If you are lucky enough
not to have one of
the post-1997 heated windscreens, your windscreen is quite simple
to replace. This is a godsend as Morgan windscreens, being flat glass,
break often and pit constantly requiring replacement if you want a
clear view. (any glass iwth even a tiny bit of curvature is MUCH stronger and pit resistant. ,A regular glass place (a non-auto
glass place) is the best. They will always have shatterproof glass
oone hand of the same or near-same thickness. They use it for
cabinet windows and coffee-tables. They also have considerably more
experience in cutting flat glass to size than any autoglass place
fitting pre-made stuff.
WATCHPOINT: Here's a head's up. They will charge you for a standard sized sheet of the relevant glass. However, the windscreen needs only 1/2 of that stock piece and they will keep the rest. If you are near home rather than mogging far away, after they give you a quote, ask how much extra it will be to cut a second windscreen from the same piece. This quite often catches them unaware and though they will charge you a small additional fee to cut the second piece, you still come out ahead with a spare windscreen for the next time. |
WATCHPOINT 2: Many of these screens are fit with the installation of a small rubber or cloth "gasket" that goes around the glass as it slots into the frame. All glass cutters will be able to manage this and have something that will suffice on hand. However, silicone (RTV) will always be necessary and can do the trick with or without that gasket. |
WATCHPOINT 3: The Morgan windscreens are held by 3 screws on each side. The lengths are different and must get the right length in the right hole or the longer ones will go through the windscreen frame touch and cause the windscreen to crack. |
WINDSCREENS UNHEATED
II (Fitting)
by Fred Sisson from
the eMOG archives
For some reason the grit in Georgia eats glass surface and so I have replaced a few windscreen glasses too. Even have used tinted glass. It is a cheap, easy job.
I like the silicone replacement method but buy the proper tools to remove glued-in glass from the frame next time. I use a combination of home-bent knife blades and old banjo strings to remove the glass. Even then it is not that easy, BUT... easier than removing some of the original glasses. Be careful about bending the frame when removing the glass I find it easiest to do a simple one-finger cleanup while the silicone is wet.. then I do the final cleanup after it is dry, using razor blades to trim the excess and clean the glass.
MOST IMPORTANT... Just about
anyone who has replaced a few windscreens had broken one at sometime
because of the screws holding the screen to the frame or the screws holding
the little angle brackets (that hold the frame together).. contacting
the glass. Sometimes they crack a few days later...
MAKE SURE the screws are
short enough that they don't contact the edge of the glass!
I also like to shape my own glass for the Brooklands Aeroscreens. I have four different shapes sitting on the shelf at the moment.. Since I am not worried about them being watertight... I only use three inch long squirts of silicone to hold the glass ('cuz I know I am going to get bored with them in a year or so...).
WINDSCREENS UNHEATED
III (Fitting)
by Phil Macwhirter
from the eMOG archives
It might only be a morgan windscreen but it can be pretty difficult to get the screen back into the frame, particularly if your rubber or glass is a bit thicker than it should be. So, what I do with the rubber (which holds the screen into the frame) is throw it away.
The best bet there is to use NEUTRAL cure silicone. Don't use acetic cure as it will eat the lamination in the glass, assuming it is laminated & not toughened. (As a building contractor I see the results of the wrong silicone all the time, it eats the back off mirrors & taints special metallic coatings as well ). The use of silicone ensures that there is little pressure or stress on the glass/frame assembly.
After removing screen frame from car, pull it all apart, very easy, connections at points where bottom rail joins side / top. & clean all components. Then 50% fill the rebate of the metal frame with silicone.
Fit the glass, & assemble, putting the screws back in to the frame. Then start to wipe off the excess silicone which will ooze out, using turpentine as a solvent. A real messy job, use doctors latex gloves & have plenty of newspaper & rags on hand. Eventually you will get the whole lot clean and if required can use a razor blade when silicone is dry for final trim up.
BTW, I've heard of many broken windscreens trying to use the rubber sections. The silicone method uses no force or strain on anything ( except you as you get the silicone off everything.) I've done a few screens like this & would not do it any other way.
If you need some more info
on this, drop me a line in Melbourne, Australia at pmlm@bigpond.com
WINDSCREEN RUBBERS (the front molding)
by Lorne Goldman at
the eMOG PUB
There are two types of Morgan windscreen rubber and they go different ways. The earlier rubber is made to fold back under and, indeed, was made to accommodate folding windscreens. It is flat and longer. The later rubber has been used from late 1969 on all cars (but the 4/4s) and from 1977 with the 4/4s as well, until today. ALL Plus 8s, saving the proto-type, had the newer rubber. It is the shorter and mildly arched and to turn it under is not advisable. If you attempt it, it will take much effort to fold the rubber under and require more than one person (3?) to refit the screen and force it into position.
