Center Window Post deletion - your thoughts?

[hharney]

When replaced, my original windscreen was the original, 1968 installed at Cessna. When I replaced mine I purchased from Great Lakes Aero Products and it was the same thickness as original. That was the only option, no option for thickness as I have never seen an STC for thicker windscreen. Saying that I would not be surprised if the 336 had a thinner windscreen and when Cessna designed the 337 they settled on what we have today. Mine is a "C" model so I could be referring to only up to a certain serial number. On GLAP website it lumps serial number 2 - 1426 as all the same replacements. I kept my center strap because I was told it was there to hold the top of the windscreen because if enough stress is on the fuselage it could pop out. After struggling for hours, days trimming and fitting the new windscreen I found that there is really not a whole lot holding that windscreen in place at the top. Of course today's Pro-Seal is probably stronger than the old sealant that Cessna used I still kept the center strap. Besides I like my compass suspended. I have seen several center strap deletions and they do look nice.

Please do not use Silicon Sealant on your windows. Pro-Seal is the only way to go

[JAG]

Thank Herb for your info and to Dave as well for the follow up. I have made the decision to just stay with the center strip and keep things original. Probably because I am struggling to see any large benefit over the additional work and cost of the STC mod. I think the mod is good, but I am very used to VFR flight looking through center strips and v-braces on my Stinson.

If I have time, I will try to post a bit after I finish this job. I am replacing all the windows and just ordered them today from Great Lakes Aero Products (GLAP). Clear on the Windshield and grey tint on the rest of the outer windows. The Windshield from GLAP is the same as my original at 0.250" thick (1966 C337A). Having replaced windshields in Boeing 737s and Lockheed Hercules, this one should not have many surprises - however I can see some time spent fitting will be required. I am planning at this point to install much like Cessna did at the factory - use the felt and the Presstite Sealer - but finish seal the exterior trim with PRC.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts - and keep them coming!
Jeff

[cessnadriver]

JAG. FYI, I have 1965 C337 and the wind shield was replaced a year before I bought it. It has the center support post and I don't see any problem with that. BUT A WORD OF CAUTION-please be sure to over size the holes in the wind shield to prevent cracks in the glass. The A&P and previous owner did not and there are two small cracks, that I had to repair, in the hole for the compass. I also see a benefit to having the post so the Compass and OAT gauge has something to mount to. I replaced the whiskey compass with a vertical card but I did have to drill an extra hole through the support and wind shield. By removing the old compass mount the extra hole was needed because the Vertical card compass had to be moved upward for clearance.
Regards, BILLS

[JAG]

Bill,
Yes - thanks for the reminder on the drill size. I was planning to drill the holes 1/4" for the 3/16" screws (1/16" larger) - I think the general rule of thumb is to make the hole 30% larger. I too have the Vertical Compass with a nice mount, and that is a big reason I am sticking with the center strip as this (and the OAT) mounts so nice already and saves me having to make a new dash mount.

Thanks again for the feedback.
Jeff

[cessnadriver]

JAG. Thanks for the reply. Hope yours comes out better than mine.
Regards, BILLS

[n86121]

I went with vertical card compass mounted on glare shield.

Keeps everything nice and open,

It's the former helicopter owner/pilot in me.