Replacing Soft-top & Weatherstrip
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Replacing Soft-top & Weatherstrip
So have a new soft top for my 73 vert and before I dive in I wanted to see if there was any special tools? Advice? Tips? etc?
I read the directions and seems pretty straight forward (then again they always do in the beginning) but I am hoping folks can save me some blood, sweat and tears.
Thanks in advance.
Shane
I read the directions and seems pretty straight forward (then again they always do in the beginning) but I am hoping folks can save me some blood, sweat and tears.
Thanks in advance.
Shane
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,287
Likes: 4,376
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Shane,
There were 2 threads in the last week or two about people installing tops.
I'd think a search would find them pretty easily. A pm to the posters might well get you some good advice and pointers.
Regards,
Alan
There were 2 threads in the last week or two about people installing tops.
I'd think a search would find them pretty easily. A pm to the posters might well get you some good advice and pointers.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Nothing fits well and the avalible weatherstripping is a complete JOKE!
One thing you should do is carefully mark the location of the soft top frame where it bolts to the body behind the doors as it is not a fun job to start this process with no refrence point.
Get a clear vinyl staic cling sheet to install on the rear decklid to protect your paint while fitting the top. Adjust the bare frame for good fit of all the latch bolts and front pins then get ready to do this job a second time after the top installation shifts the frame a bit.
Even in the era, the factory had great problems getting weatherstripping to properly seal and did assembly line testing on it. I don't think any aftermarket weatherstripping comes close to what GM installed on our Vettes. Good luck with the project.
One thing you should do is carefully mark the location of the soft top frame where it bolts to the body behind the doors as it is not a fun job to start this process with no refrence point.
Get a clear vinyl staic cling sheet to install on the rear decklid to protect your paint while fitting the top. Adjust the bare frame for good fit of all the latch bolts and front pins then get ready to do this job a second time after the top installation shifts the frame a bit.
Even in the era, the factory had great problems getting weatherstripping to properly seal and did assembly line testing on it. I don't think any aftermarket weatherstripping comes close to what GM installed on our Vettes. Good luck with the project.
