convertible latch pictures needed
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
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convertible latch pictures needed
I have a 1970 corvette convertible and having trouble putting the convertible latches on the rear together so that they work. I bought the car with the hard top on. Now I am trying to set up the convertible but I dont understand how the latches are supposed to look or work. I have the cone screws... but... does anyone have pictures of their latches so I can compare what I have and what I am missing? I think my springs are bad... not sure. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
I have a 1970 corvette convertible and having trouble putting the convertible latches on the rear together so that they work. I bought the car with the hard top on. Now I am trying to set up the convertible but I dont understand how the latches are supposed to look or work. I have the cone screws... but... does anyone have pictures of their latches so I can compare what I have and what I am missing? I think my springs are bad... not sure. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Purchase the 1970 assembly instruction manual (AIM). The AIM has an assembly diagram of all the decklid hardware.
As far as the rear bow locks are concerned, there is a left and a right.
As far as the rear bow locks are concerned, there is a left and a right.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
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Thanks for the pictures. I will surely have to pick up that manual. In the mean time, if you could give me a close up and a couple of angles on the latch on the bottom (either left or right). Its the latch where, I believe, the cone screw from the soft top goes through the lid and somehow "clicks" into the latch in question... then you pull on the RIGHT handle and it is supposed to release the soft top. I think it may be the spring is broken but I dont see how it was hooked up in the first place???? Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Thanks for the pictures. I will surely have to pick up that manual. In the mean time, if you could give me a close up and a couple of angles on the latch on the bottom (either left or right). Its the latch where, I believe, the cone screw from the soft top goes through the lid and somehow "clicks" into the latch in question... then you pull on the RIGHT handle and it is supposed to release the soft top. I think it may be the spring is broken but I dont see how it was hooked up in the first place???? Thanks.
Left handle side pops the rear deck; right handle pull pops the top rear bow pins. Obviously when the top is up the latter comes first.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
my 70 loves to just 'pop' out of the latches also. my problem is that my weatherstrip is new and the top is new and not 'stretched' enough and I can't get it to compress down and adjust the cones to latch.. but whatever.. i don't drive it in the rain or the winter so the top is never up anyway... but it is one the the to-do's to fix on my list...
good pics guys....
good pics guys....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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Thanks for the great pix. I see what my problem is... my springs are broken off so that the long parts of the springs are missing and dont pull on anything. Unfortunately, I see they are on grommits. I dont see how you can replace them as the grommit doesnt budge. Is it time to just buy new latches or does someone have an idea on how to exchange the springs? Thanks.
Last edited by stefmatt; Jul 28, 2009 at 11:53 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
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From: Kalispell MT
My '70 does not have the black **** hardware between the latch and the release on the right side. What is this?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Ray,
(Thanks for asking that question. It made me realize that the one on the other side is missing. Never noticed that before. Another item on my Willcox list.)
That is called a "soft top hold down bumper". It...holds down the top! Why that is necessary I do not know. The top is not going anywhere. Perhaps it can lift in the rear compartment at high speeds with air turbulence?? My best guess.
(Thanks for asking that question. It made me realize that the one on the other side is missing. Never noticed that before. Another item on my Willcox list.)
That is called a "soft top hold down bumper". It...holds down the top! Why that is necessary I do not know. The top is not going anywhere. Perhaps it can lift in the rear compartment at high speeds with air turbulence?? My best guess.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Thanks for the great pix. I see what my problem is... my springs are broken off so that the long parts of the springs are missing and dont pull on anything. Unfortunately, I see they are on grommits. I dont see how you can replace them as the grommit doesnt budge. Is it time to just buy new latches or does someone have an idea on how to exchange the springs? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
AS far as those springs you might try Doc Rebuild or Paragon but I think you will probably have to buy the whole latch.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 98
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Ray,
(Thanks for asking that question. It made me realize that the one on the other side is missing. Never noticed that before. Another item on my Willcox list.)
That is called a "soft top hold down bumper". It...holds down the top! Why that is necessary I do not know. The top is not going anywhere. Perhaps it can lift in the rear compartment at high speeds with air turbulence?? My best guess.
(Thanks for asking that question. It made me realize that the one on the other side is missing. Never noticed that before. Another item on my Willcox list.)
That is called a "soft top hold down bumper". It...holds down the top! Why that is necessary I do not know. The top is not going anywhere. Perhaps it can lift in the rear compartment at high speeds with air turbulence?? My best guess.
And I cant find the part on any of the Vendors websites?? Paul, have you found the part yet?? Post a link if you did, thanx.
Last edited by Steve~74; Jul 29, 2009 at 10:19 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
#40975 - bracket
No listing for mounting bolts or locknut but that must be standard stock.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,344
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
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willcox only has one side, not the other... corvette america has both but for an extra 50 bucks a pop. i guess i will have to go with them, UNLESSSSS anyone else has another place the latches may be able to be found?????
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Willcox Inc.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Hi Paul-
Some vendors still list the locks, but this is usually from them not aware the part is discontinued. The only vendor I know of that still has them listed is CA.
I'll keep looking, but I'm not sure there will be any stock on this. Normally I won't send people to other vendors, but if CA has them and the customer needs them, it would be a good idea to ****** them up before they hit 300.00 a side on the fleabay.
Willcox
Some vendors still list the locks, but this is usually from them not aware the part is discontinued. The only vendor I know of that still has them listed is CA.
I'll keep looking, but I'm not sure there will be any stock on this. Normally I won't send people to other vendors, but if CA has them and the customer needs them, it would be a good idea to ****** them up before they hit 300.00 a side on the fleabay.
Willcox
