Top panel Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mount NC
Top panel Question
Okay guys, how about some help/advise. I bought my 85 and it had a cracked smoked top panel. The owner said it happened a couple of weeks before and a new one was on order. After the top came in, I sealed the deal on the car. He said he was still waiting on a hardware kit, but it should be in soon and he would mail it to me. Six weeks later, no kit. This is my first vette, but I figured the hardware would go from the old top, so I laid them out side by side. The front mounting is different. I see online that one of the catalogue places has a kit to retrofit a latter model top (about $99). Is this for real? I called the guy and said we had the wrong top, but he says that is what the kit does. I like the guy, but I'm getting tired of this. He says he has been bugging the body shop guy that ordered the top (insurance reasons) and now is told that they are trying to find one.
Questions
1. Does this kit actually work right. I have a brand new top that I would love to use even if I have to order this myself.
2. How do I identify which of the 2 latter model tops I have. I always guess I could ebay this one and have mine repaired. I would come out okay I guess.
Thoughts/suggestions/help
:confused:
Questions
1. Does this kit actually work right. I have a brand new top that I would love to use even if I have to order this myself.
2. How do I identify which of the 2 latter model tops I have. I always guess I could ebay this one and have mine repaired. I would come out okay I guess.
Thoughts/suggestions/help
:confused:
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 17
From: Darlington, MD
Re: Top panel Question (dmorris)
There are 3 different tops. 85-early 86,Late86-88 and 89-96. I had an 85 with a bad top and replaced it w/ a newer one. First you need to find out what year top you have and then get the kit to change the car so the top will fit. I got my parts from contemporary corvette for $100 and it only took about an hour to change. If you have a new top I would go that route because it will be hard to find a top for an 85 in good shape. If you have any other questions let me know, Guy
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mount NC
Re: Top panel Question (dmorris)
Thanks Guy. Mainly I just wanted to hear that this kit works okay. I was beginning to think I got hosed. I found a drawing showing the top mounts and I think mine must be the 89 and later top because the front adjustable mount points are almost triangular like the picture.
Any more help?
I've had this car about a month, and it is proof of Murphy's Law. I can't wait until I can get the bugs worked out and just enjoy. I'm not giving up, I've always wanted a corvette. Now if I can just get it in and out of the tranny shop next week. I've got to get the supposedly rebuilt transmission fixed.
Any more help?
I've had this car about a month, and it is proof of Murphy's Law. I can't wait until I can get the bugs worked out and just enjoy. I'm not giving up, I've always wanted a corvette. Now if I can just get it in and out of the tranny shop next week. I've got to get the supposedly rebuilt transmission fixed.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Work is the curse of the drinking classes
Re: Top panel Question (dmorris)
I had a helluva time getting my 86 Vette up to daily driveable condition after buying it in 99 with 97k miles on the ODO. Took me about 2 1/2 years and $5,000, the car is mechanically 100% perfect. I have taken it on road trips with absolutely no worries now.
Here are some items you will probably be replacing in the next few years
(if not done already):
Driveshaft, 1/2 shaft U-joints
ignition- coil,cap,rotor,plugs,wires
rack and pinion (*#&@$^ GM!)
upper/lower front ball joints
tie rod ends
Idle Air Control Motor
Throttle Position Sensor
Shocks
O2
Some new misc seals (rear end, tranny, valve covers, manifold, etc.)
Fuel pump & filter
I considered my Vette in real good shape when I got it. This is an just an idea of what an 85 might need if it is around 100k miles or so if it's like mine.
Most importantly, be patient, and take it one step at a time, one dollar at a time. My car was driveable the whole time, and I just pecked away at it over 2 1/2 years. Enjoy and good luck!
Here are some items you will probably be replacing in the next few years
(if not done already):
Driveshaft, 1/2 shaft U-joints
ignition- coil,cap,rotor,plugs,wires
rack and pinion (*#&@$^ GM!)
upper/lower front ball joints
tie rod ends
Idle Air Control Motor
Throttle Position Sensor
Shocks
O2
Some new misc seals (rear end, tranny, valve covers, manifold, etc.)
Fuel pump & filter
I considered my Vette in real good shape when I got it. This is an just an idea of what an 85 might need if it is around 100k miles or so if it's like mine.
Most importantly, be patient, and take it one step at a time, one dollar at a time. My car was driveable the whole time, and I just pecked away at it over 2 1/2 years. Enjoy and good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter Florida
Re: Top panel Question (dmorris)
I've had this car about a month, and it is proof of Murphy's Law. I can't wait until I can get the bugs worked out and just enjoy. I'm not giving up, I've always wanted a corvette.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 17
From: Darlington, MD
Re: Top panel Question (dmorris)
Yea, there are pics of the mountings in Ecklers Catalog. If it is triangular it should be 89 and up top. The kit will work fine and like I said only takes about an hour. These cars are alot of fun but can drive you crazy also. I did alot of work on my 85 and it was both frustrating and rewarding. When I bought the 96 I wanted a car I could just put the key in and drive and that is about all I have done. Any questions on the 85 feel free to e-mail me.Good Luck, Guy
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Monongahela PA
Re: Top panel Question (dmorris)
Maybe I'm wrong here, but.....
My understanding is that the only parts that have to be replaced are the front attachments at the windshield to make the tops work on different years.
That said, go on Ebay and contact fparts, redneck43, bchvette, vette2vette, ghoward, and there are others I can't think of right now. These guys are dismantlers and should be able to come up with the parts you need at a reasonable price. That $100.00 pricing seems pretty high to me. I remember seeing them on Ebay for $20.00 a short time ago.
My understanding is that the only parts that have to be replaced are the front attachments at the windshield to make the tops work on different years.
That said, go on Ebay and contact fparts, redneck43, bchvette, vette2vette, ghoward, and there are others I can't think of right now. These guys are dismantlers and should be able to come up with the parts you need at a reasonable price. That $100.00 pricing seems pretty high to me. I remember seeing them on Ebay for $20.00 a short time ago.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 17
From: Darlington, MD
Re: Top panel Question (qwerty111)
It also requires the black plastic piece that goes across the top of the windshield. $100 is about the going rate. I'm sure if you look real hard you can find them cheaper. If anyone wants to change their 87-96 vette to fit and 85 top, I have the parts real cheap, LOL, Guy