Crooked T-Tops
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
Crooked T-Tops
I have broken my questions into two threads to reduce any confusion. Another issue I am having with my 1976 L-48 is my T-Tops are crooked in the front by the windshield. The inner portions of each top is flush to the windshield trim molding, as the car was assembled from the factory, but the outside front corners are way too high, which, IMO looks bad enough to sell the car. I have referenced the AIM and Google but can't find a way to adjust just the corners to lay flat to the windshield trim molding. I already know how to adjust the tops in every direction and what the shims are for on the bayonets, my issue is not that they are high in the back to the halo bar, nor are they uneven down the T-Bar center-line. Mine are perfect except for the outside front corners where the tops attach to the corner moldings and front pin bushing, even after setting the latch pin to the tightest position allowed... anyone know how to bring this down? They were perfect until I replaced the weatherstripping, which I have thought about trimming with a razor blade to reduce the amount of material in between the T-Top and the mount surface. I appreciate all advice... no such thing as a stupid suggestion in my book.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,328
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi j26,
If in fact the fit at the front corner was good until you put new weatherstrip on the roof panels I'd say the weather-strip needs to have pressure put on it to help condense it so it's not holding the panel up.
I'd first check to ensure that the front 'probe' is positioned properly (it's position is adjustable) so it can seat completely in the nylon receiver on the windshield header corner. Also make sure one of the other 3 adjustments isn't preventing that 'probe' from seating fully.
I'd then start gradually adjusting the lock stop on the front latch so it puts more pressure on the roof panel to condense the weather strip.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Make sure the probe can fully seat. It's position is adjustable.
Length the adjustment gradually to put more pressure on the weatherstrip.
If in fact the fit at the front corner was good until you put new weatherstrip on the roof panels I'd say the weather-strip needs to have pressure put on it to help condense it so it's not holding the panel up.
I'd first check to ensure that the front 'probe' is positioned properly (it's position is adjustable) so it can seat completely in the nylon receiver on the windshield header corner. Also make sure one of the other 3 adjustments isn't preventing that 'probe' from seating fully.
I'd then start gradually adjusting the lock stop on the front latch so it puts more pressure on the roof panel to condense the weather strip.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Make sure the probe can fully seat. It's position is adjustable.
Length the adjustment gradually to put more pressure on the weatherstrip.
Last edited by Alan 71; Oct 5, 2016 at 02:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
Thanks
Hi j26,
If in fact the fit at the front corner was good until you put new weatherstrip on the roof panels I'd say the weather-strip needs to have pressure put on it to help condense it so it's not holding the panel up.
I'd first check to ensure that the front 'probe' is positioned properly (it's position is adjustable) so it can seat completely in the nylon receiver on the windshield header corner. Also make sure one of the other 3 adjustments isn't preventing that 'probe' from seating fully.
I'd then start gradually adjusting the lock stop on the front latch so it puts more pressure on the roof panel to condense the weather strip.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Make sure the probe can fully seat. It's position is adjustable.
Length the adjustment gradually to put more pressure on the weatherstrip.
If in fact the fit at the front corner was good until you put new weatherstrip on the roof panels I'd say the weather-strip needs to have pressure put on it to help condense it so it's not holding the panel up.
I'd first check to ensure that the front 'probe' is positioned properly (it's position is adjustable) so it can seat completely in the nylon receiver on the windshield header corner. Also make sure one of the other 3 adjustments isn't preventing that 'probe' from seating fully.
I'd then start gradually adjusting the lock stop on the front latch so it puts more pressure on the roof panel to condense the weather strip.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Make sure the probe can fully seat. It's position is adjustable.
Length the adjustment gradually to put more pressure on the weatherstrip.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,328
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi j26,
It getting a good fit of the roof panels to each other, to the rear halo, and to the windshield header, it's helpful to have the liners off so the access to the adjustment points is easier.
Regards,
Alan
It getting a good fit of the roof panels to each other, to the rear halo, and to the windshield header, it's helpful to have the liners off so the access to the adjustment points is easier.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
AS usual, Alan is steering you straight..Concerning the new weatherstripping..When you get things adjusted down in the front..you think..Take a hair dryer and WARM the new weatherstripping until it's more soft & flexible to the touch..THEN really cinch it down..Hot weather is the time to get new weatherstripping cinched into place..but some outside heat applied carefully..can help in the interim.DO not take a razor knife to the new weatherstrips..Assuming they are CORRECT and installed properly..that'll just compound the issue..Jim
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Depending on the density of the new weatherstrips...it may take a while for it to compress or possibly not compress due to the foam is so dense it can not compress. I have had customers bring me in some rally crappy weatherstrip kits that I would not even attempt to install due to the weatherstrips are so much denser than the stock original designed latex.
This is why I install the latex weatherstrips where they are used by GM. I do know these t-top w/strips are now offered again in latex.
AND....stop and think about this for second. In the crappy kits that some customers have brought to me...I felt the 'spine' of the T-top weatherstrips....where the push pins are installed.....and I felt it. I can tell by feel that this 'spine' is so dense and hard and thick...that trying to get the T-top ON and fitted correctly WILL NOT work....due to this 'spine' is NOW causing the T-top to push away from the stainless steel trim it is sealing against. There is only so much room for the weatherstrips to fit...and if the w/strips are dense and can not compress....then it will not work....no matter what anybody says.
Because if you remove the new T-top w/strips and your T-top fits perfectly....then logic would dictate that the w/strips are the problem.
DUB
This is why I install the latex weatherstrips where they are used by GM. I do know these t-top w/strips are now offered again in latex.
AND....stop and think about this for second. In the crappy kits that some customers have brought to me...I felt the 'spine' of the T-top weatherstrips....where the push pins are installed.....and I felt it. I can tell by feel that this 'spine' is so dense and hard and thick...that trying to get the T-top ON and fitted correctly WILL NOT work....due to this 'spine' is NOW causing the T-top to push away from the stainless steel trim it is sealing against. There is only so much room for the weatherstrips to fit...and if the w/strips are dense and can not compress....then it will not work....no matter what anybody says.
Because if you remove the new T-top w/strips and your T-top fits perfectly....then logic would dictate that the w/strips are the problem.
DUB
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
Thanks for the info
Can you suggest where I purchase the weatherstripping? The stripping on there now came from Corvette Central, I believe... I am pretty sure I can buy just for the T-Tops, not the whole car kit like I did before...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
EPDM Rubber construction
I found a source on eBay Motors that has just the outside weatherstripping made of EPDM Rubber construction, which I never heard of... would this be something you would accept for installation? Good price @ $60/pair...
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
An attractive price may not be the best solution. My advice is to purchase weather stripping made by Corvette Rubber Company (CRC). Many of the major aftermarket providers carry CRC.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Quite a few people feel the the weatherstrip manufactured by Corvette Rubber Company (CRC) is a good choice.
I believe that's the source of the weatherstrip that Willcox sells.
Regards,
Alan
Quite a few people feel the the weatherstrip manufactured by Corvette Rubber Company (CRC) is a good choice.
I believe that's the source of the weatherstrip that Willcox sells.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
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From: Charlotte NC