OK… I've run out of ideas on this one. I set my recently purchased hard top on the 62 for the first time the other day, and for the life of me I can't figure out how to get better alignment on the side window. note the top of the window has 1/4" gap at the front and 0 at the back. both sides are similar. I installed a new header seal on the top, as the old one was very crunchy, and the top sits down on the windshield trim well. the gap is good at the door post/windshield frame, the rear side window butts up to the HT side window seal straight….. they can't "all be like that"
I just ordered some new window run felts and channels, as I plan to go ahead and tighten up everything in the door, but I must me missing something on this alignment thing. any new ideas welcome.



Russ

 

Well I haven't had mine on in more than 15 years but I remember it fit a bit better than that, although it was the one that came with my car new. I do remember that I had to close the doors with the windows slightly down so they would clear the top. Bottom line is I don't think many C1 tops fit perfect, that's just the nature of the beast.

 

My fit on both sides is very good. I think you need to adjust the glass to the top. I have not done it in a long time (like 1970), but others may chime in. You should follow the shop manual. Attached are a few pics. Geez my glass looks clean!

 

There are adjustable bumpers just under the trim at the window opening in the top of the door. You adjust them to control how far up the front and rear of the window go. There are 2 of them (memory says) and allow you to independently control the front and rear height.

Edit: Corvette Central part number 281026 for the 4 bumpers.

 

Russ, not sure I can provide any useful info but to me looking at your photo your top appears to be sitting too far forward and a little high on the windshield channel. My first thought was header side weatherstrip causing top to hang high? Are you convinced the header is fully seated against the windshield channel. Does it fit any differently if rear holddowns are loose and top latches closed--does it move rearward and seat better?

 

Or, maybe windshield needs to tilt more forward at the top. I know that causes a series of other window fitting issues which may not solve the problem in the end. I do however feel a better fit can be achieved with any top provided the side rail gutters have never been sprung. You are **** right?

 

Thanks very much Redbird for the pics. the last one is especially useful to me for comparison purposes. unfortunately I really don't see anything that jumps out to show why my window is so katywampus.
one real puzzle to me is the way the weather-strip "block" at the top of the door post keeps the window from extending up into the tops channel. because of the way it's made, it simply can't raise up there, even if the glass was oriented parallel with the opening.


if the rubber block didn't have that little nub sticking out over the glass, then the glass could potentially raise up further, but……..?

I'm aware of the up stops, and have played with there adjustment range, but I'm finding that you really can't change the angle of the top of the glass by adjusting them individually. the first stop that hits is the one that stops the windows travel.

also, by looking from the inside of the car, the header appears to be oriented correctly in relationship to the other nearby trim. there's only 1/8" gap from the corner of the header to the door post (inside), so it can't come down any further. the latches pull down with light presure and the rear mount points all line up satisfactorily.
I don't think the desire for less than 1/4" gap above the front of the window qualifies me as ****, but I could be wrong the windshield can't really be tilted either way without fouling up the alignment of the door post, which doesn't adjust for and aft, and is very good at the moment.

We've recently become friends with a local couple who own a 58 with hardtop, so perhaps I need to go pay him a visit for an up close and personal inspection of how his top fits. in the meantime, I do appreciate any other ideas that I can check on here.



Russ

 

I do hope that is a smiley face as I meant the remark as a compliment having watched your work. I know you will solve this.

Just a caution if you are trying to compare any measurements on your friends 58 top with your 62: side rail rain gutters are shorter at the very rear back window area, 1/4 window vertical channels, header and fiberglass top are the same 57-62. Good Luck

 

I put rubber shims between the top w/s and top to lower the w/s in the front a little. The shims were 1/16" thick by 5/8" wide by what ever length you need, 2' or 3' or?. I used glass webbing for the shims. This is not my idea. This is what I had found on original tops.

 

Oh ya. no worries tg. definitely a smiley face there .

I'm mostly interested to see how everything comes together at the front corner of the side window on his 58.

Russ

 

Hi Russ,
Here are a couple of shots from my '62 with it's original unrestored hardtop.
The window does not go all the way up into the top seal channel, it rests against the top inner seal, and sits just up a bit in the outer one.
As you can see, for about the first inch or two along the top on mine, it is a touch low, but after that it sits just inside the outer top seal.
Here are a couple of pics, hope they help, let me know if you need more of specific points.



Paul

 

The top angle of the glass is adjusted via the curved track on the inside of the door. There are two star washered phillips head screws holding it in, and the top hole is slotted. As the roller comes up the track, the position of the glass (tilt) is affected by where the top of the track is located (fore/aft). Adjust the rubber bumper stops all the way up (for maximum window travel), and then adjust the tilt with the curved track. When you are satisfied with the alignment, turn the top stops down to the glass.

Mike Coletta

 

OMG Paul, are you trying to blind me with that blue. here I've spent the past 6 months trying in ernest to rid my 62, and the entire free world, of that exact color

all kidding aside, that is a very useful picture however. shows me a great closeup of the rubber block and how it settles into the corner there, with the window up. I figured the window didn't actually go up into the channel, as the door couldn't be opened or closed at that point, but the nub on that block still makes me wonder just what the engineers were thinking that day .

I think Mike may have saved the day in the end however. for which I am grateful. I owe ya a beer Mike . I haven't actually gone out to look yet, but I know the curved track to which you refer, and look forward to locating said adjustment slot, and playing with it.

I'll let ya'all know how it goes

Russ

 

Based on your posts I'm pretty sure you would have checked this, but here goes: are you sure the weather strip on the front of the hardtop is not installed backwards? I had a '57 with a newly restored hardtop that had the same problem and finally discovered the backward weather strip. Turned it around and the top fit lower on the windshield and solved the problem. I do not know if your top is like a '57 but just thought I'd throw this out there. Good luck - Kent