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Question on 75 convertible top frame

Old 02-18-2017, 11:36 AM
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LRB
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Default Question on 75 convertible top frame

Question for the experts out there.
After 2 years I am finally getting ready to have a convertible top installed on my car. When I bought the car the frame was not on the car. I cleaned the frame and installed it on the car as well as test fitted the weatherstripping and it fits and works pretty well. The front pins line up as well as the deck pins. I know I will have to make some window adjustments once the top is installed. My concern is the frame does not seem to be in alignment on the right side. Is the frame bent or do you think there is an adjustment needed to bring it into alignment?
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Last edited by LRB; 02-18-2017 at 11:37 AM.
Old 02-18-2017, 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by LRB
Question for the experts out there.
After 2 years I am finally getting ready to have a convertible top installed on my car. When I bought the car the frame was not on the car. I cleaned the frame and installed it on the car as well as test fitted the weatherstripping and it fits and works pretty well. The front pins line up as well as the deck pins. I know I will have to make some window adjustments once the top is installed. My concern is the frame does not seem to be in alignment on the right side. Is the frame bent or do you think there is an adjustment needed to bring it into alignment?
About an inch above the tip of your arrow it looks like it is bent . That would explain the misalignment . See if you can draw it in with a C-Clamp .

Last edited by bj1k; 02-18-2017 at 07:42 PM.
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Old 02-19-2017, 12:36 AM
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The two rails should align together so something is bent for sure, tweaking the frame is not that hard. And just a Note: If you have a hardtop you should adjust the glass to the hardtop first, then make the soft top align to the door glass.

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Old 02-19-2017, 10:24 AM
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Thanks. I do not have the hard top so I am trying to get the top frame adjusted as close as possible and then adjust the door glass. I will keep checking for a bent area in the frame.

Thanks again for the reply.
Old 02-19-2017, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by LRB
Thanks. I do not have the hard top so I am trying to get the top frame adjusted as close as possible and then adjust the door glass. I will keep checking for a bent area in the frame.

Thanks again for the reply.
Since you don't have a hardtop you have options for sure. One trick to remember is that when you have the door forward edge 1" from the pillar in a parallel fashion, you should also be 1" from the weatherstrip on the top of the glass. If you get this correct then the door glass should roll up into the weatherstrip just fine. If adjusting the run channels on the door always remember in at the bottom means out at the top.

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Old 02-19-2017, 11:52 PM
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Default Another 75 convertible top question

Does anyone have the measurements on the distances between the bows for a 75 convertible top frame? My top was not mounted on the car when I got it and the top cover and some parts where in a box, but no instructions. I do have an AIM but I can not find any detail on the folding top.I saw some measurements for C2 (I think) on Wilcox's website but no C3 information.

See the attached picture for information requested.

Thanks for your assistance.
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Old 02-20-2017, 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by LRB
Does anyone have the measurements on the distances between the bows for a 75 convertible top frame? My top was not mounted on the car when I got it and the top cover and some parts where in a box, but no instructions. I do have an AIM but I can not find any detail on the folding top.I saw some measurements for C2 (I think) on Wilcox's website but no C3 information.

See the attached picture for information requested.

Thanks for your assistance.
My car is a 1972 but it is the same convertible top and frame and the measurements that you are looking for are , Starting the measurement from reaching over to the center of the front bow measure from the front edge 12 inches to the second bow , continue back to the third bow 23 1/2 inches and continue back to the fourth bow 33 1/2 inches . There is no given measurement for the distance down to the final rear bow . The slack is just pulled with the rear bow locked in place to make the window tight and stapled at the fourth bow. The 12 , 23 1/2 , and 33 1/2 measurements are measured to the center of the bows.

Last edited by bj1k; 02-20-2017 at 11:29 AM.
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Old 02-23-2017, 03:01 PM
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http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...e-soft-top.pdf Click on supporting document, the answer is in step 3.

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Old 02-23-2017, 04:03 PM
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I'd measure my '71 bows but I still have the hard top on. I'm sure you'll have your new top by the time I take it off. When I put my top on I just made sure the middle bows were straight up when I stapled the side pads to them.

Found a picture when I was installing it. Not quite done at this point but it shows the bows if this helps.



Finished product


Last edited by theandies; 02-23-2017 at 04:14 PM.
Old 02-24-2017, 07:49 PM
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Thanks.

Great job, hope mine looks that good when done.
Old 02-26-2017, 11:47 PM
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Thanks for all the help everyone with my convertible tops issues. I am working my way through this installation process. I was able to straighten out the frame with some heat and a little hammer persuasion. I am making a video of my top installation and will post it or a link to it when done. Here are some pictures of my work so far.
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