vettelady53

Looking for a video that might help me figure out how to install a new top on my 70. I have the new top but need some guidance. Can't seem to find anyone around my area that installs them.
Thanks in advance

lowbuck72

There's a real good Al Knoch installation video in DVD. I borrowed one from a forum member when I did mine. There must still be a few floating around.

tpfarm

Google "gottcha covered" in Woodstock Ga. if you don't mind driving that far. They put new seat covers on my '91 and did an excellent job. I know they do tops. I recommend them.

vettelady53

Thanks, I will call them!

midigike

Fwiw, there has been talk on here for a long time that the AL Knoch tops are not as good as they used to be, poor quality and too tight of a fit. Post a pic when you get it replaced

bj1k

He didn't mention what brand he bought but I hope it wasn't Al Knoch . Nothing wrong with the videos though . The videos were made back when he did things right.

robmccon

I too, have an Al Knock top that came with my 70 - new in the box. I've been debating on trying the installation myself. Please let us know how it goes!

CA-Legal-Vette

I have the DVD but it's packed away right now. VERY helpful and detailed. I know Willcox also has a DVD now. No idea if it's the same one.

vettelady53

Well, crap!! It is an Al Knoch top. My mechanic said he did research and it is supposed to be a very good top, so he ordered it & I paid for it I am getting Gotcha Covered to put it on next week. Will send a pix when it's done. The owner said it should be good but he wouldn't put an ACME top on under any circumstances. They are supposed to be trash. I'll keep you posted. They cost so dang much to buy & then to get it put on is not cheap either. I just hope it turns out good.

bj1k

Hopefully it will be an old stock top and nothing made recently. Check to see if you can find a date on it anywhere. If you know that it was made recently you should send it back. Once installation is started , you are on your own.

tpfarm

Inspect the back window carefully. If it is an old top and has been in the box for a long time it could have very small brown dots all over the clear plastic and cannot be removed. Saw this on Wheeler Dealers when they put a top on a '64 vette, also when I bought my '73 it came with a new Al Knock top in the box and had been sitting for a long time and it had the brown dots in the back window.

20mercury

Took my soft top off recently and reinstalled using a couple of how to's.

I found this one to be most useful:

http://rowleycorvette.com/corvette_repair3.html

plus there is a second part article at the bottom.

Also, Wilcox gave me this one (thanks!):

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/33283/

Which was also good. I actually read both several times, but followed the Rowley one more.

Hope this helps and I used a regular Arrow? hand staple gun and Weldwood contact cement. Also made my replacement tack strips out of wood base molding from the hardware store. Came out pretty good I thought, kinda of like a reupholstery job.

mrvette

Fair warning.....I ordered up a new top for my '72 vert, and so the canvass sat here for a few months until I got around to having a guy come out an install it, HE took one look and asked for the old top, which I had cut off and was in the trash can....he laid his tape over it and sure enough, the new top was not made correctly, not even close...the largest thing was that it was WAY too far forward on the rear edge of the side windows.....so when the door was closed with the window up, the glass was deflected out of the seal.......the top was not made correctly.....it's now about 5 years later and I still cutting/gluing and trying to get this POS to fit right, the way the old top did......

typical modern products.....China/whereEVER....just junk.....

and so...best of luck.....

bj1k

There is only one top to be sure of quality. Buy a Robbins top but make sure that the rear weatherstrip which you buy separately is bought from a quality weatherstrip company or it will still give you headaches. The cheap China rubber is almost impossible to work into the rear bow. The quality ones go right in with a little WD-40 sprayed on.

c69vete

I have the AK install video and lent it to Lowbuck72. I am willing to loan it out to whomever would like to attempt the install.
I used it to install the cloth top on my car about 5 years ago. It is an Al Knock top and fit fine.
The video was produced a long time ago, before cloth tops for the C-3 so there are a few things different if you go the cloth route. The cloth does not stretch so it must be fitted carefully.
PM for request.
Bill

vettelady53

Gotcha Covered in Woodstock GA installed my AL K top and it looks great. I couldn't be more please with their work. They also installed new carpet. They do a great job upholstering seats and headliners. Everything interior. I would certainly recommend them.

doorgunner

Thanks for the update. Other members can benefit from it.

tpfarm

So glad they came through for you. It's been about 15 years since they did my seats and when I sold the '91 four years ago they still looked new. Hope you are enjoying those beautiful North Ga. mountains this time of year , I miss them.

jnb5101

The most important measurement is the length of the two rear straps. They determine the rear window position. Also, when the time comes to trim the top where it attaches to the rear window piece, do not trim it to the exact length. Fold it over on itself (like you're creasing a piece of paper) and have the loose end (an inch or so) on the underside of the top. This is where the rear top bow has the trim strip to cover the staples. By doing this there won't be any loose threads exposed ,and if (Heaven forbid) you need to adjust the length, you'll have the needed material. This will make sense to you when you study the installation instructions. All in all, it's not a difficult job (I've done two) but it's just scary as hell when you're afraid of ruining a $500 top.

TWINRAY