TR4/4A Installing a new windscreen

[TRMark]

I am installing a new windscreen into the frame assembly before reinstalling on the car. I have been doing my research including the rope trick. I am not seeing any reference to the use of a sealant between the screen and the rubber or the rubber and the frame. The manual calls for a sealant. I would think the use of a sealant would make the rope trick very messy. Am I missing something?

 

[tinman58]

When we installed our windscreen in the 250 we did not use any sealant. The rope trick works, But it is still a real PITA to get it in. It took my wife and I about two hours and a lot of bad words.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Best 40 bucks I ever spent was having a glass shop install the windscreen into the 'loose' TR4 frame.

Tricky enough when the frame is mounted on the car - a real handful when it is unattached (like yours and like mine).

 

[charleyf]

I have installed several now. First it is best to do it either on the car body or some how have the frame mounted in a fixed position. Second the use of a foaming spray window cleaner to lubricate the seal and the front side chrome strip is a big help. Find a small diameter strong rope -- it works great.
Charley

 

[Marvin Gruber]

After cracking a couple, $40 at local glass place is my favorite way to install. My hand like me better as well.
Marv

 

[TRMark]

Thanks, guys. I will check with local glass shops, I don't need to master every skill involved in a restoration.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I'll offer one bit of advice. The first time I did mine I cut the silver plastic trim so it neatly butted at the bottom and then covered the joint with the usual metal clip. Over the next few years that plastic shrank until the metal clip would no longer span the gap.

Next time I was smarter - I left about 2" of excess length there. It would wave in the breeze but I had a plan... I waited a couple of years and it slowly shrank about an inch or so. Finally, I cut the now shrunken trim to a butt joint and installed the clip. Unfortunately, it is still shrinking! The clip still covers the gap so maybe my initial wait was enough to prevent too big a gap - time will tell.

 

[charleyf]

George,
TRF has three different lengths of those clips. Apparently because of the type of problems you are having.
Did you know that the early TR4s used a two piece solid metal trim?
Charley

 

[TRMark]

I have the two piece solid metal for the front and the surrey back light. I plan on reusing them, the plastic that came with the rubber does not look "right." Doing the back light is going to be terrifying no matter who does it, unobtaineum.

 

[charleyf]

I have the two piece solid metal for the front and the surrey back light. I plan on reusing them, the plastic that came with the rubber does not look "right." Doing the back light is going to be terrifying no matter who does it, unobtaineum.

You are correct about the rear window installation. The problem is with the bottom forward corner. I have two of these surrey tops. The first one was put on by a professional while I watched. He had a really tough time of it. The advice I would give is to put the gasket on the window and put it where it can get real warm and try your best to get the gasket to form around that curve in the window. I would do this like a week or more in advance and keep trying to find some way to get that gasket to form around that curve That was where most of the problems came from.
Charley