1915 Runabout Windshield

[dr1960]

Please bear with me as i tell this story. on my '15 runabout, the windshield glass was cracked and i wanted to replace it with safety glass. so i got the windshield off the car, divided the two halves, and removed the glass and brass channel. the windshield frame is really rusted out. so i decided to buy a new upper and lower frame from one of our parts houses. to my surprise, the lower frame came in 3 pieces! the one i took off my car was one piece, nicely welded at the corners on a 45 degree angle. the top frame with the rounded corners was an exact match, except for the predrilled holes in the frame where the hinges screw through the frame into the filler block. the new one had holes higher up on the frame. my hinge brackets will not work with that. i am really puzzled. investigating, i believe the 3 piece lower frame is correct, with brackets on the car that the lower frame rivets to. my car does not have that setup. wondering if it is either an aftermarket windshield frame or from a later car that was modified to put on mine? Any ideas on this would be helpful. i currently have a pile of parts that won't play together. pictures attached

Please help!

[Kerry]

All I can tell you by looking at it, that the screen body mounts that have the clearance lights on, are later than 15/16. so a mix of parts?

[kmatt2]

Your lower windshield mounts are the mid 1917 to 1918, non starter to 1922, with the side light mounts The 1915-16 and early 1917 cars had riveted lower frames. The hinges in your picture look to be the unequal offset type also for mid 1917-22. The 1915 to mid 1917 windshield used equal lengjt hinges. You could try to get parts exchanged for a 1918 windshield.







i

[George House]

What Kevin said ....

[Steve Jelf]

Here's my lower windshield frame. I believe it's correct for 1915.

The right side upright rusted and broke at the top of the bracket and I'm replacing it with a "new" one cut from a junk frame. I'm waiting for rivets to arrive before I install new rivets, paint, and reassemble. The frame is three separate parts, not welded together but riveted into the brackets. The brass channel is also a bottom piece and two separate side pieces.

[dr1960]

well, that would explain my confusion. thanks all for the input. i also attached some pictures of the hinges.

so i can send back the '15-'16 windshield frame i have and order a 1918 windshield frame and be good with the mounts and hinges, just not correct for my car. OR, find correct mounts and hinges, and do the riveting of the lower frame to the mounts. I do not see where i can order the mounts and hinges for a 1915 from the usual parts houses. Anyone know of a source, if i go down that path? eventually, i would like to have it correct for my car.

thanks,

David

[RajoRacer]

Those appear to be the correct "equal" length hinges - your w.s. frame mounts are incorrect - I might have a pair or Hank might.

[kmatt2]

Your close up pictures show the correct 1915-16 equal length hinges. I was wrong in looking at your frist picture from the angled picture. You could try Model T Haven, on line, to see if they have the correct rivited hinges or post wanted add here. I am sure someone will have a set to sell you. Good decision to make the change to correct parts now. Enjoy your T.

[kmatt2]

That should read correct lower windshield mounts

[KWTownsend]

Yup. Absolutely correct.
Now, tell us about the ALF.
Looks like a rig from the teens?
Chemical or combination?

: ^ )

[RajoRacer]

Figured you'd a "eye spyed" that, Keith !

[RajoRacer]

I only have a riveted driver's side mount - I believe Hank Lee had a matched set a couple weeks ago available.

[dr1960]

thanks all for the help. The ALF is a 1919 Triple Combination Pumper. was delivered from the factory to El Reno, OK, as their #2 truck. My dad purchased it from Peidmont, OK, fire department. it had been stripped and had a water tank in the back to fight grass fires. My dad restored it over a number of years. The pneumatic tires are not original, an upgrade in the 1920's. it does have a chemical tank.

David

[dr1960]

thanks to hank lee, i have a set of the correct windshield to body brackets on the way!

Steve Jelf, what kind of rivets are you using to attach the windshield frame pieces to the bracket? I really can't find anything on what to use, and am a novice with riveting.

Thanks,

David

[Steve Jelf]

The holes are too big for 3/16" and too small for 1/4", so I went on a search for 7/32". I ended up ordering hinge pins from Jim Dix (Big Flats Rivet Company). All the other rivets I found in that size were too short. See the Big Flats website for help on how to rivet.

[dr1960]

Thanks Steve! Great info!

-David