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Having just spent the majority of 5 days getting the convertible frame to seal and fold properly i noticed something as I was doing a final fold down check today. the front bar doesn't seem to be centered in the storage compartment. Is this normal? mounting points to the body seem to be correct, frame was restored and straightened by Sullys in California. Thoughts? Seems to fit really well everywhere when in up position. Suggestions? Drivers side passenger side
Jerry, It looks pretty good. Just use a 2 X 4 or something, and "tweek" in over while it's in the top well. You can lift it a little, to get some clearance/leverage, but do it in the down position. It looks like the left side is a little low??? Might just be the angle of the picture. Good job!!
I believe the problem is in the tension bar adjustment. Loosen the top bolt of the tension bar mount and back out the bottom bolt just enough to let the bar pivot but not slip down. Then slowly lower the top into the bucket. The tension bars will pivot and align the frame in the bucket. I usually do this after the canvas is installed as a final adjustment. However, I am sure they were not perfect from the factory.
I believe the problem is in the tension bar adjustment. Loosen the top bolt of the tension bar mount and back out the bottom bolt just enough to let the bar pivot but not slip down. Then slowly lower the top into the bucket. The tension bars will pivot and align the frame in the bucket. I usually do this after the canvas is installed as a final adjustment. However, I am sure they were not perfect from the factory.
Not sure what tension bar is? If its the articulator arms them i'm really Leary of this because I believe this will affect fit around window, won't it?
Last edited by jerry gollnick; Jul 17, 2019 at 06:05 PM.
Reason: additional thought
Not sure what tension bar is? If its the articulator arms them i'm really Leary of this because I believe this will affect fit around window, won't it?
Yes, sorry I refer to it as the tension bar but the correct name is the articular arms. I don't blame you for being leery as it will affect above the window. That is why you only loosen the bottom bolt enough so it will pivot.
I just learned this procedure about 5 years ago from Clint Coffman of Coffman's Corvette tops in Mansfield, Ohio. I was leery also but I found that it works so well that it is now part of my installation procedure. I found out about it because sometimes I would have a perfect alignment but the top would be very close or even hit the deck latch spring. It works like a charm. The alignment above the windows will not be affected if the articulation bar only swivels and does not slip down. You can scribe ( or mark it in some way ) if you are worried.
Jerry, It looks pretty good. Just use a 2 X 4 or something, and "tweek" in over while it's in the top well. You can lift it a little, to get some clearance/leverage, but do it in the down position. It looks like the left side is a little low??? Might just be the angle of the picture. Good job!!
Tried the 2X4 and it worked surprisingly well. By the way your help in walking me through the adjustments was invaluable. Thank you. Jerry
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
1961 convertible frame centering.
