Windscreen Seal Installation Tricks

A smart way to compress springy new MGB windshield seals (with photos)

Written by Unknown Author – 2006-04-02
How-To Library > Tops and Windows Section

These photographs show one way of compressing the new seals between the MGB windshield frame and the body in order to line up the bolt holes for final windshield installation. This is a notoriously difficult job because of the way new seals want to curl up, so I hope this method helps you accomplish the task with a minimum of swearing.

Box section at rear of right front fender, in which the right dogleg of the windshield frame resides

Same view, masking tape applied to protect paint

View from above showing the outside part of the windshield frame that should be protected with tape

The 4" C-clamp is now applied and gently tightened until the holes line up inside the footwell.
Problem is, you can't see whether the holes line up; it's done by feel.
[If you have the dash out, or have a mirror and a light, you might be able to see...]

This is a view of the lower of the two bolts, once inserted.
Note, this view is in the left side footwell; the other photos are of the right side

And the windshield is in place!

[Ed. Note- This page is now mirrored on The MG Experience because the original seems to have disappeared...]

— Windscreen Seal Installation Tricks —

Written by Unknown Author – Created 2006-04-02 Published 2006-04-02
Contents © Copyrighted and published under the following terms:
Copyright © the author and published by permission or fair use.

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Member Comments on Windscreen Seal Installation Tricks ↵

Rated 8.3 out of 10 based on 3 ratings

2010-11-08 05:39:37 # 2342

Comment by Joe Torre

Rating: 7/10

I used this method and I was able to install a new windscreen rubber by myself. That's the upside. The down side was that is still took some muscle and a lot of wrestling to get things in line.

2011-08-07 12:25:26 # 3401

Comment by Dennis E

An alternative I tried was to use ratcheting tie-down straps - from the top edge of the windshield to the lower dash bar - of course the dash was already removed.

2012-03-03 07:02:59 # 5034

Comment by Bob VG

Rating: 10/10

I appreciated finding this information. Having seen photos of folks struggle with this task, I used an Irwin rubber coated clamp; it took me 15 minutes to install my windshield - many thanks

Bob

2015-12-06 21:44:21 # 30764

Comment by Jim Graves

Photos and description are very difficult to see/understand.

2017-12-12 12:23:57 # 46881

Comment by Ken Adkison

I also use ratchet straps but attach them to the lower door hinges as a hard point. laying the strap cross the lower edge of the windscreen and ends of the frame spread the load evenly. Don't forget to lay some small soft rope under the lip of the lower seal to draw the seal out from under the frame as it comes down. Start the center bolts early as on many cars they won't fit once the A-pillars bolts are installed. If in doubt you may want to review my video at: https://adkison.name/mgb/tech-articles/installing-frame.html (non advertising - personnel site)

2017-12-15 05:47:54 # 46930

Comment by Michael Solomons

Using this method I also found using some slightly smaller diameter bolts as guides by pushing them in the holes helped while trying to line everything up, then removed one at a time and replaced it with the correct bolt made things much easier with a bit of jiggling.

2020-10-26 13:00:17 # 67057

Comment by Wray Lemke

This article may have come from our dear friend Chris Roop. That is where I first ran across it and it made installing my windscreen a piece of cake. Bob VG's suggestion of using the Irwin rubber coated clamps is a good idea.

2023-02-16 17:10:09 # 85250

Comment by Eric ERS

Does this process require that the dash is already removed? We were able to remove the windshield on my '66 B without taking out the dash.

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