Does anyone (Barry or Brett) know if the sight glass in an early u280 is threaded into the radiator? Or is it brazed in? Mine leaks some and I don't wanna break stuff trying to remove it the wrong way. Thanks!
On the oreds the sight glass was threaded in, do not remember about the u280, but believe it is threaded in also. You have to be careful when removing not to break the glass. I think that I have one at home, but am not there right now and will probably not be home for a while
Thanks. I'll go take a look and see what's what!
On my '91 it's threaded and has the hex shape for a socket.
Looks just like these: McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/#bull's-eye-sights/=q6fc30)
What I have is a round sight glass that has to glass ears that you attempt to get a grip on without breaking anything. I replaced the o-ring, put some sealant on the threads, and reinstalled. We'll see how it goes next time I fire it up but I bet that's the end of that...
Jay, the sight glass that is round with the 2 ears is what our 84 had and is also like the one I have at home. I bet that the o ring and thread sealant will fix your leak.
This is a truly great forum. I have every confidence that wben it comes time(tomorrkw, if I have any sense) to have the windsbield gaskets replaced, that someone here will know precisy how much it will cost and the nearest shop in the PNW to take it to...
If It was me.... If I did not have major leaks around the WS gaskets I would wait til WS's needed replacement and do gaskets and glass at the same time. Taking old glass out and replacing it can be a real crapshoot, probably no problem but the smallest chip on an edge or a chip that is waiting to spread will do it at the damnedest time.
FT has the gaskets and 4 years ago cost was about 150 bucks. Glass of course HAS to come from FT, no matter what The installer tells you.
Gary B
It's the glass that's scary. I will call FT one fine day and see what the pricetag is but I really, really don't wanna know!
Jay, 95 U280 GV WS's were right at 1100 bucks each shipped. My insurance carrier paid for them. They were 15 years old and had many many rock chips and sand blasting from use. Insurance carrier did not hesitate to fix them. In my case Duncan Glass was the adjuster for Progressive. Beware of Duncan, deal straight with your carrier and don't hesitate to call their claims MANAGER if you need help.
Gary B
Fantastic info. The glass is in perfect shape, they just leak a bit. Thought I had them sealed up but after the last drive they seem to have opened up some.