Does the Windshield provide any structural intergrity to an eBody???

[70GranCoupe]

Hi Everyone!
I need to remove my windshield but I already removed the inner fenders, rad support (but not the lower connecting the frame rails), left side cowl side panel, portions of the cowl and will be cutting out the left firewall from the inner fender bracket to the cowl side panel (already removed). The car is supported by jack stands and rear tires now. My question is should I do the repairs and replace all the removed panels before removing the windshield or should I pull the windshield and repair those areas at one time?
Either way is OK, I just don;t wanna risk any problems with alignment of panels or messing up the straightness of the car.

Thanks!
Sean

[ChallengerHK]

I'm far from a bodywork expert, but my understanding is that the windshield is integral to any unibody design.

[ShelbyDogg]

I would pull all of the glass. Any grinding by them will ruin them and the hot grindings will burn into the plastic layer.
The glass doesn't add that much strength with that 1/4' of rubber sealer.

[70GranCoupe]

Good point about the grinding! I didn't even think about burning the glass. Thanks again! Sean

[ShelbyDogg]

Welding is even worse.  You should see my windshield.

[70nos340 barracuda]

i also learned the hard way! welding by the glass! take the windshield out and do the repairs!

[JCWCuda]

Not to mention what happens if you Sand blast near any Glasss , it becomes FROSTED 

[Wang]

Pull your glass for your resto... It offers NO structural integrity to you vehicle.
they were held in with Butyl tape (soft rubbery very sticky ) but has no structural value like urethane windshields on current day cars.

[70GranCoupe]

Thanks for the info WANG! This is my first restoration my buddy is helping me he was concerned because we removed the cowl side panel, a portion of the left exterior side of cowl, inner fenders, rad support top and sides (bottom section still intact). We just finished putting in a patch from a donor on the left firewall yesterday (will download pics when I get a chance). The car is supported on jack stands in the front and he didn't want to pull the glass until we had the panels back in place. So if I may ask again, regardless of what body panels have been cut out or are off the car pulling the windshield will have no impact at all?

[FeO2 bucket]

All the stress is taken by the windshield pillars . None on the windshield itself. Go ahead and pull it. You will probably have to fix rot in the windshield channel anyway.

[Wang]

 

[ChallengerHK]

Pull your glass for your resto... It offers NO structural integrity to you vehicle.
they were held in with Butyl tape (soft rubbery very sticky ) but has no structural value like urethane windshields on current day cars.

I've said it before and i'll say it again: I learn something new every day