I need to adjust the distance between the rear convertible top Bow, where it attaches to the levers on the upright, and the deck. If you could measure the distance in the middle of the two attaching screws and the deck, that would help me tremendously. I have one side that is about 5/8" and the other is about 1/4" and I want to make them the same, but I want to base it on a top that is correct.

Thanks,
Paul

 

Come on, someone should be able to help here!

Could you please let me know what the "Gap Measurement" in this picture is on a functioning Soft Top?
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Thanks

 

you can Pm me I have a 69 soft top also be glad to help you if i can

 

Paul,

The measurement you are looking for to my knowledge is non existent.

When installing a new top, you need to remove the rear bow from the car and install the rear of the top to the bow. At this same time you also install the rear weatherstrip.

If you are installing a new soft top on your car this is not an easy venture for a first time.

Before you install a new top you should install the weatherstrips on the top and then adjust the door glass and the top to fit together. If you have the door glass adjusted and the weatherstrips on the car, this measurement is not needed. When adjusting the top to the glass it will work itself out.

Things you should know are the bow measurements from the center of the header to the each bow are very important. The front bow should measure on center 12”, the second bow should be 24” and the third bow should be 34” +/- one half inch. This measurement is determined by the straps and the top you are using. It can vary, and you may have to tach the pads a few times to get the window looking correct. . . again depending on the top you are using.

I hope this makes sense to you, if not post again and I’ll try to explain it better for you.

Most of this is covered in section 1 sheet K14 and K15 in the assembly manual, but there is not a measurement shown for the gap you are looking for.

Willcox Inc.

 

Well, it would depend on your weatherstripping. If it's old and shrunken, you may have to adjust the gap to get a good seal. If you have new, aftermarket weatherstripping that may or may not be correct, you may need to increase the gap so that it will latch properly. My 69 is about 1/2" all around.

 

Folks,

Thanks for the responses - we're getting closer!

A little background!

I got the top with the car (not on the car!) 6 or 7 years ago and it has been in storage since. It came with a new top and pads that were purchased several years earlier and never taken out of the plastic bags. It had been poorly stored and dropped more than once. The rear bow had a dent in the middle and the attachment levers had obviously absorbed a good deal of stress and were slightly bent causing the problem I am describing.

I have been working on restoring the frame over the last few weeks. I straightened the bow, cleaned / sanded / and painted the frame. New weatherstrip is on and I have adjusted the frame to window / windshield clearance all around. Everything is in great shape now, so I am now prepping to install the top. When I attached the rear bow, the gap that I identified in the earlier post was different side to side - about 3/8 to 1/2" on one side, and about 1/4 max on the other side.

What I am trying to find out is what the gap is on a properly fitting and properly sealing top so I can make my gap that measurement on both sides - not rocket science, but I have the opportunity to set it right now, so that's what I would like to do. This is the last item to address and I'll then start on installing the top.

Willcox: Thanks for those measurements - I believe the pad set I have is the marked one, but don't know yet as the bag is still sealed. I did not know the strap measurements either (the set I have is not marked for length by year like some I have seen) so I now have a reference.

 

The rear strap measurement and the rear bow will vary, but the first two bow measurements I gave you should be dead on when doing the install. This is done from the center of the metal header.

Some reproduction rear straps have cut lines on them for installing. When you have a set like this, you should transfer this paper cut line to the strap but do NOT cut it until you have everything where it should be. Sometimes cutting them on the line will leave you short and then you will just have to locate another set of straps.

If you want to remove some of the extra material to get it out of the way it's ok. Leave about an inch extra just in case you have a problem. Once everything is in line you can trim them later.

Glenkov is right too! If the top frame is adjusted correct, this gap should come in place just fine. Using the cheap imported weatherstrips can open this gap up, but the weatherstrip should still seal. I do not advise using the old weatherstrips on the rear bow! Installing the rear of the top hold in cord and the rear bow weatherstrip is hard enough doing it once, replacing the rear bow with a CRC brand weatherstrip is the only way to do the top installation.

I have pictures of a install we just did last week. I will also tell you that there is an excellent article on installing a soft top online. I’m not sure which magazine did it, but it was titled something like “two tops” Do a Google and see.

After fighting the rear bow hold in cord and the weatherstrip install, even I learned a new trick reading this article. One trick was to use old plug wires as a tool for holding the weatherstrip in place while running the hold in cord in place. I never thought of that and had always used rope instead.

Before you install, you should try to find this article and read what you can. I’ll see if I can locate it for you and post again tomorrow.

Willcox Inc.

 

Willcox - Again, great info - thanks much!

I have all new Corvette Rubber weatherstrip. I have also watched the Al Knoch video 3 times and will review it as I do the installation. I have a good understand of the process so I feel I should be OK.

As I mentioned, the frame was mistreated sometime during it's many years of storage so although I have the whole frame adjusted so windows, etc. fit very nicely, the arms that the rear bow attaches to were bent (at least one of them was). I believe I have them correct now as I test fitted the rear bow with the new weatherstrip in place on the end that was suspect.

The plug wire thing isn't quite so clear - seems like they are too fat. The "hold in" strip that I have for the weatherstrip is only slightly larger than the one for the top (maybe 3/16"). I have started attaching the top / weatherstrip to the rear bow - I have about 8" on one end and will get out the heat gun and stretch it into the other end tomorrow. It seems to be going fine so far so I should be OK. I will certainly call for help if I need it!

 

Here is the link on the article: http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/33283/index.html

Here is the picture of how the spark plug wires were used. Handy idea too! We used it on our last install. It's just for holding it in place while you work it to the middle.



and the text from this picture reads: Match up the pencil marks that you made on the top to the end of the rear bow. Once you have them aligned evenly on both sides, push in the spark plug wire to keep the ends in place as you put on the weatherstripping and the plastic tubing that holds it in place.

Some of the methods used in this article I do not follow, but you know each person has a way of doing things. For the most part, its a good way to view the install and has some good tips on it.

Willcox

 

OK, now I see - I thought the plug wires were going into the weatherstripping - that's why I said no fit! Good idea!

Unfortunately I need to do a bit of stretching to get my pencil mark to come to the end of the bow on the side I haven't "locked in" yet - but only about 3/4" so it shouldn't be too bad.

Thanks again!