Windshield Installation in Atlanta?

Dejathoris · 02-23-2010, 10:59 AM

Only 2 threads on this subject, and 1 is almost 9 years old. After reading everything here about replacing glass I replaced the rear window on my 1972 911 with a buddy, but the windshield has been a bit tougher. I have new glass, new rubber seal from our host, and new OEM metal trim, but after 3 hours stopped for the day and now I am thinking about paying (!) a professional to do it. I want someone who is experienced in old Porsches. Does anyone have a good reference in the Atlanta area? This is the last item on my 62 item list I've worked on since Xmas eve when I bought the car, and I can't take another day looking at it knowing this is the only thing keeping me from driving it! Thanks!

w21055 · w21055's Garage

Are you using the rope method? If the trim is on right you should be able to get it in. When I broke mine like a dummy (not trying to put it in trying to get a part of the chrome that had popped out back in ) I could not find anyone that wanted to put in my glass, they all wanted me to buy their glass in Atlanta. I just decided to try it myself and found it not to be too difficult. I wrap the rope around it twice so I have a second pass in case a corner does not want to sit in exactly. Truthfully the rear is harder IMO.
That being said depending on where you are I could come help you put it in, done several now.

Phillip

Dejathoris · 02-23-2010, 11:44 AM

Thanks for your response and offer. Yep, I tried the rope method. Liquid-soaped the rubber seal and body. Problem was the windshield would shift up out of the body channel at the top when we were pulling the rope (starting at the bottom of the windshield). Even had a third guy holding down the upper and lower passenger side corners of the windshield while I pressed on the bottom (middle) and the inside guy pulled on the rope. The lower corners always had a gap to the body. I thought maybe too much soap and probably will try again, but I am stumped now for any "tricks" and nervous about cracking it. What is the best way of getting those lower corners to set into the body channel without stressing the glass?

Elombard · 02-23-2010, 12:30 PM

What part of town are you in, between Phil and I we can brake it for you I mean help you :-)

I think the problem is windshields are not installed like that any more and probably know body knows how to do it? Any of the old school porsche shops could do it, Jack Lewis, Reggie, Franz Blam. They take them in and out of race cars constantly.

w21055 · w21055's Garage

For the record, I broke mine not trying to install it, I had a part of the trim come out and I hit it with the palm of my hand trying to get it back in and it cracked so you have to be careful.

I have done a few now and what I found that works the best is to get the very bottom of the glass to seal as best you can and then push it into place everywhere else. This way it is centered and ready to drop into place.It may stick out a little at the top but that is ok as it will slide down as soon as you start to pull the rope out from the bottom. I then pull the rope from the center at the bottom and walk it slowly to each corner, if it does not start to seal, I will pull it out and go again. Once I get to the corners I push gently on them and also at the top so it will seat itself in as it starts to drop. If the corners go in and the top is not settled it will be in a bind and could break or crack so I try to get the corners to pull up while the top is going in. If it is not exactly sealed on the first pass in the corners I am usually not worried as I know when I come back around with the second pass it will seal, but you do want it to be very close to sealing at the corners on the first pass. It is kind of a feel when your pulling that lets you know it is sealed. We pulled Erik's out twice thinking it was not set at the front only to find out it was.

To me the hardest part is getting the chrome to sit in correctly while it is out of the car. Nothing sucks more than getting done and it pop out at the top so you have to do it all again.

Phillip

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

we usually just have the glass guys drop them off at the shop as we have done MANY more than they know how to do...

tomphot · 02-23-2010, 03:47 PM

Carnutzzz had his done by Art Mastrelli with Triumph Auto Glass in Norcross. Came out great.

Dejathoris · 02-24-2010, 12:16 PM

Thanks all for responding. I will try one more time, very carefully, and if unsuccessful will contact the Triumph place for a quote. I also have a line on a guy who was referred by the glass shop that the body shop that does work for Hennessey Porsche on Mansell Road uses (follow that?). Jack Lewis already gave me a quote, and though he is a great P-guy (he will be doing my alignment), I thought I would try to save some $ by installing myself (and justify to my wife spending the saved $ for another car part). Will let you know if I pay someone and the results.

