Windscreen bottom gasket

The 4A, 4AB, 4AC, 4AD cars, including the SM 1500 Roadster and SMX
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kabu
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Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by kabu »

Hi All,

I do have a new correct L-shaped rubber windscreen bottom gasket that is fixed on top of the front bulkhead (Firewall). However I am not sure how it was mounted originally. As far as I know it is just screwed on top of the bulkhead but are the screws resting directly on the rubber or are there washers or even a full width metal strip under the screws against the rubber. And as usual, if someone could provide a picture of this detail, that would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

BR/
Pekka
4ADT Roadster, 1954 --- http://www.guru-group.fi/kabu/singer
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kabu
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by kabu »

Oh yes and one more thing. The windscreen bottom gasket goes on top of the horizontal parts of the windscreen posts but there will be a wedge shaped gap between the gasket and the bulkhead at the end of the windscreen post inner ends. Is this gap filled with some wedge part, made of rubber perhaps?

BR/
Pekka
4ADT Roadster, 1954 --- http://www.guru-group.fi/kabu/singer
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mikeyr
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by mikeyr »

There was 1/2" wide (approx) alu strip that went all the way across the body on top of that rubber part. I may have pics somewhere and I will look when I get home
Mike Rambour. Site Administrator
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ggvette
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by ggvette »

I just happen to have mine off at the moment.

It is aluminum as Mike said. measures 12.75 mm wide
and is 96.5 cm long (38 inches) and is 1.45 mm thick.
it bends approx. its width at the center besides bending with the contour of the panel.

Hole spacing is approx. 7.6 cm apart with a start of 3 cm from the end
there are 13 holes approx. 3.25 mm in dia for the wood screws.

Hope this helps I can post a pic if you need it.

Grant
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by Peter McKercher »

Pekka
Note as Grant says, it bends approx its width at the centre. It is important to get the correct arc or else you will find that the strip buckles with the last couple of screws on either end. I believe you are familiar with metal work and know how to get an arc out of a straight piece of metal. If not, let me know and I will tell you how.
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kabu
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by kabu »

Thanks a lot for the information and the dimensions. Yes, I am quite familiar with metalworking and have the required tools available.

BR/
Pekka
4ADT Roadster, 1954 --- http://www.guru-group.fi/kabu/singer
DGreen
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by DGreen »

I am hoping to affix the rubber strip below the windscreen to my car now, not I'm not completely clear on the instructions for how to produce the aluminum strip that holds it down. Specifically, I'm unclear on what is meant by "it bends it's approximate width". Are you saying that it needs to bowed in the flat dimension in order to compensate for curvature of the cowl? If so, I should be able to use the bottom of the windscreen frame to create a template, correct? I assume that screws go through the aluminum strip and through the rubber and into the cowl and into the windscreen supports.

Thanks,

D'Arcy
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Peter McKercher
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by Peter McKercher »

Yes, you can use the windscreen as a template by placing your paper below the screen in place and scribing along the bottom edge of the screen. This will give you the desired curve. Use a piece of aluminum the thickness of the windscreen frame. Take the strip and place it on its edge over a large vice with the jaws open and gently tap the edge of the strip with a hammer over the open space between the jaws. You'll have to do this along the full length of the strip to get the right curve.
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2001f4s
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by 2001f4s »

HI Pekka,

Here is a photo of mine that I took off just a few weeks ago. I can provide further details on this item if you need.

I do have a new rubber seal too, if you would like some dimensions.

Good luck
Scott

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DGreen
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by DGreen »

That's great! Thanks for posting the pictures. The rubber that I have has a wide edge and narrower edge. I assume that the narrower edge forms the leading edge across the front of the bottom of the windscreen, while the wider edge gets sandwiched between the aluminum strip and the cowl. This covers the gap, but leaves more of the chrome showing on the windscreen frame and gives the aluminum strip and screws a little more rubber to bite into, when screwed down.
IMG_1071.JPG

I note, however, that a few photos of cars I've seen, including some pretty early photos, appear to show it installed the other way around, whereby the front chrome on the bottom of the windscreen frame is almost completely covered by the rubber. This method leaves almost no rubber for the screws to pierce through, however.
IMG_1072.JPG
Have I got that right?

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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by 2001f4s »

Hi D'arcy,

Here is mine pre-removal and it looks like option #2 to me. My car was pretty original. It did have some paint work in the rear, but to me it did not look like the cowl had been touched.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need anything additional.
Scott

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DGreen
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by DGreen »

Thanks for the clear photo. I agree with you. Option 2, it shall be.

D'Arcy
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Re: Windscreen bottom gasket

Post by Peter McKercher »

The larger lip goes across the chrome. The lower lip needs only to be wide enough for the aluminum retaining strip.
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