Morris Minor Owners Club

I am in the process of restoring a 1954 Splitscreen Traveller. I need to replace the glass and ordered some 4.5mm from a local glass supplier but they cut it from 6.5mm and he is saying it should be okay. Anyone got experience of fitting thicker than normal glass?
Thanks
John

This subject has been covered in detail on the Series MM message board. I would advise you to read the posts before wishing that you had not started!
Windscreen glass should come in standard thickness toughened glass (sorry can't remember the thickness), and laminated which is 1.6mm thicker and will not fit the rubber as well. Do not accept thicker than standard glass.
Also some replacement rubbers are poor quality and do not fit the windscreen surround correctly.
If this is your first attempt at fitting a split windscreen then I would suggest first fitting the hubcaps so that you have something to kick!!!

I bought new glass from a minor specailist and even it is slightly too thick, making it very difficlt to keep the chrome trim in place. I am on the look out for some original glass and will change it when I find it.

I would be very interested to see some pctures of your split screen traveller, I have the newest known one!

Thanks for the replies. The glass supplier should have cut from 4.5mm as per pattern but he didn't read the order so from the comments I will refuse the thick stuff and get them to do it again with the thinner glass.
Thanks again
John

Will post some pictures when I have some of the complete car not being restored. Here is a sad one until then[frame][/frame]

I am in the process of restoring a 1954 Splitscreen Traveller

It's not a '54 with that grill

frosty wrote:It's not a '54 with that grill

Why not? The 'cheesegrater' grille was replaced by the slatted one in October '54.

Hello there, yes i was watching this one on ebay the chassis number shows its one of the earliest with the facelifted grill.
As David says the new glass is a bit fatter, it was very difficult to get it fitted in Davids traveller.
good luck with the restoration and keep us posted of your progress.

I recently bought new glass for my split screen. After hours of mucking around and getting it in, the rubber along the sides and top edge would not lie flat. That was due to the glass being a fraction thicker than the original glass. In the end I bought some second hand original glass and fitted it in no time at all. The rubber still stuck up a litle at the top, but once the chrome strip was in place with plenty of sealant, everything was fine.

I dont think from my experience that you can use modern day glass, even if it just a fraction thicker. Also, the replacement split screen rubbers are terrible at fitting. I destroyed the first replacement rubber and had to buy a second one using the experience gained from the first attempt to avoid it happening again.

One tip that is reall useful.....buy a spray can of silicon rubber lubricant from Halfords. It comes in a yellow can for about a fiver. Spray all the recesses in the rubber first and then fit the glass. It makes the job so much easier. Then once fitted, go around the rubber with a damp cloth to rub the silicon spray off.

Out of all the jobs involved in a Moggy restoration, the split screen fitting has got to be the most horrible. I would rather prep and spray a whole car than fit a split windscreen.

My replacement "new"glass is sitting in the back of the barn.....a good 45 pounds down the drain....

Good luck !!

Hi Thanks for the replies.
I got the glass supplier to change the 6.mm with the correct size so all I need to do now, according to most of the messages, is to check my swearing vocabalulary and get started.
John

Everyone has different ways of doing it. I've tried a few and prefer the technique shown in the workshop manual. Its worth making up the dummy centre pillar and assembling the two windows and rubber on the bench with the cord. Plenty of washing up liquid or silicone spray (make sure all the painting is done before using silicone products btw!). At least one helper inside the car to push it in place, though two is better, one for each side and carefully pull the rubber lip over the screen aperture with the cord, tyring hard not to split the rubber. (I normally keep a spare in case so the job can continue after the swearing and extra cup of tea for all involved has finished....).
Last one I did went in in about 10 minutes first go. Was so surprised!

I agree with Iainin on this. Using a piece of string is the only way. But a good blast of silicon spray makes it a lot easier too.

Found washing line (string covered in plastic coating) works much better than ordinary string. It's kinder on the rubber and slips along more easily.

Hi folks, I live in Australia and have a 1949 series MM 2 door split windscreen saloon. I came out to the shed the other day and found the windscreens falling into the car. I have purchased the new windscreen rubber and dividing strips, all I need to do now is fit them. I understand the bit about the spray silicon and the nylom string but has anyone got a manual that they could copy the instructions for me. I have done a few minis before but this is worth getting right first time. Also its winter here so I don't want to be hanging around outside for too long if you know what I mean.
The car came with a set of twin SU's and an extractor exhaust on the little side valve engine........watch out!!

I got 6mm glass fitted without too much difficulty (a professional, with me and friend helping though), but the replacement rubber really needs a bigger lip for it to fit as it should. Fortunately the screen surrounds cover this.

Pete

hi there i had mine made from a pattern (toughened ) and sprayed the rubber with WD40 fitted first time with a string
but have to run silicon sealer from the outside or will have rain water ingress the soapy water solution dries up and used a string same while fitting the chrome strip it went in easily mine is a 1951 cheese grater grill done all the floors and inner outer sills the previus owner changed the engine and box to OVH A series 1100 engine-- so now have a gearbox cover for the long stick gearbox spare