Of course, if folding windscreens are retro-fitted, the cars switch to the earlier version.
Both types of rubber are
available, you must ask for the right one, innie or outie. (smile)
WINDSCREENS HEATED (Souring Replacements)
January,
2011 (updated April 2014)
In 1997, Morgan decided
to recess the dash, hoping to create more tummy room for newer owners.
This eliminated the space for the air vents that were used to demist the
windscreen and necessitated made-for-Morgan heated windscreens.
Though these do a quick and often superior job in demisting the windscreen,
they can only be sourced at the Factory now. The price will be approximately
1000£ installed..depending on what country you live and they will
provide only the entire windscreen package or glass and frame. The screens
are ususally back-order..and waits can be months. If you crack one while
traveling, you must make do as best you can or replace it with a non-heated
screen (see above) and buy an inexpensive fan demister from a USA supply
source.
There have been complaints
that the inside of the unheated windscreen can "speckle up" with drops
when driving with the top down in the rain. Carry a shammy with you.
CAR WARRANTY
There are three types of car warranties. A. MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY
B. DEALER'S WARRANTY
C. THIRD PARTY WARRANTY
|
Windscreen Installation: 2005 Morgan Roadster
by Rick Frazee (for the Roadster Group)
1. The new wind screen comes with the complete frame and wiring for the screen heater.
2. Cover the upper half of the bonnet with a foam pad or blanket
3. Remove the four Allen bolts from each side of the wind screen
posts. Note that the bottom bolt on each side is a bit
longer. There is no need to unfasten the posts
4. The wind screen is wedged in place between the two posts by a
rubber gasket. The screen can only come out in the direction of
the front of the Morgan, do not attempt to lift it up. It takes a
bit of pulling to remove the wind screen from the two posts. The
gasket material is glued to the post and should remain in place.
5. Lay the wind screen forward on the blanket across the bonnet. The two wires for the heating
elements
will be evident. They run back under the cap on the dash a short
distance. Do not attempt to pull them out. At this
point if the wind screen is not to be reused the blue and the black
wires can be cut off at the bottom of the wind screen.
6. Drop the steering column down to the lowest point.
7. Remove the center tonneau cover post.
8. Remove
the three Phillips head screws from the dash. One at each corner
and one in the middle. With the doors open the dash will drop down
and can be balanced on the steering column and the closed passenger
side door. By shifting the dash to the right a bit and opening the
passenger door the right end of the dash can be set on the door
threshold for better access to the wires.
9. The two wires for the wind screen come through the top of the cowl and pass through a slot cut in the wood
frame below. They are twisted together and there may be a piece of
tape covering them that holds them in place so the dash can be fitted.
10. The Black and the Blue wire are connected to a two- wire
harness via Lucas bullet style connectors. Wire colors are Black
(Black wire connects) and Green/Orange (blue wire connects) in the
harness.
11. Reinstall
the new wind screen taking care not to put to much pressure on the
wires. There are 4 Allen bolts on each post; bottom bolt is longer than other three. Npw tighten all eight bolts.
12. Take up any slack in the wires buy pulling GENTLY on them on the
underside of the dash. Be sure to re-twist the wires and re-tape
them in the slot.
13. Reinstall the center tonneau cover post.
14. Reinstall the dash. Be sure to firmly hold it up in place when putting the three Phillips screws back in.
15. If you are still using the factory mirror the button that attaches
it to the glass will need to be re-glued to the new screen. It can be
removed by placing a block of wood against it and striking the block
lightly with a hammer. Should pop loose. Most any auto parts store
should sell the glue to remount the button.
16. A spot of good quality black rubber gasket cement on the outside
corner of the bottom gasket will improve its appearance and sealing.
For those of us with a difficult access to a Morgan Agent, you will find the the early Volkswagon Beetle wiper blades work fine with a Morgan or the earlier Land Rover blade rubbers can be used as well.. By the way, for the purists, there are two sizes of Morgan wiper blades (regular and four-seater windscreen which is a tiny bit longer.
You can also simply replace the rubber only. Use silicone to glue-in new rubber for the wiper blades. Two dollars gets you new refills for modern wipers - long enough to do three-four Mog blades. The new blades let the rubber do the flopping rather than the whole blade.. and they work a LOT better than original. (keep the new glass clean..).