64 convertable top extremely tight

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 28, 2010 | 08:56 PM

pan

Thread Starter

Navigator

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

From: Markham Ontario

64 convertable top extremely tight

Got my 64 a year ago with a new top, apparently from Carlisle. I seldom use the top but my concern is that if I get caught in the weather and need to have the top in place I really need two stronge guys to help me batten it down and the back never sits on the body/trunk.
Is there an adjustment that I can be made so that this becomes a one man/female operation?

Apr 28, 2010 | 09:03 PM

Bill Irwin

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,640

Likes: 0

From: DeBary Fl. Amateur Radio Operator K3CQR

If the top has been down for some time, it may have shrunk. On a hot sunny day, raise the top, latch to front and leave the back just lying in the holes.
The sun will help expand the top a little bit. Bill.

Apr 28, 2010 | 09:30 PM

rongold

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 1,977

Likes: 195

From: Putnam Valley, New York. Amateur Radio Operator K2NS

Tight top

Yours sounds like mine. It sounds like whoever installed the top installed the 2 canvas straps alongside the rear window too short, keeping the rear bow too high. Like one of the above posters said, latch the front, and leave it in the sun for a while. Then unlatch the front, but leave the hooks connected, and try and push the pins into the latches in the rear. Then latch the front and let those canvas straps stretch. That's what I do after the summer, because once I put my top down, it stays down all summer.

RON

Apr 28, 2010 | 11:19 PM

wombvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 8,918

Likes: 27

From: New Hill NC

You cant leave them down. Every time I put the car up for the year or the night, I put the top up and latch it. The top will stay fitted and last for a long time.

Apr 28, 2010 | 11:24 PM

vt65

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 4,142

Likes: 24

From: Simcoe Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by wombvette

You cant leave them down. Every time I put the car up for the year or the night, I put the top up and latch it. The top will stay fitted and last for a long time.

Apr 28, 2010 | 11:26 PM

rongold

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 1,977

Likes: 195

From: Putnam Valley, New York. Amateur Radio Operator K2NS

Convertible top

Quote:

Originally Posted by wombvette

You cant leave them down. Every time I put the car up for the year or the night, I put the top up and latch it. The top will stay fitted and last for a long time.

I don't leave it down for the whole year, only for the whole summer--I put it up at the end of October when I put it to sleep for the winter. The top was installed in 1989, and it's still going strong.

RON

Last edited by rongold; Apr 28, 2010 at 11:40 PM.

Apr 29, 2010 | 01:03 AM

Pilot Dan

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 5,215

Likes: 447

From: NJ Hockey beer league

Quote:

Originally Posted by wombvette

You cant leave them down. Every time I put the car up for the year or the night, I put the top up and latch it. The top will stay fitted and last for a long time.

That is exactly right! Installed my Al Knock's top in 1991 and it is still perfect doing it this way.

Pilot Dan

Apr 29, 2010 | 07:53 AM

vt65

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 4,142

Likes: 24

From: Simcoe Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by wombvette

You cant leave them down. Every time I put the car up for the year or the night, I put the top up and latch it. The top will stay fitted and last for a long time.

one of our car club members left his down on his '59 all summer, in the fall on a run we got caught in the rain, he tried putting the top up and broke both tabs off his windshield frame it was so tight!