102DL3 Windshield Gasket - MCI or Universal?

mqbus767 · August 04, 2019, 10:48:56 PM

I'll need to replace the windshield gasket on my 2001 DL3. The replacement gasket is a single piece with a loop around the "windscreen" (hole that the destination sign sits in. Since I've plated over the opening with some sheet metal, I no longer need the upper part of the gasket.

My question is has anyone reset their windshields using universal windshield gasket material similar to this?

https://www.amazon.com/Window-locking-windshield-windows-equipment/dp/B00NUHRFYE/

I don't have a good feeling about ordering a replacement gasket from MCI and then immediately cutting the to portion off.

chessie4905 · August 05, 2019, 04:18:31 AM

My nephew replaced the windshield gaskets with this on his 4104. He reused the "t's" from the old gasket. Said it works fine. Then, he discovered that Luke just received new gaskets for GM's, which were unavailable.

buswarrior · August 05, 2019, 05:28:09 AM

The newer D models don't have the upper windscreen.

Check that all the D use the same windshield, then the newer gasket, without windscreen, should do what you want.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Oonrahnjay · August 05, 2019, 06:29:27 AM

Quote from: mqbus767 on August 04, 2019, 10:48:56 PMI'll need to replace the windshield gasket on my 2001 DL3. The replacement gasket is a single piece with a loop around the "windscreen" (hole that the destination sign sits in. Since I've plated over the opening with some sheet metal, I no longer need the upper part of the gasket....

Is a photo available showing the "windscreen" with the "windshield"? I'm lost.

chessie4905 · August 05, 2019, 06:43:36 AM

https://www.google.com/search?q=image+of+2001+dl3+mci&oq=image+of+2001+dl3+mci&aqs=chrome..69i57.18725j0j4&sourceid=silk&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=HJ2ikGlBBtHQnM:

Looks like you could just cut off top of factory gasket. However, he may be looking for a cheaper solution.

Oonrahnjay · August 05, 2019, 07:12:55 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on August 05, 2019, 06:43:36 AM
https://www.google.com/search?q=image+of+2001+dl3+mci&oq=image+of+2001+dl3+mci&aqs=chrome..69i57.18725j0j4&sourceid=silk&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=HJ2ikGlBBtHQnM: ...

Thanks, but none of these seem to show the part in question and there are lots of different photos, some with "split-windshields" and some with one-piece windshields. I suppose that it doesn't help that I wouldn't know a 2001 DL3 if it ran over me.

Jim Blackwood · August 05, 2019, 08:38:25 AM

Mine's a '96 and it has a separate glass piece above the twin windshields that has been painted black on the inside. (I think it is a single piece)

I also need to replace the driver's side windshield but am putting it off for awhile.

Jim

mqbus767 · August 05, 2019, 09:57:02 AM

Here's the illustration and parts list from the manual/catalog. The "windscreen" is the rectangular window above the two windshields.

I'd like to use the universal stuff because it's cheaper, but I imagine I'll have difficulty at the corners where the gasket would have to be mitered.

chessie4905 · August 05, 2019, 11:32:52 AM

Everybody takes pictures of the fronts from 2 angles providing poor detailed image.

https://www.busesandmore.com/mci-model-specifications/

buswarrior · August 05, 2019, 01:51:40 PM

The earlier generation D model had a full width piece above the 2 windshields.

Not to be confused with a regional transit destination sign option, with the whole front of the roof formed around the sign window.

The third piece makes trouble, and was abandonned in favour of a solid roof, very similar rounding to the old GM 4104... aerodynamics is aerodynamics...

Leaks, sunshine pounding in, wouldn't stay in the rubber seal, and all of ours were some sort of plastic, which starts showing the strain of all that sun and wind loading, as the years go by.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

mqbus767 · August 05, 2019, 02:13:51 PM

Indeed. Called MCI and they confirmed that the style without the "windscreen" is more of the factory design. The windscreen/sign hole was added to accomodate transit needs. Anyways, the part number for the gasket without the windscreen is 03-27-1742. The rep on the phone said the nominal thickness for the glass in this bus is 1/4". He could not confirm the thickness of the frame, so I'll have to research that more.

Jcparmley · August 05, 2019, 06:55:03 PM

Please let us know when you figure this out. I need to do the same thing. I need a new gasket but I am covering up the upper windscreen.

Quote from: mqbus767 on August 05, 2019, 02:13:51 PM
Indeed. Called MCI and they confirmed that the style without the "windscreen" is more of the factory design. The windscreen/sign hole was added to accomodate transit needs. Anyways, the part number for the gasket without the windscreen is 03-27-1742. The rep on the phone said the nominal thickness for the glass in this bus is 1/4". He could not confirm the thickness of the frame, so I'll have to research that more.

lvmci · August 07, 2019, 08:16:38 AM

Gasket is gone, thanks for the interest, lvmci...

Hi All, I received a new windshield gasket (FENCE is what MCI calls it) new sealed in a box with this clean tear, then they shipped an unbroken one to me. This clean break could be fixed with crazy glue I think. It's for a 102C3, but should work on all MCI 102s and some 96s, it's yours for $50 plus shipping, PM me, lvmci...

luvrbus · August 07, 2019, 08:43:24 AM

C's and D's take the same gasket and windshield fwiw ,I have a heating iron to join those back together

lvmci · August 07, 2019, 09:13:11 AM

Gasket is gone, lvmci...