NEED HELP - Convertible Decklid Adjustment
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4
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NEED HELP - Convertible Decklid Adjustment
Wondering if anyone can offer any help- Trying to adjust the convertible decklid on a '69 350/300 numbers match car. I recently purchased the vehicle, and a semi-quasi restoration has been performed, body-off. When the springs are attatched to the hinges, the rear of the decklid sits higher than the stationary rear panel (where the gas tank is under) by a good 3/8 of an inch. At first, I thought to check for adjustment of hinge assembly. Found none. From there, I thought maybe the new gasket on the decklid was not allowing it to close completely, so I removed the gasket. Still didn't help. At that point I decided to remove spring tension from hinges to check to see if the decklid would actually go down far enough when attatched to hinges to sit even. IT DID! So, in a nutshell, the decklid will sit flush(or even below flush) with no spring tension on hinges. Before I try to modify spring tension (which could be a real nightmare), I was wondering if I'm missing something simple. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,381
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
There should be shims under the bottom of the bracket that the spring is attached to. You could try removing them (If it has any installed). I'd also check the adjustment of the latching system. There is a procedure in the AIM (you did buy and AIM right?). Between the two I bet you can get it adjusted. Hope that helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Johnston Iowa
If they are the factory springs I have a hard time believing that is the problem. There has to be something that is not allowing it to line up correctly. The hinges are not out of wack or something are they?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4
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Originally Posted by theandies
There should be shims under the bottom of the bracket that the spring is attached to. You could try removing them (If it has any installed). I'd also check the adjustment of the latching system. There is a procedure in the AIM (you did buy and AIM right?). Between the two I bet you can get it adjusted. Hope that helps.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,381
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Originally Posted by bigblockstock
Unfortunately, no shims (first place I started). Latching system seems to be adjusted properly, as the front of the cover fits well/latches easily. I don't mean to sound silly, but not familiar with the term AIM- assuming its the Assembly Instruction Manual?
Thats correct!It may be that your latch in front is pulling the front of the deck lid down too much. This may cause the rear to pull up.....like a teeter-totter. My deck lid sticks up a little on the passenger side but like you, if I remove the weather stripping it fits good. My weather stripping is like a rock so I need to replace it. That will probably fix my problem (I hope
). I’m just starting to get to the body and interior so I am leaning as I go like everyone. The AIM is invaluable. I’ve had my right hand door glass, regulator and tracks out today. I cleaned/lubed everything and put it all back together. I adjusted the door glass per the procedure in the AIM to my Hard Top and now I am ready to adjust my convertible top frame to my door glass. After that I’m tackling my soft to installation. This all on top of working 70 hours a week.
good luck!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Brookfield IL
You guys inspired me to try to adjust my decklid this evening. Here's what I initially noticed-- the weather stripping was much thicker and harder than the replacement weatherstrip piece I bought a year or two ago from Corvette Central. Looking closer I noticed that when the decklid was open, it was not sitting flush against the two brackets. The bottom bolt on each bracket was loose (the bolt closest to the hinge). I tightened them down with a 1/2" socket. Now when I closed the decklid the rear had dropped and looked pretty close to flush. Wish I would have investigated this one a long time ago!
But I know the thick weatherstrip wasn't helping either- maybe it even contributed to the bolts coming loose over the years. So using some pliers and a putty knife I tore off most of the weatherstripping this past hour and now am left with yellow glue and bits of rubber everywhere. Any tips on removing this remaining stuff-- maybe something like laquer thinner? Although with that I'm guessing it will remove the paint as well. Maybe some kind of adhesive remover that isn't as nasty on paint?
Also-- when I install the new weatherstrip-- what adhesive is recommended?
Thanks everyone-
But I know the thick weatherstrip wasn't helping either- maybe it even contributed to the bolts coming loose over the years. So using some pliers and a putty knife I tore off most of the weatherstripping this past hour and now am left with yellow glue and bits of rubber everywhere. Any tips on removing this remaining stuff-- maybe something like laquer thinner? Although with that I'm guessing it will remove the paint as well. Maybe some kind of adhesive remover that isn't as nasty on paint?
Also-- when I install the new weatherstrip-- what adhesive is recommended?
Thanks everyone-
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,381
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Good find.
Look for some of this to clean weather stripping glue.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/dept...BAE7BC6419171F
Look for some of this to clean weather stripping glue.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/dept...BAE7BC6419171F
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by JustForFun
let me ask...during the restore, did you install new hinge plates where the hinge assembly bolts to the floor?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Heres what i think. There are 2 different sets of hinge plates. 68-69 or 73 and 74-75 plates.
There is a 1/2 inch difference in height of the two. Ide almost bet you have the wrong ones installed and thats why its sitting too high.
I found this out during my conversion. I ended up buying both of them and using the set that fit...which was perfect. The other set the hinge sat too low. I shipped back the other set.
There is a 1/2 inch difference in height of the two. Ide almost bet you have the wrong ones installed and thats why its sitting too high.
I found this out during my conversion. I ended up buying both of them and using the set that fit...which was perfect. The other set the hinge sat too low. I shipped back the other set.
Last edited by JustForFun; Jul 19, 2006 at 08:28 AM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by JustForFun
Heres what i think. There are 2 different sets of hinge plates. 68-69 or 73 and 74-75 plates.
There is a 1/2 inch difference in height of the two. Ide almost bet you have the wrong ones installed and thats why its sitting too high.
I found this out during my conversion. I ended up buying both of them and using the set that fit...which was perfect. The other set the hinge sat too low. I shipped back the other set.
There is a 1/2 inch difference in height of the two. Ide almost bet you have the wrong ones installed and thats why its sitting too high.
I found this out during my conversion. I ended up buying both of them and using the set that fit...which was perfect. The other set the hinge sat too low. I shipped back the other set.
