68 Convertible Top
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
68 Convertible Top
I have been installing an Al Knoch top this week according to the video. Things seem to have gone pretty well until I put it on the car. I cannot make it latch to the deck lid even with the latch pins screwed out as far as I can. The rear seal seems way to thick to squeeze down enough !!!! I ordered a seal from Zip hoping it will be softer or thinner. If not, i don't know what to do. Any suggestions ?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
I had the same problem with the repo seal. Too thick and too hard.
My observations.
When raising the top, I must latch the rear before latching the front. If I do the front first, the pins do seem to be too short.
The hard seal will eat into the paint on the deck lid. You'll get a nice line/groove all across the deck lid, probably from the seal's vibrations. Get a clear plastic applicae that self adhears from most any corvette parts shop.
Cold weather makes the top harder to operate.
I use a rolled up bath towel to lay in the crease of the back window, to decrease scratching, when putting the top down.
Post your resultls on the new seal when you get it.
My observations.
When raising the top, I must latch the rear before latching the front. If I do the front first, the pins do seem to be too short.
The hard seal will eat into the paint on the deck lid. You'll get a nice line/groove all across the deck lid, probably from the seal's vibrations. Get a clear plastic applicae that self adhears from most any corvette parts shop.
Cold weather makes the top harder to operate.
I use a rolled up bath towel to lay in the crease of the back window, to decrease scratching, when putting the top down.
Post your resultls on the new seal when you get it.
Last edited by Sayfoo; Dec 20, 2023 at 12:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
Thanks Sayfoo......I talked to AlKnoch today. They wanted pictures of my install so I sent them. Haven't heard anything back yet. They did say that the new seal I ordered from ZIP will be the same as what came in their kit. he said all of the seals are the same...same manufature !
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 728
Likes: 346
From: Smyrna, TN
Perhaps drop the frame mount down a notch or two?
All the verts I have owned took a little weight to stretch and latch on the rear deck.
The clear film on the deck is always advised. Dust is very abrasive.
All the verts I have owned took a little weight to stretch and latch on the rear deck.
The clear film on the deck is always advised. Dust is very abrasive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 717
From: Marietta GA
I bought a new rear seal for my 73 from Top Flight and it is a bit thick. Over a period of time the new rubber will compress. Like the others have said, get the rear to latch First, and then proceed to the windshield latches. Without the front latches, you should be able to get the pins to latch. My top is around 4 years old and I still have to push hard to get the rear pins to hold, you want a tight fit to keep out water and wind. I would say my top is a good inch above the rear deck because of the rear rubber seal. I am guessing you don’t have the old seal? There is another company that makes rubber weather stripping, you may want to try Google to get their name, and give them a call.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
Al Knoch told me all the seals are the same no matter where I get one from ! I haven't even finished installing the rest of the top to the frame. So the front has nothi9ng to do with it not latching to the deck lid. I sent them pictures of my rear bow seal install and waiting to hear if I did something wrong. I went step by step according the video !
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 619
From: northern CA
I had the same problem with the repo seal. Too thick and too hard.
My observations.
When raising the top, I must latch the rear before latching the front. If I do the front first, the pins do seem to be too short.
The hard seal will eat into the paint on the deck lid. You'll get a nice line/groove all across the deck lid, probably from the seal's vibrations. Get a clear plastic applicae that self adhears from most any corvette parts shop.
Cold weather makes the top harder to operate.
I use a rolled up bath towel to lay in the crease of the back window, to decrease scratching, when putting the top down.
Post your resultls on the new seal when you get it.
My observations.
When raising the top, I must latch the rear before latching the front. If I do the front first, the pins do seem to be too short.
The hard seal will eat into the paint on the deck lid. You'll get a nice line/groove all across the deck lid, probably from the seal's vibrations. Get a clear plastic applicae that self adhears from most any corvette parts shop.
Cold weather makes the top harder to operate.
I use a rolled up bath towel to lay in the crease of the back window, to decrease scratching, when putting the top down.
Post your resultls on the new seal when you get it.
Getting the front guide pins started into the header strike, a short piece of round stock was modified to include a notch that engages the guide pin.
