1936 Ford Roadster Wind Wing Installation

[40fordcrazy]

Recently purchased a very nice 36 Ford Roadster. The drivers side wind wing fell out already. I found out this is a common problem. Bad design? Ive ordered a set of Wind Wing clamp pads. Any one had good experience on installing them? A certain adhesive? Thanks Any help appreciated.

[Floyd]

After market stuff is , well, aftermarket. Not always so good. One thing that a lot of people don't think about is that the Ford "bug" on the glass is etched and adds a little bit of roughness which helps slippage of the glass. You can also add some more "roughness" if you have some hydrofluoric acid.

[Don Rogers]

Unfortunately the Ford bug is not near where the clamp/support attaches to the glass on a 36 Roadster.

[DavidG]

Make sure that the rubber pads that you ordered are completely rid of the release agent used when molding rubber parts. It's slippery and negates the friction characteristics of the rubber. I'd further rough up the inside of the pads with course Scotchbrite or sand paper to enhance the rubber's coefficient of friction. Of course you will want to check the combined thickness of the glass and the pads compared to the width of the openings in the clamps to ensure that the fit will be tight. If not, you might have to add something to create a snug fit (old credit cards, etc. come in various thicknesses and can be very useful in a number of ways, this being but one). I would only use an adhesive as a last resort as the original design did not use it and if you are using black-edged glass as original, the adhesive could cause deterioration of the edging in short order.

[Kube]

DavidG has pointed out something very important... the requisite fit of the glass to the bracket.
I have found most replacement glass these days approximately .015" thinner than the authentic pieces installed in our old Fords. While that may not sound like much, it's everything in a case like this.

[Don Rogers]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Here is the glass thickness spec for the 35-36 wing glass.

[40fordcrazy]

Thanks Don I appreciate all the help and your advice. Dale

[40fordcrazy]

Thanks David what you said makes good sense and helps.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Don Rogers

Here is the glass thickness spec for the 35-36 wing glass.

Don, as always you really come through.

I am amazed at the wide tolerance of the glass thickness.

Makes me wonder how Ford controlled the bracket installation?

[dave collette]

when i restored my car years ago i had the same problem. I talked to my friend Carl Strutts ( now departed)who had many several roadsters and phaetons. He said that all his cars had the glass installed using two sided adhesive tape that is used for adhering side moldings in modern cars. Problem solved ,no more glass falling out. I hope this helps. Dave Collette