Another quick forty five minutes.

It has been crazy busy around here this past month. One Sunday afternoon (two weeks ago) my wife and I managed to poke and prod at the rear windshield rubber gasket corners until they finally seated in place. And, I did a couple other little things here and there that were uninteresting and “unbloggable”. But finally, after trying to connect with him for a few weeks, Chris came to pay a quick visit. In a flurry of activity, we got a ton done!

But first, by request from a blog reader, I promised to post a picture of Chris's homemade filet tool. This instrument installed both of the locking strips into the front and rear windshield rubber gaskets.

 

When he was done using it today, the rear windshield looked like this.

 

Both of us agreed that the quality of both the rubber and the mold for the rear gasket were nowhere near as nice as the front windshield. And it shows by the gaps in this corner.

 

Chris also managed to find that there was a short in the steering wheel ground that prevented the horns from working via the horn push. He just had to scrape a little corrosion off of the steering wheel hub. The horn system works beautifully now!

 

And finally, he adjusted the new choke cable so that it works smoothly from full open to full close. The old one was just plain worn out.

 

The dashboard knob on the new one has the fan picture on it. Somehow I have to get the original “C” back on there. I will figure it out this winter.

 

Next I will concentrate on getting the doors working properly. There is a lot to explain. That project will start next week. Then, I can take her for her maiden voyage!!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

The rear windshield saga continued…

It is nice to know how many people actually read this blog on occasion! I only have one follower but receive many messages, some of encouragement and some with advice. This week will be about a tip I received from a fellow ADO16 owner. He suggested trying the age old “string method” to install the rear windshield. I watched the “My Classic Car” YouTube video where two fellows install the rear window of an old pickup truck. It looked easy enough! OK, I thought I would give it a try!

 

First step, install the rubber seal onto the rear window. Check.

 

Next step, put a string down in the groove of the rubber that will wrap around the car metal, lubricate it with dish soap, tape the string in place to keep it from falling out. Check.

 

Next step, get my wife to help and convince her to get in the car to pull the strings while I stand outside the car pushing on the rear window. Check. My wife did not want her picture taken so we will skip to the next step.

Next step, cuss and curse because the corners would not seat properly. Check.

 

The cord started to dig into the rubber corner miters so we had to stop. We at least got the top part installed so the window will not fall out.

 

This 90 degree corner requires another method besides the string method. Since the window is not seated properly, the locking strips cannot be installed. I need help on this one…and not just my wife.

 

I did manage to find a Wingard rear view mirror in my MG Midget parts stock pile. I had to paint the rod black since the mirror plastic was black.

 

But it turned out fine even though it is not the original gray color.

 

To at least feel good about something this week, I installed the rear view mirror. Shhh, please do not tell any concours judges or the "correct police" about the color. Maybe they will not notice.

 

I will have to do some research and give a few phone calls for the rear windshield dilemma. School is back in session so my time will be limited, yet, progressive.

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy