Let's see, while you're working your next pipe dream, we're still trying to make the last one come true.
The pinch weld is being welded in
And the gaps between the new pinch weld and the chassis are closed off with shaped metal fillers being welded in. Along the base of the windshiels and on both "A" pillars.
We sat the windshield on it to see what it'll look like.....
Looking from inside, someone needs to clean the glass soon. The windshield really look like a steep angle from here.
Archie
[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 02-19-2007).]
Of you could just mount high pressure air vents at the base of the windshield and just blow the water off the windshield.. If we're going to go high-tech, we might as well go all the way!
But seriously, two things come to mind for me... Either raise the hood scoop a bit and put a center mounted wiper like you would find on an Enzo, that would lay flat on one side of the other at the line of the hood when not in use... Or a mechanical cowl like an old Corvette has that raises when you turn the wipers on but lets them slide down below when not in use... Personally I like the center mount.
[This message has been edited by Songman (edited 02-20-2007).]
Actually I just searched ebay and there are tons of Mercedes single wiper systems out there and for half the cost of the unversal cable systems. I think I'll go the Mercedes way, if I can get someone like Riceburner to help be design the interface to be able to control it..
Actually I just searched ebay and there are tons of Mercedes single wiper systems out there and for half the cost of the unversal cable systems. I think I'll go the Mercedes way, if I can get someone like Riceburner to help be design the interface to be able to control it..
Crap! The eBay item number is 280083266842 but now someone has bid on it and the Buy It Now is gone. Oh well, the bid is at $9.99 and there is 1 day 18 hours left in the auction.
Mercedes uses single arm controlled as shown above. It has that little extra cam in there to make the arm pivot as it goes across the windshield. A little more complicated but worth it for range of vision.
There is a company called Bonrath that makes a single wiper conversion that is popular with the VW crowd. They recommend a place called CFI Motorsports for the kit which is a little over $200. I tried to reach them but their website is down and no answer on the phone.
I had a similar idea to use the MB single wiper. Haven't looked at it much yet, but I agree the 190E is probably the easiest to get it from and might be the cheapest.
My friend's '93 190E has the single wiper (which is funky to watch in action); I might have take the measuring tape with me to work and get the length of it.
Most of the times I've done a single wiper before, I've used the Fiero motor & head unit & modified the wiper arm/blade. Then you you don't have to make an off model fit the GM wiring & controls. In this case we need to find is an articulated arm that goes where we want it and fits the GM hub.
Most of the times I've done a single wiper before, I've used the Fiero motor & head unit & modified the wiper arm/blade. Then you you don't have to make an off model fit the GM wiring & controls. In this case we need to find is an articulated arm that goes where we want it and fits the GM hub.
Archie
you should be able to fit the GM motor to this arm assembly your fabrication skills are excellent
And Archie you won't have any reason not to chop t-tops after you perfect the Eclipse windshield.
I can't find my original post but on the 1st page of this thread https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/043073.html is a copy of it & it explains why I'm not interested in doing a "T" top chop. Very little of that reasoning has anything to do with the windshield.
Mercedes uses single arm controlled as shown above. It has that little extra cam in there to make the arm pivot as it goes across the windshield. A little more complicated but worth it for range of vision.
I saw an old SL500 in the parking lot today and it had the single wiper. I could confirm from the wipe pattern on the glass that it used the controlled pattern. Pretty cool looking.
I saw an old SL500 in the parking lot today and it had the single wiper. I could confirm from the wipe pattern on the glass that it used the controlled pattern. Pretty cool looking.
You didn't see any Lotus Elise in the parking lot did you? I like that one too.
The operation of the Karl Molden (hideous scoop) will be surgically removed on Thursday. Now the "World of Mankind" as we know it, shall have peace and so will Karl. J/k
Judging from the initial MRI, Karl hideous bump will be sculptured ending in a sleeker & smoother for easier flow of it's airways. Karl will soon roam the, "Streets of San Francisco" free from shame.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 02-21-2007).]
I have a few questions: What is the width of the top of both old and new windshields? How wide is the stock windshield 3 vertical inches down? After the chop, how much does the windows have to angle in? What I'm getting at is if you look at a trapezoid, cut 3 inches of the middle and lower the top, the sides have to angle in. But if you leave the sides normal, the top has to expand. By going the route that's becoming popular with the tilted windshield, why not leave the side angle stock, thereby using stock glass door windows, find a windshield that fits the new dimensions? That little area by the side mirror is about 3 inches, right?
[This message has been edited by Gokart Mozart (edited 02-22-2007).]
But if you leave the sides normal, the top has to expand.
Mr. Orville on his first two choptops, he expanded the roof to reduce the needed inward angle of the side glass. Not to mention, he used a different front windsheild. This also means, Orville had to sacrafice a Fiero for the needed section. Is Orville's way better? Yes, if you want less of a curviture for the side windows but,.....end the end, he'd still need custom glass because of the reduced height of the roof.
EDIT: The operation was a success. Karl is recoperating at Machessney Park Hillside manor, hehe
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 02-22-2007).]
I have a few questions: What is the width of the top of both old and new windshields? How wide is the stock windshield 3 vertical inches down? After the chop, how much does the windows have to angle in? What I'm getting at is if you look at a trapezoid, cut 3 inches of the middle and lower the top, the sides have to angle in. But if you leave the sides normal, the top has to expand. By going the route that's becoming popular with the tilted windshield, why not leave the side angle stock, thereby using stock glass door windows, find a windshield that fits the new dimensions? That little area by the side mirror is about 3 inches, right?
The stock window is still wrong if you just move the top straight down and widen it. Even if the curve of the window was correct, the front edge of the glass would still not be right. You would effectively, be not rolling the window all the way up too so the window would hit the top seal before it ever got close to the a pillar.
Orville's first lesson is that you cannot build a car and then find a windshield to fit. You have to build the car to fit a specific windshield. That is why the one T-top chop that was started has never been finished. Chopping the car and welding it back together would have been the easy part. Hoping to find a windshield to fit would be kind of like trying to win the lottery.
That is why the one T-top chop that was started has never been finished. Chopping the car and welding it back together would have been the easy part. Hoping to find a windshield to fit would be kind of like trying to win the lottery.
Yes, I'm watching this thread because I intend to finish the t-top chop top by re-welding the windshield frame to match the curve of a known windshield.
Yeah, I knew you had ended up with the car. And I have every faith that you will do it.
At one point I talked to Orville about helping me chop my Formula using the extra T-top roof I had using his system. But then I sold the Formula and then the roof. Thanks goodness I was saved from the madness!! haha