Steve59

Does anyone know the size of the brass fittings that go between the hoses and the pistons on the 1959 power top set up? Where can I get them? I need three.

I have a complete set of original hoses, the fitting on the long hose that goes to the bottom of the driver side piston is broken at the piston end, can this be repaired? Can I get just that one hose? can I get that fitting? If so, where?

Thanks for your info.
Steve

Steve59

any body? bump

Steve59

ttt

mike coletta

I've bought a lot of power top stuff from these guys over the years. You might give them a call. http://www.hydroe.com/

Steve59

thanks Mike for the info. I'm just getting into this and was installing the pistons when I realized the lower inlet is a different size/configuration than the upper inlet, The lower inlet has the brass adapter but the upper looks like the hose can be directly attached without an adapter. The upper inlet has a flared seat while the lower one does not, is that correct?

mike coletta

Steve, it's been so long since I messed with those things. I think that they were all the same fittings. Have you done a search on this forum.? It seems like Rich Mozzella (rich5962) did an extensive rebuild on one. Here is the link https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...power-top.html

There are some good pictures. This should help.

Steve59

yes I have and he's been very helpful. I have saved pretty much all he's documented. I guess I'm coming late to the power top party, but I've assembled some parts and decided to install them. As I'm doing so, I'm coming across issues most of which I've been able to figure out using Rich's and other's info they have posted over the last few years, but some issues have surprised me and I'm not able to find the answers yet. Again, thanks for the leads and your help.
Steve

Steve59

an update to my scavenger quest for power top parts. There are at least 3 different designs of the power top pistons.

A. Those pistons that have female flared seats/inlets already built in them at the top and bottom. The hoses will attach directly to them, not requiring a brass fitting adapter.

B. Those that have a female flared seat at the top inlet and and a pipe thread type female inlet at the bottom, necessitating a male pipe thread/female flared seat brass adapter at the bottom. The hose will attache directly to the top inlet but needs the adapter for the bottom inlet. Why this design? Makes no sense to me. May have to do with the pressure in the line/piston.

C. Those pistons that require the above mentioned adapters on both the top and bottom inlets.

The good news is I have the type B above pistons and don't need the top adapters, the bad news is I couldn't buy them anyway, can't find them.

My other problem was the long hose to the bottom of the driver side piston, that hose fitting is broken. Bad news, can't buy just that fitting, good news is that Hydroelectric will sell the hoses individually. Thank you Amanda

Steve

mike coletta

Steve,

Just a thought. I did a 57 one time, where everything looked really good (hoses and fittings). Rebuilt the pump, and replaced the cylinders. Got it to work perfectly. Finished the car (Venetian red, with ivory interior). Went to put the top down about two months later, and blew a line right in two!!! No signs of anything being worn, no rubbing, no cracks or cuts. It just blew in half. Completely ruined the interior on the car. I never did another without replacing ALL of the hoses........

Steve59

Mike:
I read that others have also recommended new hoses and new wiring to prevent just what you indicated, a complete mess of fluid in the car and, as far as the wiring, a really good chance of a fire somewhere along the harness. I will keep all of that in mind if and when I get to the 'lets toggle the switch and see what happens" point.

I'm also amazed at how they designed these cars with everything running inside ie. the heater system, the windshield washer system, the hydraulic power top system, 80% of the wiring, very few fused circuits...... good old WWII technology.
Thanks for your advice.
Steve

Redbird

Look up Joe Maulsby on the ncrs site. He has done extensive research on power top.

vetteman64

If still looking, you might give Sully's Tops a call. I plan to add a soft top someday (original brackets were in the car, restored, reattached), hope they are still in business when I get around to it.
C Ya, Joseph Rock
Frankenstein 59

Steve59

thanks for the lead.