'31 Roadster Windshield Removal & Disassembly help

bogiediver

bogiediver

Senior Member
Looking for a video or article to help me determine how to replace the weatherstriping & glass in my '31 roadster windshield; from how to remove the windshield frame from the stanchions, to how to disassemble the frame and glass, and putting it all back together - preferably without damaging anything :^)

Searched The Ford Barn and the web (using this thread's title as search criteria) - found quite a bit about closed car windshields but nothing very helpful on open car windshields. Looked thru Les's 3 manuals, did not see anything.
 
Those are a start, thanks

Was hoping for more detail.

FWIW - the frame is chrome plated, implying Deluxe Roadster; but the dimensions are that of a Standard Roadster, i.e. the taller version :rolleyes:.
 
Start first by removing the wing nut that holds the stanchion (either side) and removing both sides of the wing nuts that hold the windshield to the stanchions. Now remove the nuts that hold the cones to the stanchions. The cones should slide off. Now remove the studs that held the cones in place. Now comes the hard part. cut the sealer around the windshield on both sides with a razer blade the top will come off the windshield with some force and the glass will slide out again with some force. The rubber on the outer edges of three sides of the windshield frame will take some effort to remove especially if it has became brittle. Putting it back together is the reverse. I recommend getting the old fashioned rubberized cork to set it in place of the rubber that the suppliers now sell. Good Luck.
 
midgetracer said:
Now comes the hard part. cut the sealer around the windshield on both sides with a razer blade the top will come off the windshield with some force and the glass will slide out again with some force.
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Not sure I understand this description. Sealer? Cut the sides and the top will come off?

The frame is held together only with sealer; no screws or tabs or other mechanical fasteners?

midgetracer said:
The rubber on the outer edges of three sides of the windshield frame will take some effort to remove especially if it has became brittle.
Click to expand...

This is mostly what needs to be done. The two sides are broken off to the frame, with the only rubber left being inside the frame groove. The bottom seal is extremely brittle.

Appreciate the input, just need to get it clear in my noggin.
 
Bob from Northport said:
There was a series of You tube videos on replacing the windshield on a Model A Ford. Check AND SEE
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As I indicated, I did a search for YouTube videos, and the only that I found were related to closed car windshields which are completely different than open car windshields.

I found a series by Brentwood Bob and a single by Paul Shinn, but both these guys were doing closed car windshields.

If you can provide specific links to videos concerning open car windshields (preferably '31), it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
In post two, second link, top right photo 28 - 29, you will see on the ends of the top tube, two right angle pieces. These should be held in by two screws, if I remember right.
I have had a 1930 open, but not apart.
From what others have said here, it sounds like the 30 - 31 top tube is held in by the stud?
 
Here are a couple of pictures showing how the 1930-31 open car windshield comes apart.
 

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@Bob C -
I flipped the 2nd pic above 180* to make marking them easier:
Frame.jpg

If my markings are correct, then this means the answer to @updraught 's question is:

'Yes, the pivot stud does hold the top frame piece in place'

By virtue of the angled piece protruding from the top frame and into the side frame lining up with where the pivot stud screws in.

- Correct?

If yes, this sheds a lot of light on the process for me. Also makes @midgetracer 's write up make more sense to me as well.

Thanks to all.

Always open for tips & techniques to make it easier :D
 
Yes, the pivot studs hold the angle piece (attached to the top piece) to the side pieces of the frame. The "sealer" is what ever material is holding the glass in the frame.
 
Re: '31 Roadster Windshield Removal & Disassembly help - add'l questions

I was successful with the disassembly with the help I received from this thread - thanks.

However, as usual, disassembly has brought on additional questions.

I discovered that the pivot studs & frame cones on my windshield are NOT what's available from the suppliers.

vendor style.jpg As removed.jpg

On the removed ones, note the tabs on the frame cone that fit into the track on the side of the frame (where the weatherstrip goes); the recessed rectangular space in the cones that fits over the rectangular shoulder on the pivot studs; and the lack of the separate stud nuts. Any idea about these?

Luckily, those I removed are not damaged (except for needing the threads chased) and I should be able to reuse them 🤞.

Another thing I noticed is the upper windshield post sockets in the stanchions seemed to have a paper lining (gasket?) that was significantly torn up on one side, and not much better on the other (better one pictured below).
liner.jpg
Any idea on this? Do I need to replace it, and if so, with what?

As I mentioned before - the frame is chrome plated, implying Deluxe Roadster; but the dimensions are that of a Standard Roadster, i.e. the taller version utilizing the 13-1/2" Standard size stanchions, although mine are apparently polished stainless steel. Further, the windshield frame is drilled thru for the mounting of the vacuum wiper motor/blade (I think I saw somewhere that was done for the '28-'29?) - obviously none of this is original for the '31.
Again - any ideas?

My wife (whose father acquired the car in the early '60s by trading an antique shotgun for it) keeps telling me that it's a "Frankenstein 'A' ", with pieces and parts from wherever. Every time I go to fix/update/replace I begin the believe her more & more :rolleyes:
 
The vendor style cones and studs are what I have always found on 30-31 roadsters and phaetons. I have never seen the paper gaskets you have. I believe that your chrome windshield is a reproduction. The wiper on a 30-31 roadster was mounted with a clamp on
bracket. Most Model A Fords that were not restored are a bit of a "Frankenstein A".
 
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