Warped T-Top
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 307
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From: McCordsville Indiana
Warped T-Top
Is it possible to have warped fiberglass t-tops,I purchased on old set for my 80 coupe and after installing the passenger side and adjusting the latch,there is a fair size gap along the front of the right one,it seems it is bowed for about a 2 inch area,is it possible for this to warp or did I buy a set not for an 80? 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
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Is it possible to have warped fiberglass t-tops,I purchased on old set for my 80 coupe and after installing the passenger side and adjusting the latch,there is a fair size gap along the front of the right one,it seems it is bowed for about a 2 inch area,is it possible for this to warp or did I buy a set not for an 80?
if you pull off the inside lining (held to the top by nothing but a high strength "vel-cro") you can see how to mess with them, the closer the teeth are to outside roof, the tighter its going to be pulled down to the center support structure
Miles
Last edited by randommj; Jan 10, 2008 at 11:13 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
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From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
I started a thread about this last fall. Another owner chimed in with a picture. My passenger top is the same way.
Using my folding sawhorses, I placed them on the bottom shelf of my workbench and laid the passenger top on them. The sawhorses ran down the sides of the top from front to rear, one on each side. Then, in front of the top, I stacked some boxes up to a height taller than the top. Then I placed a 15lb dumbell on the front center of the top, with a pad between the two. I left if for 3-4 weeks like that. Recently I put the top back on. The rear guide pin is almost impossible to get in place. I think my solution worked, but the top is still adjusted for the "bowed" position. I'm going to have to put the top back on my flattening rig for a bit because it's been installed on the car for a few weeks. Then I'll loosen all the adjustment points and try to reinstall and close the gap.
*edit*
Is this what you are referring to?
Using my folding sawhorses, I placed them on the bottom shelf of my workbench and laid the passenger top on them. The sawhorses ran down the sides of the top from front to rear, one on each side. Then, in front of the top, I stacked some boxes up to a height taller than the top. Then I placed a 15lb dumbell on the front center of the top, with a pad between the two. I left if for 3-4 weeks like that. Recently I put the top back on. The rear guide pin is almost impossible to get in place. I think my solution worked, but the top is still adjusted for the "bowed" position. I'm going to have to put the top back on my flattening rig for a bit because it's been installed on the car for a few weeks. Then I'll loosen all the adjustment points and try to reinstall and close the gap.
*edit*
Is this what you are referring to?
Last edited by Ak. Mal; Jan 10, 2008 at 11:24 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
I loosened all the bolts today and tried to align the top. I almost have the gap across the front closed. I used a folded matchbook between the rubber headed bolt and the windshield header. I took the top off and put it back under my work bench.
To be honest, I don't care if the front edge is warped looking, I just want the weatherstripping to seal. If this last attempt fails, I'll space the weather stripping with some foam weatherstripping until the top is sealed.
To be honest, I don't care if the front edge is warped looking, I just want the weatherstripping to seal. If this last attempt fails, I'll space the weather stripping with some foam weatherstripping until the top is sealed.
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