Hi Guys & Gals.... I have a 1960 with a convertible top. I have yet to use the top because it just don't fit!!! It is not the original top and I don't know how old it is but it is in very good shape. I have made so many adjustments to the folding top assembly and no configuration seems to give me enough slack to close both the front and back locks. Is it possible the material shrunk since it was first installed? Where should I start? Anybody have any secrets or tips that might help me figure this out? :confused:

thanks for your help!!

 

...i know less about a 60 than i do about a 65 or 66 but my roadster is a PITA to set the convertible top...i first set the back pins on the first stop and then catch, in the open position, the front latch, go to the back, snug that down and then set the front latches securely...kinda front and back, front and back


[Modified by Kid_Again, 6:18 PM 2/3/2003]

 

Jim,
Welcome to the forum! :seeya
Yes tops will shrink when not stretched...put up. You should never store or leave the top down for any extended period of time. That said...now how do you fix yours? I would get the top very hot....good 100degree summer day..and get it latched in the back and slowly weight to top front to stretch it back out. It might just work....other than that the top must be replaced.

 

As others have said, they DO shrink, especially when stored folded down. What to do? Do the back latches first. Get a steamer...one of those little hand held gizmos. Borrow your wife's hair dryer. Put it outside on a 100 degree day. Get it hot and work it. Adjust the latches first to the loosest position and get it latched there. Then work it with more heat. This could take days....maybe weeks.

It might stretch out. If not, call Al Knoch :) Chuck

 

As stated above, they do shrink!

Adjustment of the top on a C1 can really be a lot of "trial & error"! First off, I won't pretend to be an expert, but have gone through the process.
If you have the ST-12 manual, it will give you the basics. If not, please get one from one of the many suppliers (Corvette Central has them for sure).

Since the top is in such good shape, it is possible that it was installed incorrectly and never will fit! I doubt that, since any competant installer would of verified his work (wouldn't he????????????? - mine didn't, so there is always that possibility).

The following is the method I found useful.

Start with attaching the top to the windshield header, and clamping them in place (but do not attach the rear hold-downs), and then loosening the outer plate nuts that support the pivot plates (not the inboard plates - leave that for later fine tuning).

Now raise or lower the outboard plates so that the top weatherstriping is at the correct hgt. for the side windows (assuming that the window adjustments are correct to begin with), and also move these plates fore or aft so that the top is "tight", and then tighten the nuts. This is the initial position to see if the rear clamps can now be clamped in place. If not, then readjust these outboard plates as necessary (probably several times!). The inboard plates are adjusted to ensure that the side weatherstriping and bow does not form a "V", but is straight across to match the top of the side windows.

Note that when folding or unfolding the top during this process, it can contact the catch mechanism on the raised deck lid, if the top position is incorrect (check this each time before blindly folding the top across this catch and doing damage to the top!).

There is also adjustments on the top itself for the front header location, but that is normally only adjusted when the top material has been removed.

I am sure that others on the forum can give you more info as needed.

Good luck,


[Modified by Plasticman, 6:08 PM 2/3/2003]

 

Thanks Guys, Your replies are great food for thought. :thumbs:
They give me some good ideas. I will try the stretching bit this summer, when the weather warms up. I will play with the adjustments some more this weekend. I have read in some other forum topics about a video on installing a new top. Would this be any good for my problem? If so where can I purchase this video? What about getting someone locally that installs or repairs newer cars tops? Would they have the expertice? I really appreciate your feedback.... once again thanks. :hurray:

 

Someone local can do your top. It is IMPERATIVE that the frame be properly adjusted first. I would not trust a top shop to do this. I made that mistake once, but only once. Also, they like to install the tops banjo string tight. The factory top was not that tight and one that is can/will actually break your windshield frame.

 

Be very careful trying to stretch that top to fit. I broke the back latch and damage mounting point where the latch screws into the frame and it doesn’t take all that much pressure. A friend bent the frame that goes over the window trying to stretch his back into shape. I ended up replacing my top.

 

I think we have to assume that the top did fit, and did close at one time. No installer would "install" a top that wouldn't close. :) So, that leaves shrinkage. As others have said, be careful, and don't get too heavy handed, because you can break something. Chuck

 

Chuck,

I have to disagree (mildly). Per my earlier post, my installer did install the new top that would not latch at the back (no way, no how!), and poorly at the front! I ended up doing the readjustments myself, rather than have him try when he did not know how, and had no inclination to fix it properly. The top fits great, and was a bear to readjust, but I am very happy with it (now). It was a great learning experience. And frankly, I welcome those (as long as the end result is worth the effort).

Plasticman

 

Thanks everyone for the replies....

Plasticman.... When you finally got yours to fit, was it all in the adjustments of the pivot points or was it some stretching as well?

