Windshield frame
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Care to elaborate with your question? Are you looking for limits on what extent of degradation is acceptable?
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville FL
dannyman brought up a good point with the electrical issues. my water leak in my 80' is right by the fuse box in my car... something to keep in mind also. im going to try to fix mine myself if at all possible.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Electrical issues could result from corrosion depending on where the leak is located at. Depending on the car the floor boards would rot out!
Condensation inside the car will cause rust on other parts like the dash bezel center metal backing plate, the shift console mounting brackets, the vacuum operated pods for the AC and or any other item left in the car bare when manufactured. It’s just not smart to let the water roll in. Even if you did do something drastic like stuff silicone in the frame to try and stop it, this would be better than letting the water come in.
We did a 1977 about 10 years ago and you would have though the car was made in the Flintstones age! You could remove the seats and stand in the car and touch the ground.
As mentioned above, this is your only protection should the car roll over! The longer the hole is present in the frame the more damage it will do!
IMHO,
Willcox Inc.,
Condensation inside the car will cause rust on other parts like the dash bezel center metal backing plate, the shift console mounting brackets, the vacuum operated pods for the AC and or any other item left in the car bare when manufactured. It’s just not smart to let the water roll in. Even if you did do something drastic like stuff silicone in the frame to try and stop it, this would be better than letting the water come in.
We did a 1977 about 10 years ago and you would have though the car was made in the Flintstones age! You could remove the seats and stand in the car and touch the ground.
As mentioned above, this is your only protection should the car roll over! The longer the hole is present in the frame the more damage it will do!
IMHO,
Willcox Inc.,
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,173
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi P07,
I'd say if enough of the windshield frame at it's base is rusted away, you'd begin to lose the stability in the hinge pillar, so that the doors would become difficult to open and close. It would have to be really serious, but.... there have been some INCREDIBLE rust pictures posted over the years.
Regards,
Alan
I'd say if enough of the windshield frame at it's base is rusted away, you'd begin to lose the stability in the hinge pillar, so that the doors would become difficult to open and close. It would have to be really serious, but.... there have been some INCREDIBLE rust pictures posted over the years.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Phila. Pennsylvania
Yes, wondering how much damage before anything serious would happen.
Worst case scenario is that the top would collapse in a roll over? Not sure where you are heading with this question. The windshield frame is a structural support for the windshield and t-tops. Water infiltration would be a constant source of irritation and only lead to more structural and possibly electrical issues.
Care to elaborate with your question? Are you looking for limits on what extent of degradation is acceptable?
Care to elaborate with your question? Are you looking for limits on what extent of degradation is acceptable?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
You should post pictures of the damage or at least describe what the condition is and identify your concerns.
If a couple of small holes, no problem; however if the integrity of the frame is questionable then you need to put a price on your safety.
I guess you could relate the condition as riding a motorcycle without a helmet. As long as you don't need the helmet you're OK, but when you have an incident/accident; it may have been an excellent idea to have it wrapped around your head!
Got pictures?
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 200
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From: Finksburg Maryland
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a convertible, and if this car rolled over, I have a hard time believing that the windshield frame wouldn't collapse, whether it was rusted or brand new.
Race Director
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Finksburg Maryland
Thread Starter
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From: Phila. Pennsylvania
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Kingston Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Pin holes wouldn't concern me a great deal as long as the water issue could be addressed by some sealant. You could always remove some inside trim at pillars and kick panels and determine the amount of corrosion.