For mechanical advantage, fingers holding the front top frame header bar down, the round stock goes in at an angle through the strike to engage the guide pin and bring it forward enough to engage the strike.
The vinyl soft top fit is a bit a on the short side, likely part of the problem.
Thin vinyl plastic rear deck strips were also installed to keep the rear rubber gasket from digging into the rear deck paint.
Jin
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,122
Likes: 795
From: Chapel Hill NC
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I ve done two convertible tops on Corvettes and one on a Jeep Wrangler. Every time I had difficulties latching the top. Leave the vehicle in the sun if possible. Once latched leave it for a few days to stretch it out. The first time i did it there was a foot gap between the top and the rear deck making me think I had the wrong top. As already suggested latch the deck first.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
They are about 2" wide, and you can apply it so it doesn't protrude around the outside. I've never really worried about the inside. They are clear, and stick down to the deck lid, so they are not really obtusive even if they stick out. Also, they can be easily cut to whatever dimentions you'd like.
I've had 2 different ones. 1, a 2 piece that overlaps in the middle, and 1, a 1 piece. Both worked well, but I think, overall, the 2 piece is preferable.
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 701
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
I guess it depends on where/how you apply it.
They are about 2" wide, and you can apply it so it doesn't protrude around the outside. I've never really worried about the inside. They are clear, and stick down to the deck lid, so they are not really obtusive even if they stick out. Also, they can be easily cut to whatever dimentions you'd like.
I've had 2 different ones. 1, a 2 piece that overlaps in the middle, and 1, a 1 piece. Both worked well, but I think, overall, the 2 piece is preferable.
They are about 2" wide, and you can apply it so it doesn't protrude around the outside. I've never really worried about the inside. They are clear, and stick down to the deck lid, so they are not really obtusive even if they stick out. Also, they can be easily cut to whatever dimentions you'd like.
I've had 2 different ones. 1, a 2 piece that overlaps in the middle, and 1, a 1 piece. Both worked well, but I think, overall, the 2 piece is preferable.
Do you recall a brand or source?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 55
I guess it depends on where/how you apply it.
They are about 2" wide, and you can apply it so it doesn't protrude around the outside. I've never really worried about the inside. They are clear, and stick down to the deck lid, so they are not really obtusive even if they stick out. Also, they can be easily cut to whatever dimentions you'd like.
I've had 2 different ones. 1, a 2 piece that overlaps in the middle, and 1, a 1 piece. Both worked well, but I think, overall, the 2 piece is preferable.
They are about 2" wide, and you can apply it so it doesn't protrude around the outside. I've never really worried about the inside. They are clear, and stick down to the deck lid, so they are not really obtusive even if they stick out. Also, they can be easily cut to whatever dimentions you'd like.
I've had 2 different ones. 1, a 2 piece that overlaps in the middle, and 1, a 1 piece. Both worked well, but I think, overall, the 2 piece is preferable.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,451
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Last edited by Corey_68; Dec 30, 2023 at 09:55 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 55
I'm sorry, I mistyped my question. Let me try this again:
Is the clear, protective tape visible on top of the deck lid when the convertible top is down (folded and stored under the deck lid)?
I imagine that it can be seen to some degree, but just how obvious is it at a casual glance?
Thank you, once more.
Is the clear, protective tape visible on top of the deck lid when the convertible top is down (folded and stored under the deck lid)?
I imagine that it can be seen to some degree, but just how obvious is it at a casual glance?
Thank you, once more.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
The old school film I used doesn't really stick that well. It sticks kinda like saran wrap, it just sorta clings. I pull it off when the top is down, as I think it could blow off while driving. https://www.topflightautomotive.com/...softtop-clear/
Probably, a better solution, would be to use a modern, semi-permanent clear wrap material. The edges are minimally seen, as you can see on any car that has been wrapped. More expensive, unless you could do it your self.
@ Amazon.
Probably, a better solution, would be to use a modern, semi-permanent clear wrap material. The edges are minimally seen, as you can see on any car that has been wrapped. More expensive, unless you could do it your self.
@ Amazon.
VViViD Paint Protection Film Clear Vinyl Gloss Self Healing Wrap Guard (17.75 Inch x 54 Inch)
Last edited by Sayfoo; Dec 30, 2023 at 01:58 PM.