Top/Deck lid interference
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
I'm guessing convertible. It's got to be that your bows aren't completely folded or somehow jambing which is preventing the deck lid from closing. Can you see where it's hitting?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Spring Texas
Do you have a new top? Vinyl or Stayfast canvas? A new vinyl top with correct pads should fold up no problem. There would not be significant deck lid clearance though. Only 1 or two inces. None at all if you have the deck lid bumpers. Non standard top material may be thicker and not fold as compactly.
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Yes, as I stated it's a new top and it is vinyl. The bows are completely folded. It was hitting on the two vertical window weather strips so I removed those. Now the top release handle hits the front header and the passenger side deck lid release cable hits the top latch. I can get the driver's side to latch with force but the passenger side just wont latch. I've also tried all sorts of adjustments to the latches. Any body else had this problem?? Roger B.
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Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by Frankenvette
Do you happen to have the rubber bumpers that mount on the deck lid itself? If so, are they hitting the folded top?
Another thought - as I lower the top, just before it reaches the lowest postion the back most (lowest) bow is raised. The window bends and the other bows kind of fold themselves into it. I stuff a soft, old towel into the crease of the window as it folds on itself to keep it from scratching.
Last edited by Z-man; Feb 16, 2006 at 12:30 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
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From: Spring Texas
If it latched before the new top was installed, but won't latch now, you may have some issues with your installer. But first, sit the car out in the sun to heat the top up. with the windows down, latch fronts, then rear. If it works that way, but not with windows up, you need to adjust the windows - new weatherstrip on the top may be part of difference. Sit the car out in the sun with the top up and latched for a few days to heat stretch the top a little.
When folding the top away, look for material bunching up (especially top pads) near hinge areas, creating a thicker than normal fold. If it can't be adjusted to fold, and the latching tips don't work, take it back to the installer.
When folding the top away, look for material bunching up (especially top pads) near hinge areas, creating a thicker than normal fold. If it can't be adjusted to fold, and the latching tips don't work, take it back to the installer.
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Thanks for the replies. I have done all of the above, plus I found that the new carpet and jute backing was too thick so I cut out a section of the jute under the carpet where the top frame laid. That helped but still wouldn't latch properly because the top frame was just barely touching the deck lid so I loosened the 2 frame attach fasteners and moved the passenger side frame back just a little bit. That did it and now the deck lid closes. Whew! Now I'm a trained professional for Top Stowing for a '68 Vette!! Roger B.