MJEMotorsports · 02-24-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dejathoris

Thanks all for responding. I will try one more time, very carefully, and if unsuccessful will contact the Triumph place for a quote. I also have a line on a guy who was referred by the glass shop that the body shop that does work for Hennessey Porsche on Mansell Road uses (follow that?). Jack Lewis already gave me a quote, and though he is a great P-guy (he will be doing my alignment), I thought I would try to save some $ by installing myself (and justify to my wife spending the saved $ for another car part). Will let you know if I pay someone and the results.

Why not use Franz Blam Racing?
They do mine and do a great job on the front and rear.
I've always received better pricing from Franz than Jack.

mshii · 02-24-2010, 03:52 PM

I'd suggest Franz Blam Racing too. That guy has been taking apart and putting back together old 911s forever. Even if you wind up doing it yourself, you should take a trip down to his shop just to look around. He and his head mechanic do amazing work.

Good luck!

Dejathoris · 02-25-2010, 10:08 AM

I spoke to Franz himself this morning and indeed he had the lowest quote. He said he has someone come in to do windshield installs. Unfortunately I have to bring the car to him (no windshield is on the car now) so I either install it myself or strap on my full-face helmet and drive 27 miles/or I see if my insurance will cover the towing ...

VMAX1 · VMAX1's Garage

I called Jim Ellis in Atlanta and they gave me the company they use. I believe they are called Glass Doctors, I would call to be sure, thinking there might be a bunch of glass doctors(Porsche imposters). I tried and gave up. It took them about 1/2 hour.

Elombard · 02-25-2010, 01:00 PM

If everything goes right its 15 minutes. If you have to take it in and out a few times maybe an hour?

Are you sure you have the correct glass and seal? If you have 964 glass it might be trickier?

MJEMotorsports · 02-25-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VMAX1

I called Jim Ellis in Atlanta and they gave me the company they use. I believe they are called Glass Doctors, I would call to be sure, thinking there might be a bunch of glass doctors(Porsche imposters). I tried and gave up. It took them about 1/2 hour.

Glass Doctors is a franchise. The one they use I think are based in Norcross.
The prices from them are normally a little high though.

MJEMotorsports · 02-25-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dejathoris

I spoke to Franz himself this morning and indeed he had the lowest quote. He said he has someone come in to do windshield installs. Unfortunately I have to bring the car to him (no windshield is on the car now) so I either install it myself or strap on my full-face helmet and drive 27 miles/or I see if my insurance will cover the towing ...

If the windshield install doesn't work out with Franz, have him do your allignment on your car. You can't go wrong with him. I think he is the best in town. He has the most experience, very fair rates. This guy along with his son work on the Flying Lizard Motorsports race cars. They know their stuff on 911 cars.

He does my cars. I'm a happy customer of his and have used both Jack and Franz so I am speaking from experience.

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

thats funny how FB is 'making a comeback'. he always had a decent rep as far as workmanship, but he used to be WAY high on prices and overselling for several years. Same with JL. It really depends on where you live. There are several top 5ers on the northwest side of town in Cobb.

ruby911 · ruby911's Garage

Michael - quit playing up Franz so much - he will get too much business and we wont be able to get our cars in and out quickly!!

MJEMotorsports · 02-25-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruby911

Michael - quit playing up Franz so much - he will get too much business and we wont be able to get our cars in and out quickly!!

Now that is true.

I just read about people here saying things and since I have used both parties that mainly come up, wanted to give an unbiased opinion on workmanship, price and knowledge.

I'm sure everyone has good and bad stories of all the shops that come up around the Atlanta area. My advice has always been to see the shops, speak to the owners, get pricing estimates and compare all.

I'm a very happy customer with Franz

Dejathoris · 03-02-2010, 09:57 AM

Well ... Interesting responses. I have an appointment to flat-bed it to FB tomorrow for the windshield install, alignment, and check the valve clearances, and to check out his shop.

Dejathoris · 03-04-2010, 10:42 AM

Turns out I still know how to wrench a car, because the glass I had bought, even though the correct part number, was not manufactured correctly. Franz called me to say the compound curves were not correct, so he ordered one from his supplier. I feel a sense of relief, and a little p****ed off, since I probably could have installed it if it was made correctly and saved the money. Anyway, thanks to all who responded. This is a great community. See some of you at Caffeine and Octane this Sunday (Atlanta area).