One piece Windshield?

[Wildhorsesracing]

Howdy all,

I have a 1962 M20C and I am thinking about replacing my windshield(s) with a one piece replacement piece from L P Aero Plastics (Part #199) - has anyone done this and what was involved?

[MooneyMitch]

Yes I have and it is labor intensive.  There are specific instructions that come with the new 1 piece unit.  Grinding, cutting and drilling with the proper tools are a major portion of the labor, along with removing the old sealant around the inner window frame. 

There are others on MooneySpace that have done this so stand by and you will get lots of good information.

[Oscar Avalle]

As Mitch mentioned, it is labor intensive, but really worth while.

 

[Immelman]

I did this mod for my 66E and am quite pleased. I was billed about 9 hrs labor for this, and I did the R&R of the interior trim bits, as well as dealing with mounting the compass on the center post and painting it.

I did 3 out of the 4 the side-windows myself (paid my A&P to teach me how to do the first one), but the windscreen was too big for me to bite off an chew. Just removing the fasteners on the old windshield required removing radio racks for access.. some of those are very tight.

[MooneyMitch]

"Just removing the fasteners on the old windshield required removing radio racks for access.."

I do believe on the C model, as with the E, F and G models, by removing the top exterior avionics access panel, all the lower windshield screws and nuts are accessible.  I don't recall having to remove any radios or their trays.

 

[Sven]

Quote: Immelman

I did this mod for my 66E and am quite pleased. I was billed about 9 hrs labor for this, and I did the R&R of the interior trim bits, as well as dealing with mounting the compass on the center post and painting it.

I did 3 out of the 4 the side-windows myself (paid my A&P to teach me how to do the first one), but the windscreen was too big for me to bite off an chew. Just removing the fasteners on the old windshield required removing radio racks for access.. some of those are very tight.

[Immelman]

Quote: Mitch

"Just removing the fasteners on the old windshield required removing radio racks for access.."

I do believe on the C model, as with the E, F and G models, by removing the top exterior avionics access panel, all the lower windshield screws and nuts are accessible.  I don't recall having to remove any radios or their trays.

 

[Immelman]

Quote: Sven

Not meaning to hijack this thread but what was the process and what glue did you use on the side windows?

Thanks

[KSMooniac]

I've assisted with side window replacement, and think Immelman's description is spot-on.  The sealant is called out in the service manual and should be easily sourced through an MSC or other aircraft parts distributor.  The side windows actually qualify as owner maintenance, believe it or not!  It isn't particularly hard from a skills point of view, but it is tedious.

[MooneyMitch]

Ditto on Immelman's detailed description of the process.

[jetdriven]

Scottfromiowa recently did this and he posted an excellent writeup.

 

[DrBill]

Jim, One important fact is that the screws holding the window on never touch the window directly. The holes are larger and ALL the screws must not make contact with the window.  If they do, the vibration of the plane will eventually cause a crack to start where the screw touches the plastic.  On my previous plane, we had to remove the trim and lower screws when replacing the firewall. A year or more later a crack appeared. We stop drilled it and it was fine but we found it was caused by the screw shifting just a bit.

You have to be precise when locating the holes for the screws.

BILL

 

[Lood]

While going through all the trouble, why not go the distance and install a 201 style windshield? I'm not sure what the difference in costs are going to be, but the 201 style windshield is very much worthwhile in both performance and cosmetically.

[Wildhorsesracing]

Quote: Lood

While going through all the trouble, why not go the distance and install a 201 style windshield? I'm not sure what the difference in costs are going to be, but the 201 style windshield is very much worthwhile in both performance and cosmetically.

[flight2000]

Quote: Wildhorsesracing

A 201 style windshield is $2500 + installation vs $500 for a 1 pc. Plus I was told by the local avionics shop to wait on the 201 windshield until after the avionics upgrade I was planning as the older style windshield makes it easier to get to the back of the panel.

[rbridges]

Quote: flight2000

That is just your avionics shop whining.  I had the 201 windshield put in before my avionics upgrade and it didn't take any longer or cost more than if I had done it the other way around.  I had a new panel built and they did 90% of the work and testing on the bench versus in the plane.  Sure, the mechanic still needs to spend some time on his back hooking things up, but that is the same with a lot of airplanes, not just Mooney's.

If you want the 201 windshield, my recommendation is do it right the first time.  It takes a smidge less in labor for the one piece, but it's still surgery on the plane.  I'd do it the first time and be done with changing windshields.  If you prefer the one piece because it still retains the avionics access, then it's a wash.  Just saying...

Brian

[DrBill]

I like the 201 look but I don't think it's worth the $ difference.  I'd rather spend the money on the cowl upgrade. More knots per $. Also the 201 upgrade removes the access to the panel. I'd much rather work form the top than laying on my back.

BILL

 

[gregwatts]

I, too, am from the political party that endorses the 201 windshield!

[jetdriven]

The 201 windshield gives you 3 knots. No other single mod gives you that, in that price range. And, you can set your ipad and headsets on the glareshield, and the cabin is quieter in flight.  It also adds its entire cost back in resale value.

[danb35]

I agree about preferring to work from the top.  However, don't the cowl mods require the 201 windshield too?

The 201 w/s definitely looks better, though.

[Hank]

Quote: gregwatts

I, too, am from the political party that endorses the 201 windshield!

[Seth]

Though the one piece does look good, I too would suggest with all the man hours invovled just going the distance and getting the 201 style windshield.  If the modification is still possible, I agree with Hank to get the 201 style windshiled with the avionics access on both sides - was that the SWTA 201 mod? 

It is.  Here's the link:  http://swta.net/mooneymodpictures/windshieldmodpictures.html

 

-Seth

[flight2000]

While I love the avionics access panels, that's just one more place water can get in if it's not sealed correctly after the work is done... and that can get expensive in a hurry with the $$ tied up in some of our panels. 

Brian

[MARZ]

I did the lasar mod - and for my taste it gives better access than the side panels in the SWTA mod.  albiet not as much as the original vintage panel. 

[Alan Fox]

The 201 windshield is for looks .... There is virtually no speed increase and you lose the awesome access to the panel.....also it is a lot more than 500 dollars to install a 201 glass , In my opinion 9 hrs to install a one piece is a fantastic deal , A cowl closure will give you the best speed increase , about 5 to 6 mph , the Flap gaps will give a little too , everything else is a joke when you consider the expense vs the speed gain.....