far so good?
Now for the problem: Said drvr's v/window is 1/2" too for OUT. The window channel at the bottom is as near to the door skin as it will go (in fact touching). The bolt is as far west as the slotted hole in the bracket will allow.
I measured from the center of the w/screen to the top of both v/windows. There is a 1/2" difference - the left is 1/2" further out.
Is it possible that the channel could have been bent (straightened) slightly? I know 'anything' is possible perhaps the word should be 'likely'. Factoring everything else it seems to be the only thing I can think of.
Or - are all roadster vent windows the same year to year. Perhaps an earlier/later one had been installed.

Thoughts?

Sorry about the length of this diatribe, I need to fill you in on the details to have it make sense.
Regards, Graham

 

[tony barnhill]

Difference in earlier & later vent windows is material & assembly technique - not size...there are also differences in windshield frames, though also just material & assembly technique not size...

Can you post photos?

Also, just for the heck of it, 'square' your engine compartment.....open hood & measure from the rear corner of the hood dopening on the driver side to the front corner of the passenger side & then do same thing on the other side using the exact same measurement points...those 2 angled measurements should be the same...let us know if they're 1/2" to 1" different.

 

[GB1]

Also, is this with the top up or not. If the top is tight it will pull the top of the windshield back.

Pat

 

[PAUL161]

Also, is this with the top up or not. If the top is tight it will pull the top of the windshield back.

Pat

The top being up or down should not effect the position of the windshield! If it does, then the windshield frame is loose, or the top is way to tight. As far as the vent window frame is concerned, my 72 frames were bad and I replaced them with a pair of perfect 78 frames. The fit was the same. The frames in the early models, 69 and back, might not be the same, I don't know.

 

[Graham Ayers]

Thanks all. I'll try the measurement thing.
The windscreen is (was) bolted up tight so that's not an issue.
The top of the vent window is 3/8" too far out also.
Will do some more checking & get back.
Regards, Graham

 

[GB1]

I had the problem with the top frame just last month, it may have been a lil bent, was definately very taunt, but it did make a diffy. Think about the flex in the glass & aluminum, where it is bolted to the pillars, and where you are latching it too. It does move, ya don't believe me try pushing it back a little on the windshield where the latch is.

Pat