My '88 had about an 18 inch crack down the middle of it, from the front to the back. I just put silocon on it for now to keep it from getting bigger because I cant afford a new one now. 2 questions: Any recommendations on who to get a new top from? Someone told me because the C4 "flexes" so much that this can be a common problem. Is it? Should I get the body brace that Midamerica sells that bolts on the top? Thanks everyone.

 

I recently had the same problem. I bought my replacement from The Last Detail. I am satisfied with the quality, fit and price...

http://www.tld-corvette.com

 

I don't believe it is a common problem, since the only thing chassis "flex" can do to the top is twist it, not pull it apart laterally...which is what cracked your top ( either that or harsh handling of the top when it was off the car).
If you want to stop further cracking, you must stop-drill the crack; i.e. drill a small hole at the very end of the crack. Then fill the hole with more silicone rubber to prevent leaks. The rubber itself has no strength and will not stop cracking.

Larry
code5coupe

 

The only time it would just crack like that is if someone lifted the car from one side and didn't take the top off. The body flex is only enough to crack it from that pressure. Fiberglass flexing, glass top bolted between the flexing sides.. bad mixture!

Make sure that when you get your new top, nobody EVER lifts the car with the top still on. Even if it's all four wheels at the same time.. you can never be too careful with those things

~Derek

 

I read recently that you should never attempt to lift or jack the car with the top removed. The top is an important part of the structure of the car and must be in place. Windows must also be in the up position with both doors securely closed. Which is correct?

 

Just so all of you are more aware of this... mishandling the top incorrectly or lifting the car isn't the only cause of the top cracking.
I bought a blue tinted acrylic top a few months ago. Well, I had the top on during the summer. I never jacked up the car or anything like that. Well, one day i noticed that there was what looked like a hairline crack/fracture in the top.. Not thinking too much about it, I didn't give it much further inspection.. Well, fast forward 2-3 days and i notice that the crack has dramatically enlarged. The crack gew a lot. The only reason why the crack would have occurred is because of the extreme heat of the Texas sun during the summer. The top was being baked under the sun, and it eventually cracked.

I'm not the only one this happened to, however. I talked with the vette dealership that i bought the top from, and i was told that the same exact thing happened to someone else a couple days prior.

I may temporarily try to fix the crack by drilling the hole and filling in the hole/crack with some sort of sealant.

Anyway, i thought i'd give you guys the scoop on other reason why a top might crack.

VetteUSA

 

How did you come across us(Atlanta Corvette-MC/TLD/BAV.net) being in NC??

 

As for me, I found The Last Detail Corvette Supply on the net a few years ago. I've ordered a lot of pieces and parts (especially for the 81 I used to own) and have gotten nothing but superior parts and service. I like 'em!!

Just my $.02