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I have included photos, finally, so anyone who thinks they know what is going on with this passenger T-Top can get an idea of what I am talking about. These pics have no weatherstripping on the T-Tops, so it's not that, and I have adjusted them on all 4 corners so they are square and fit factory just like the driver side, which is not a problem. Can anyone figure out why this top is sitting high on the passenger front but not the T-Top on the driver front. I have been working on them about every weekend trying everything in the AIM, online sources, youtube (waste of time), etc.
Hi J,
Did this panel fit well at one time?
It looks to me like the outer/forward corner of the roof panel 'may' be being held high by the windshield header trim.
Has that corner trim been off?
Can you post a couple of photos of that area with the roof panel removed?
Regards,
Alan
try another t-top from another car on there to see which part is the problem? or hold a straight edge across the top and then on the windshield fram to see which is the problem. had the car very long??/ maybe this problem came with the car when you bought it??/ any history on the car you can share with us????
Adjusting the T-tops with no weatherstripping is a waste of time to be honest. Install the correct type of weatherstrip and then do your adjustments. Doing it that way will give you the 'real world' end result..and that is only because I do this stuff for a living every day...and just trying to not have you waste your time and get frustrated.
AND ...do not be surprised that if the w/strips you install are too dense that you might have a fight on your hands versus the correct designed latex w/strips.
Mine still has original weatherstripping. I think it just might be a 76 thing. Lol My cars only got 37,000 on the ticker and looks the same as the original posters does with the strips in. But my car is an early 76, built Aug. 75.
Hi J,
Did this panel fit well at one time?
It looks to me like the outer/forward corner of the roof panel 'may' be being held high by the windshield header trim.
Has that corner trim been off?
Can you post a couple of photos of that area with the roof panel removed?
Regards,
Alan
Here is a photo of the car a year or so ago; the only change is that this spring when I sanded/polished the stainless steel under the tops at the T-Bar, I left the t-tops in their bags for a month and the right one has not fit since... don't know if this is related (cause/effect)... I will have to take photos of the T-Bar for you...
Adjusting the T-tops with no weatherstripping is a waste of time to be honest. Install the correct type of weatherstrip and then do your adjustments. Doing it that way will give you the 'real world' end result..and that is only because I do this stuff for a living every day...and just trying to not have you waste your time and get frustrated.
AND ...do not be surprised that if the w/strips you install are too dense that you might have a fight on your hands versus the correct designed latex w/strips.
DUB
The purpose of the weatherstrip removal was to get the top as close to the t-bar as possible and also eliminate any reason for the misalignment, like weatherstripping interference... you think this misalignment is bad, let me reinstall the w/s and let the fun begin... it's almost double what you can see now. I've included a pic from 1-1/2 years ago at a local rally... appreciate you taking time with this, esp. since you are a professional... do you think the windshield install is a problem? This is the 3rd w/s in the car...
try another t-top from another car on there to see which part is the problem? or hold a straight edge across the top and then on the windshield fram to see which is the problem. had the car very long??/ maybe this problem came with the car when you bought it??/ any history on the car you can share with us????
You cant get it right w/no weatherstripping.Put on rubber then adjust. Looks as though the T-Top/windshield center trim is bent up
Adding the rubber back on will take the top up another 1/2" with it being adjusted with no shims and the lock lever so tight it takes 2 hands and a pair of pliers to unlatch... I took the rubber off to get the top as low as possible and not have any interference to see if the weatherstrip was the problem, initially... look at the top 1-1/2 years ago...
Hi j,
Is there any chance the 'guide pin' isn't in quite the proper location and isn't sliding down into the 'receiver' fully?
Loosen the two twelve point bolts to let the pin move freely.
???
Regards,
Alan
Hi j,
Is there any chance the 'guide pin' isn't in quite the proper location and isn't sliding down into the 'receiver' fully?
Loosen the two twelve point bolts to let the pin move freely.
???
Regards,
Alan
The photos of mine were taken with nothing tightened, just the latches in lock position... the guide pin, inner bayonets, rear corner hold down... you can literally move the t-top any direction as it sits on the car, which I did. I pushed all the way forward, backward, and inward each time closing the latches tight (very tight) and I photographed the best position I could manage. My buddy has a '71 and he said I could use his tops to test their fitment. If it's still a problem, I will have to pull off the t-bar, windshield, stainless moldings, a-pillars, birdcage frame, etc. and start over... not wanting to do that, of course!
Was a new windshield recently installed and AFTER the photo you posted in POST # 16 when the T-tops were fine?????.
I have seen and experienced a very few cars that when the windshield was removed and replaced....that movement of the pillar post did cause a problem...but it is not common.
IF a car is getting its windshield replaced and it is NOT on level ground....then YES...that can cause for problems....even though many may think that is a bunch of crap.
I seriously doubt that even if a windshield is set too low in the channel. All that will do is make it look like crap and have gaps between the windshield and trim. That will not effect the sealing area of the T-tops and how they fit to the car.
Not knowing where the tops were stored and the temperatures they were stored in for that month...and how they were positioned when sittign there. I can say that I can see the hump in the right top.
It makes no sense that IF the weatherstrip you have in the top now is what was in the top in the photo you posted in POST #16.
Was a new windshield recently installed and AFTER the photo you posted in POST # 16 when the T-tops were fine?????.
I ahve seen and experienced a very few cars that when the windshield was removed and replaced....that movement of the pillar post did cause a problem...but it is not common.
IF a car is getting its windshield replaced and it is NOT on level ground....then YES...that can cause for problems....even though many may think that is a bunch of crap.
I seriously doubt that even if a windshield is set too low in the channel. All that will do is make it look like crap and have gaps between the windshield and trim. That will not effect the sealing area of the T-tops and how they fit to the car.
Not knowing where the tops were stored and the temperatures they were stored in for that month...and how they were positioned when sittign there. I can say that I can see the hump in the right top.
It makes no sense that IF the weatherstrip you have in the top now is what was in the top in the photo you posted in POST #16.
DUB
I appreciate your reply. The windshield was replaced back in 2012. So the pic #16 was after the windshield was replaced years before and the guy did a nice job. A little gap in the trim at top and side pillars, but not too bad. I have also thought that the car could have flexed when getting aggressive with the tops out. It is high performance and I've been known to have a little fast fun from time to time...LOL. Why own a fast car, right? What do you know about this? I heard when Chevrolet first designed the L body in 1968, there wasn't a t-bar and had a one piece removable top, but body flex made the test cars unsafe for final approval and production. I hope to meet my friend with his '71 and try another set of tops to further define where the problem resides...
12-03-2016, 06:35 PM
1976 Corvette T-Top - Passenger side front
