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So I just picked up a 69 vert with hard and soft tops. When I first saw the car it was topless but at my request the seller installed the hardtop for me to drive home.
The car needs some tlc for sure, and while not a master mechanic my wrenching capabilities are above the average Joe. So with hat in hand, I ask HOW DO YOU GET THE DARN HARDTOP OFF!!!
I threw the 2 latches on sides, and the one over the windshield. The bolts behind the seats are removed. And when we go to pull up on the top the back pin comes out of the body on the passenger side.....but the driver side is stuck in place. It moves up and out ever so slightly but will not come all the way out. I pulled pretty darn hard on it, without putting all my might (afraid to crack the rear cover.)
Is it possible the pin is stuck or are they usually fastened from underneath? I can't see anything under there with the soft top blocking the view.
I feel like a dummy asking, especially since this is a baby step in the process going forward but I want to see if I'm missing something.
Undo the latches at the headliner then remove the 2 nuts holding it onto the deck. The nuts are located at the corners by the door and are a pain the *** to remove. I've head of some people releasing the latches then pulling the release lever and lifting the hardtop/deck lid in one piece to access the nuts.
Jason, does your Hardtop have Pins in it... Picture courtesy of Paragon Corvette Reproductions
or does it have studs? Picture courtesy of Paragon Corvette Reproductions
It should have the studs, but a lot of times folks will use the Pins in the hardtop (same ones used in the convertible top) instead of the studs. Because the pins have the sharp edge on them, sometimes the latch will release the pin (pop up about an inch), and then the pin will hang up on the edge of the rear deck bezel. You may have to move the top around a bit to get the pin into the center of the hole in the bezel to be able to lift it out.
If you have the studs, it must be hanging up on something else.
Assuming (hate that word) you have pins and not studs, you might try resetting the windshield latches and also the deck pins. Then pull the deck pin release handle (not the deck release handle) first. This may put upward pressure on the pins to pop them loose. Have a wonderful week, Bill.
Undo the latches at the headliner then remove the 2 nuts holding it onto the deck. The nuts are located at the corners by the door and are a pain the *** to remove. I've head of some people releasing the latches then pulling the release lever and lifting the hardtop/deck lid in one piece to access the nuts.
Yep, that's how I've been doing it for 40 years. I unlatch the front latches, release the rear deck, lift up enough to remove the corner nuts and center nut(if you have one), then lower it back down and lock the deck. Then remove the 2 side bolts and remove the hardtop.
I'm currently at the Moon Palace in Cancun.....heading out to the pool for a cold beer!
Thanks for the suggestions....learned a few things and finally got the top off. The top has the pins, not studs. I was pulling the wrong latch under the decklid so instead of releasing the pins it released the decklid. A struggle at first but then remembered to push the whole assembly up and look underneath the attachment points and saw they were pins and how the release.
One of the connecting rods from the handle to the pin release wasn't tight so it wouldn't let go. Hence the stuck top.
But with a little fix and help from the 11 year old twins....it came right off.
And I was pleasantly surprised to find the soft top in great shape and no new areas of (rust) concern.
09-29-2015, 06:34 PM
69 Hardtop Removal
