Dimension Differences - 28/29 vs 30/31 Windshield Frames

[Bruce of MN]

One of the windshield swing arm pivot nuts fell out of my '31 Coupe. In looking in the Bratton's catalog for a replacement, it appears that the earlier cars had a sleeve nut and the later cars had a press-in nut. I plan to buy the earlier style nut and bolt to suit the bracket riveted to the frame, but it raised a question on windshield frames. My frame hits the gas cap when swung out and rubs the cowl when I try to close it.

Were 28/29 windshield frames slightly taller than the 30/31 and my car could have gotten an earlier replacement frame at some point?

[Brentwood Bob]

The glass dimensions should be the same.
The hinge can be distorted at either end from being hammered apart.
Possibly, the hinge is loosened from a deteriorated header.
The early frame interchanges with the later frame to my experience, which is limited.

[ronn]

Bruce, mine has done the same. time is all telling.

[Neil Wilson]

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

One of the windshield swing arm pivot nuts fell out of my '31 Coupe. In looking in the Bratton's catalog for a replacement, it appears that the earlier cars had a sleeve nut and the later cars had a press-in nut. I plan to buy the earlier style nut and bolt to suit the bracket riveted to the frame, but it raised a question on windshield frames. My frame hits the gas cap when swung out and rubs the cowl when I try to close it.

Were 28/29 windshield frames slightly taller than the 30/31 and my car could have gotten an earlier replacement frame at some point?

For 1928-1929 a strip of fabric type friction tape was used between the windshield header and windshield hinge. If you use the vendor sold windshield frame rubber gasket (incorrectly listed as 26-31), the windshield will hit the gas cap.

[Bruce of MN]

Above the frame there is a rubber strip that looks like the gasket in the Brattons website. Is there a tape that you recommend? I see Home Despot has a 3M friction tape. I guess I didn't ever look for it, but I assumed that plastic electrical tape replaced friction tape 50+ years ago!

I'll have to investigate and see if I get to the hinge screws by lifting the frame as far up as I can, if I decide to replace the gasket with tape. I hope the frame is sound!

[Bob Bidonde]

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The difference is between straight and slanted windshields:

[Neil Wilson]

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

Above the frame there is a rubber strip that looks like the gasket in the Brattons website. Is there a tape that you recommend? I see Home Despot has a 3M friction tape. I guess I didn't ever look for it, but I assumed that plastic electrical tape replaced friction tape 50+ years ago!

I'll have to investigate and see if I get to the hinge screws by lifting the frame as far up as I can, if I decide to replace the gasket with tape. I hope the frame is sound!

I have not searched for the friction tape in years. So, no help there.


To remove or lower the windshield hinge requires the A-79385/86 coupe pillar finish strips on each side of the windshield be removed. This requires the A-79712 front belt rail finish strip to be removed. To unbolt the hinge requires access to the square nuts in the windshield header. So the upholstery must be removed. So, lots of work.

[Tim Ayers]

3M still makes friction tape and it can be purchased in the electrical section of any Lowe's and Home Depot or jobber supplier.