BLACKJACK JIM... :auto:

 

Blacklack Jim,

Since it was a new top, no stretching was required. It was just way out of adjustment! This is a Haartz Sunbrella material top (canvas type material - same as on the newer Vettes, and used on boats as well) which is not as prone to shrinking as is the vinyl. Note that before giving the Vette to the installer, I had marked and removed the top bows, header, plates, etc. so that I could refinish them. Also replaced all of the hardware so that it would pivot smoothly & look "new". I reassembled it back in approx. the same locations, but am sure it was not in the exact same place. However, the front header did latch smoothly and the rear bow mated to the rear deck & attachment points, and the upper side plates (over the side windows) were straight and level - not forming a "V"). Then, I wrapped each bow in towels, and folded them into the top area for driving over to his shop (of course it had to rain on my way over!). He stated later that he had to realign the top bows/plates quite a bit before attaching the top straps & material (we also replaced all of the weatherstriping). However, like I said, when we attempted to put the top up at his shop, it would not attach at the rear latches and we had to give the front header some help to get the pins to go into the windshield header. He said that I should leave it out in the sun, and they would then latch. This did not sound right, since the top had only been attached the day before! We went round and round, and finally I said I would try his "sun" idea, and if it did not work, I would be back. I also know that he was under the gun to get some other work done for other customers, so I know that influenced him. As I said earlier, I eventually readjusted it myself, and am glad I did.

I also replaced the windshield weatherstrip later, and found the 2 windshield side posts were broken at the mounts (fairly common from what I am told). When I had this repaired, now the top position was off again. So back to the adjustment process. In other words, if your going to do any work on your windshield, do it before adjusting the top!

In your case, I don't doubt that your top has shrunk. So take it easy, and see if it can be attached by streching with the application of some heat. But some adjustments certainly can be made to help. Just lowering the outboard plates will help the rear attachments. Note that there are also vertical adjustments on the rear wire mounts on the inside of the rear bow that will help to some degree. Lowering the outboard plates however, has it limits, since too low, and the side windows will catch the top when closing the doors (when the windows are up).

Good luck,
Plasticman


[Modified by Plasticman, 4:02 PM 2/5/2003]

 

The problem I have is when I crank my windows up the window glass on both sides begins to rub on the weatherstrips that seal the windows. When the glass gets to about 1 inch to the top it becomes very difficult to continue cranking. I'm sure the top (which was new in 97) was installed incorrectly. I'm afraid to start slicing up the weatherstrips but it might be the only fix without replacing the strips.

 

Steinboy56,

2 things come to mind.

#1. The window angle can be adjusted (for how much they lean in or out, plus the min./max. vertical adjustments), and is covered in the ST-12 manual (page 1-14).

#2. Try a light coating of Silicone spray lube on the weatherstrip. It will help preserve the weatherstrip and provide a slicker surface for the windows to slide against.

Note that the various top adjustments "may" affect the windows, and therefore the windows may need to be readjusted as needed, once the top is in the correct position. Don't try to adjust the top for a side window adjustment problem.

Plasticman


[Modified by Plasticman, 11:10 PM 2/5/2003]

 

...excellent information, thanks!

...here's my perspective, strictly as someone who has yet to fart around with the top mechanism (but i will soon enough)....one day i got the bright idea of removing the front soft top female bayonnet mounts attached to the top of the windshield trim.....unscrewed easily and i polished the mounts, cleaned up the screws and, with a song in my heart, i went to re-install them and realized that, for one screw, i couldn't grab the blind nut found inside the frame :banghead: ...well, to make this short, the inside blind nut had fallen out before, bubba somehow put a much smaller nut in, got lucky once and i get screwed so i had to manufacture a nut plate from mild steel stock, open the frame a bit to fit that in (small inspection holes were there from the factory) and I then had to split open the inside of the frame to grab the nut plate and finally got it all back together but i had the ENTIRE interior garnish removed to get this done.. a full day JUST to do that...

regarding the video on removing/installing the soft top, a forumite was kind enough to loan me the tape and, i have to tell you, it just shows common sense...you will get as good, if not better, advice from the forum guys who have done this in the past...NO special tools are required beyond an electric or pneumatic stapler - just be careful that you note everything about how you disassemble the soft top


good luck!

 

My top is so tight it pops the deck lid latch. Besides stretching, is there anything else I can do?

 

Year? There's no clue in your post, and there's no car info in your profile. This thread died eight years ago.

 

this thread can go on forever ! my 61 top sits 1/2 high on back on a hot day! the plus is the deck lid will never see contact , I often wondered did the installer / two owners/20 years ago intend this installation who know`s for sure ! all i do know is the next top will be installed on a hot day with plenty of slack ! my hard top buttons up perfect, I have adjusted more then a few of these tops , any top installer will be under the gun when it comes to a vintage corvette , on a 68 i owned years back I pulled the tack strip trim off and needed to retack that top , I do remember there being slack tucked in there that would be the key, to letting the rear lock down easy .down the road the year before i change my top i will give that a try in the future. for now i will live with 1/2 gap & a black soft top ! white next time around !!!!

 

Hello ,

Do you have pictures that show these adjustment parts? Inboard and Outboard plates????

 

This thread is 12 plus years old????? Why don't you start a new thread, and ask your question??

Mike Coletta