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MG MGB Technical - windshield center rod required?

I just received a new Moss MGB/MGC catalog in the mail (Spring/Summer 2012 edition).

I was surprised to see a roadster on the front cover of the catalog with the center rod removed. It also had what appears to be a windshield mounted rear view mirror.

So here's my question: Is the center rod absolutely necessary?
Steven Rechter

I noticed that, too.

I talked with Kelvin Dodd (Moss USA) today, but forgot to ask him about the invisible center rod/gravity defying rear view mirror that was shown on that B.

Personally, I think that was photoshopped.

I'm no engineer, but I believe the center rod is there to provide stability to the windscreen frame, especially when the hood is attached to the frame.

I could see the force of the air on the hood pulling the frame up and away from the glass without the center rod.

YOMV
Rick Ingram

Steven. "So here's my question: Is the center rod absolutely necessary?"

Define your question. Is this factory installed piece necessary under each and every condition? If you say that this factory installed piece is not necessary, and I delete mine, will you buy me a new windshield if my top is damaged, or my windshield is damaged, as a result of your advise?

Each owner should be allowed to conduct his/her experiments and, hopefully, will fully describe the results of such experiments.

In the mean time, the factory felt the rod was necessary.

Les
Les Bengtson

I installed a windshield frame mounted rear view mirror from a late model MGB in our 66 MGB so I could have the dimable mirror for night time driving. The mirror bracket has the mounting for the center rod, so there is no reason not to put it back in. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Les, I simply asked an engineering question given Moss's advertisement.

That in itself does not indicate that I have taken a position on the merits of removing the center rod.
Steven Rechter

Yes, but how thick or rigid is this rod? Does it really strengthen the screen within its alloy frame which is considerably thicker? Or was the rod there to reduce mirror vibrations? Nice to have a (ding dong ) debate with our members like this. Mike
J.M. Doust

Steven. I used the Moss "good as OEM con rod bolts" on the advice of Kelvin Dodd. Engine lasted less than 300 miles before two of the bolts stretched and let go. Make up your own mind. The second loss of an engine due to inferior quality parts, from Moss, over the last ten years. Make up your own mind, as I have suggested.

Les

PS Moss never offered to even replace the bad bolts, nor the bad oil cooler line. Think about this.
Les Bengtson

Wow. This thread took a turn I didn't expect.
Rick Ingram

Yes, it is needed. When the top is up, considerable tension is put on the windshield frame and it serves the purpose of keeping everything in place. It is an integral part of the windshield assembly and should be retained. RAY
rjm RAY

Ray, glad to see that you and I concur regarding the center bar...as well as the thread digression. :)
Rick Ingram

Here's the cover...

Rick Ingram

A very definite YES to the question "is it necessary". Since it's solely to resist a tensile force it's well up to that job. It's interesting that the image still has the top and bottom brackets in place, but I want a hover mirror like that!!
Allan Reeling

Here's comments from Kelvin Dodd, Moss USA regarding the cover car:

"Unlike some other catalog covers, the Moss ones are not made up by photoshopping perfect cars onto pretty back grounds.

The cars are real, the locations real and all the catalog cover shots are done in the same area which requires shuttling cars to the location and back to their owners.

Yep. The criticism is justified. The missing support rod and glue on mirror is a bit tacky and an educated eye would have caught it. I am still invited to proof all the publications, but this round I was too busy working on other projects that hopefully bear fruit in the next couple of years."
Rick Ingram

The old TR6's did not have any windshield rod, did the MGC's? Actually Moss could have presented the catalogue and said, spot the errors for a free entry to our monthly prize etc,,, Mike
J.M. Doust

Yes, MGC tourers use the same windscreen as MGB tourers.

Here's my 1969 MGC...

Rick Ingram

And TR6 have a substantial built up steel beam across the screen, much stiffer than the narrow aluminum of the MGB.

FRM
FR Millmore

Nice Photo Rick. Did that bird leave a 'calling card'! I did not know that about the TR6. I had one many years ago, wish I had kept it ! Mike
J.M. Doust

Rick, on the last cover they showed an early '70s B minus the three windshield wipers. It took me a few minutes to spot it. And get that rotten poop machine off of your windshield! RAY
rjm RAY

When I bought my 65 roadster the windshield rod was cut off by the DPO. No mirror either.

When driving with the top up the center of the top frame rail deflected substantially. You could see the top of the glass below the gasket.

The rod is critical to the lightweight windshield frame integrity.
Robert McCoy

Robert: Nothing like a real time test under actual conditions to settle an issue, thank you.


And thank you to every else who helped return this thread from a one man's rant to a gentleman's discussion.

Steven Rechter

This thread was discussed between 22/02/2012 and 26/02/2012

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