1993 Windshield questions

To buff the dashboard on my 1993 project I removed the windshield. Apparently the windshield had been moved before. Here's why I say that:

1. The screws holding down the entire front windscreen were able to be pulled out by hand. No screwing necessary, just lift and pull. Save for one screw in the middle, they all were like this. The holes were either stripped (unlikely since the holes looked good) or they had been replaced with screws that were too small (more likely). Interestingly, the screws were the same type and size as the screws I removed to take off the rub rail.

Question 1: What size and type of screws should be used to hold down the windshields in a 1993 SN?

2. There were extra holes drilled into the vents that had no screws in them. I removed the vents. Both are cracked and will need to be replaced.

Question 2: ANY ideas where I can get replacement 1993-style plastic vents? These are the ones that go under the windshield.

3. The sealant was brittle and for the most part non-existent.

Question 3: What type of black sealant goes under the windshield?

Onward I go. Any help is sincerely appreciated. I should post some new photos. The boat is nearly completely stripped at the moment.

Kevin

Sorry you got left out there on this one. The only thing I know about 93 windshields is they're allegedly a little tough to come by. So, be careful!

Not sure if this is correct or not, but I came across some threads that said the windshield has to come up for some reason, to get at the horns on these. So, if you search for 93 horn, you'll get a little info on removing the windshield. Also, why you've got it off, test to make sure your horn works.

I know "Invisible Glass" by Stoner is a really good glass cleaner. Babes' Boat Bright seems to be good for letting new water drops bead off.

I just pulled the windshield on my 87 they sound similar. i was surprised the screws were not a little more substantial. A few seemed stripped but with the angles of the glass and the pressure they create the screws seeem to act more like pegs, once a few are in on both sidew the weight of the glass sems to wedgy them in. I reused waht remained of my seal. it was completely covered by the alluminum frame. I thought about getting a black weatherstrip just narrower than the fram to use in its place. I to am fighting water spots on the glass. I had heard wd40 but is was messy and not very effective. I think mine have been there long enough to etch a little and I dont know what will help them now.

I've got this feeling that the loose screws are intentional due to thermal expansion problems. Way back when I was at Watercraft sales, the "bottom of the line" piece of junk they handled was a Mark Twain. They would come through to us from the factory and we would need to finish the rigging. The big item was the windshields. The frames were through bolted but we had to drill oversize holes in the deck and then not completely tighten down the fasteners. The supplied "Nylock" nuts for the bottom side of the deck so keeping them loose wasn't an issue.

Wow, that brings back some memories!! Those Mark Twain's were the biggest piece of SH*** around. The windshields NEVER fit!!!!   

The shorter Mark Twain's were the worst since they came though with the 4 cylinder Merc OD's. Those things would "shake rattle and roll" to the point you thought the whole hull was going to break apart!! The damn windshields at the hinged out walk though to the OB, would vibrate to the point you though the glass would break!!

Kev - Ammonia is one of the key ingredients to glass cleaner... you could try a resonably strong mix with water to get the spots off.   Another thought is to try finesse it.   you 'll probably have some to buff your hull.   just buff the glass with a CLEAN wool pad.   go easy on the pressure, but the windshield should polish out :)