Page 1 of 1
#1 Quarter light window fit issues on a S1 3.8
Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:01 pm
by ysmalkie
I am finishing the restoration of my '63 S1 3.8 FHC and am having quite a problem with the fitting of the quarter light windows. They simply sag too low and are not parallel to the lower edge of the rear wing edge.
The car was not damaged in any accident, no roof work was done on the car.
On top, I found a photo of the quarter light prior to restoration:

and it looked just as bad!
The other side is and was no better - another photo prior to restoration:
I know I should have seen it earlier, but obviously i did not - I did not notice the situation when disassembling the car.
There is some movement on the upper and lower mountings of the quarterlight hinge, but it's not enough.
Are there any tricks to solve the issue?
Tadek
#2 Re: Quarter light window fit issues on a S1 3.8
Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:17 pm
by abowie
About all you can do is oval the mounting holes in the chromed support the window attaches to and move the top forward a bit and the bottom back a bit in the hope that by changing its angulation you'll be able to lift the bottom of the window up.
#3 Re: Quarter light window fit issues on a S1 3.8
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2021 5:05 am
by Allrand
There should be some movement in the captive nuts holding the pillar, allowing you to raise the rear edge of the window slightly. You'll probably have to remove the pillar completely to free the captive nuts so they can slide about a bit (use a penetrating lubricant to free them up). You'll have to accept that doing this will change the alignment with the door frame slightly.
Alternatively you can strip the glass & frame completely together with the seal, bend the frame to fit, reinstall the glass with some lubricant in the seal {probably have to replace the paper seal} to allow the glass slide slightly in the frame to find the correct position without distorting the frame again, a real pain I know beause I've done it
#4 Re: Quarter light window fit issues on a S1 3.8
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2021 6:18 am
by tinworm
Or send me the hinge pillar and I will make a new brass foot for it with some extra offset and silver solder it on for you. You will have to get it re-chromed though.
Barrie
#5 Re: Quarter light window fit issues on a S1 3.8
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 12:10 am
by ysmalkie
Many thanks Gentlemen - this is what I thought: no magic is possible..
There is some movement on the captive bolts, but not enough to make a change needed.
I have to first fix the door trim, then work on the quarter light trim. I guess this is the correct order.
I think the idea of bending the chrome quarter light frame is most interesting.
Thanks so much for your suport!
Tadek
#6 Re: Quarter light window fit issues on a S1 3.8
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:01 am
by abowie
ysmalkie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 12:10 am
I think the idea of bending the chrome quarter light frame is most interesting.
Tadek
Having done this more than once, ovalling the holes is a lot easier.
#7 Re: Quarter light window fit issues on a S1 3.8
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:10 am
by ysmalkie
Many thanks Andrew for this tip - I thought more of cutting the top of the oval frame , but it's more troublesome as you need to reposition the screw holes..
Tadek