Aligning T-Tops
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Long Island New York
Aligning T-Tops
Hello all, the t-tops on my 75 do not match the roofline of the car, toward the middle they match the back section of the car, but as you work out to the side of the car they are up about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Is there any way to align them? I am doing the body mounts now but it does not look like they fit any better (I was thinking the back of the car was drooping b/c of the bad body mounts but it does not seem like that is the case). Are there any adjustments that can be made to the t-tops themselves? As always I appreciate any and all ideas. Thank you..
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 27
From: Sonora CA
I'm thinking that where ever the body goes, the t-top's will follow. Putting new body mounts in may not have any effect on the alignment of the t-top's ...... door gaps yeah, maybe, but t-top's ???
But, to answer your question, Yes, there are a number of ways to adjust the t-top's, but don't ask me, I don't have any experience in that area.
However, I do know that if you make any adjustments to the t-top's, (themselves) make sure that they are secure and won't fly off going down the freeway. I have heard of this happing in the past.
But, to answer your question, Yes, there are a number of ways to adjust the t-top's, but don't ask me, I don't have any experience in that area.
However, I do know that if you make any adjustments to the t-top's, (themselves) make sure that they are secure and won't fly off going down the freeway. I have heard of this happing in the past.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi m75,
The position of the 'wedge-pin' on the halo, and how tight the rear roof panel lock pulls the roof down on to it, determines the fit of the rear of the roof panel to the halo.
It takes quite a bit of trial and error to get the gaps even, and the transition smooth, but it can be done.
Regards,
Alan
The position of the 'wedge-pin' on the halo, and how tight the rear roof panel lock pulls the roof down on to it, determines the fit of the rear of the roof panel to the halo.
It takes quite a bit of trial and error to get the gaps even, and the transition smooth, but it can be done.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 22
From: Crystal Lake IL
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
i had the same problem on my 78. my expert corvette pal had a good idea that helped mine. First he loosened the brkts, and re-adjusted. That didn't seem to help much, so my buddy Dean drilled out the holes in the halo behind the brkts which provided more brkt adjustment. Turned out much better. My t-tops do require a bit of pressure pushing down to align the t-top pin with the hole and locking em in place, but that could be due to the new weather stripping.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 157
From: Springfield MO
The shims under the alignment plates made all the difference on my '79. I guess shimming at the alignment plate translates all the way out and along the roofline. Trial and error with adding and removing the shims made the fit pretty good. I don't know about the '75, but I know the t-tops sitting "proud" of the roof on my year was normal.
The auto rag reviews from the time discuss it.
The auto rag reviews from the time discuss it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
The latch handles have rubber tipped bolts that adjust the level when clamped down. Over time the rubber compresses or is gone. You may need to replace these to get the correct alignment. Unscrewing the bolts ie; making them longer, will put more pressure on the body plate when clamped down and will pull the tops lower at the outside edges.
These are what I'm referring to.
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid={15ee86e7-3542-4979-bdea-d0f6c78c575a}&gid={6bd5b587-15b1-4c02-ba57-4ee1ddec9b10}&GroupName=T-Top+Latch&pname=77-82+T-Top+Front+Latch+Adjusting+Bolt&Referer=& Alias=&ptct=SGR-SR&CTitle=&
Glenn
These are what I'm referring to.
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid={15ee86e7-3542-4979-bdea-d0f6c78c575a}&gid={6bd5b587-15b1-4c02-ba57-4ee1ddec9b10}&GroupName=T-Top+Latch&pname=77-82+T-Top+Front+Latch+Adjusting+Bolt&Referer=& Alias=&ptct=SGR-SR&CTitle=&
Glenn
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Long Island New York
Thank you all for your help!, Alan are you saying just spin that triangular bolt and the t-top will come down tighter? (depending on its position, so if the point is up the top fits differently than if a point is to the side a little, etc?)
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi m75,
Turning the wedge pin in and out moves that corner of the panel forward and backward.
To lower the top at that corner loosen the 2 screws just a bit and you'll be able to move the plate and wedge pin down or up.
Regards,
Alan
Turning the wedge pin in and out moves that corner of the panel forward and backward.
To lower the top at that corner loosen the 2 screws just a bit and you'll be able to move the plate and wedge pin down or up.
Regards,
Alan
