convertible 1968 help please
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: terre haute indiana
convertible 1968 help please
Need some help please. The side tension cables or "hold down cables" were broken/cut ( that run along the side of the convertible top frame in a groove of the new convertible top) and I am replacing them. The problem is the replacements I received appear too short. Also, (and I hate to admit this) I forget the exact placement of the tension cable where it is riveted to the frame at its rear attachment.
1)Does it attach inside or outside the vertical tab at the rear attachment point? Is it ok to bolt this point instead of riviting it?
2) what is the proper length of these cables? The ones I received appear 3 or 4 inches too short. If I lay the cable from the rear attachment point it is grossly short of reaching the front hole where it was screwed in.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have looked for pics on the net for over 2 hours to no avail.
1)Does it attach inside or outside the vertical tab at the rear attachment point? Is it ok to bolt this point instead of riviting it?
2) what is the proper length of these cables? The ones I received appear 3 or 4 inches too short. If I lay the cable from the rear attachment point it is grossly short of reaching the front hole where it was screwed in.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have looked for pics on the net for over 2 hours to no avail.
Last edited by lonetreevette; Nov 23, 2006 at 07:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,829
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
??????????
Originally Posted by lonetreevette
Need some help please. The side tension cables or "hold down cables" were broken/cut and I am replacing them. The problem is the replacements I received appear too short. Also, (and I hate to admit this) I forget the exact placement of the tension cable where it is riveted to the frame at its rear attachment.
1)Does it attach inside or outside the vertical tab at the rear attachment point? Is it ok to bolt this point instead of riviting it?
2) what is the proper length of these cables? The ones I received appear 3 or 4 inches too short. If I lay the cable from the rear attachment point it is grossly short of reaching the front hole where it was screwed in.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have looked for pics on the net for over 2 hours to no avail.
1)Does it attach inside or outside the vertical tab at the rear attachment point? Is it ok to bolt this point instead of riviting it?
2) what is the proper length of these cables? The ones I received appear 3 or 4 inches too short. If I lay the cable from the rear attachment point it is grossly short of reaching the front hole where it was screwed in.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have looked for pics on the net for over 2 hours to no avail.
for what ????????? better description please.........
ZIXXX PACKER
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: terre haute indiana
sorry... i was talking about the cables that run along the side of the convertible top frame. I think they attach at the bend of the frame adjacent to the number 2 bow and run in a groove of the top material up to each front corner of the conv top frame.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
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From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
I have a 68 convertible with the top out of the car and I cannot see any cables. I'm not saying that they are not there, I guess I just don't know where to look. If you could post some pix of what you describe I would be happy to take a look at mine and see if I can help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
This is also a 68 top frame.
The cable is roughly 18 3/4" long from the center of the rivet to the end of the spring on the other end.
I don't see any reason that you couldn't use a screw but if possible I'd buy or borrow a rivetgun, wouldn't want that screw coming loose.
The cable is roughly 18 3/4" long from the center of the rivet to the end of the spring on the other end.
I don't see any reason that you couldn't use a screw but if possible I'd buy or borrow a rivetgun, wouldn't want that screw coming loose.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
The tension cables were a different length for convertible '68's than for subsequent years. Try http://www.corvette-paragon.com and search for part PR #: 11938K. These are the correct length cables for your '68. My tension cables were screwed in place. The top had been replaced before so I can't claim this to be original, although it sure appeared to be. The vendor you bought the cables from may have sent you the wrong ones by mistake that they may exchange.
