C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Tool-less hardtop "quick" release

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Old Nov 17, 2014 | 09:40 PM
  #21  
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Very cool idea!!
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Old Nov 18, 2014 | 04:10 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by 1stVetteFinally
Man, why couldn't Chevy just use some quick disconnect method like t-tops use in the first place.
Originally Posted by PSU69
You guys keep forgetting. Engineers don't design cars. Accountants do.
sorry, no flames, but you guys really need to read Dave Mclellan's book, Corvette From the Inside. this horse was beat to death here - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...really-gm.html
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Old Dec 25, 2014 | 01:22 AM
  #23  
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Madmax032, Looks like you went from the bicycle seat tightener for the rears, to ***** like the fronts. Any particular reason and... can you get them tight enough by hand?


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Old Dec 27, 2014 | 07:44 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by DrDyno
Madmax032, Looks like you went from the bicycle seat tightener for the rears, to ***** like the fronts. Any particular reason and... can you get them tight enough by hand?


Sorry for the late response:
I could not get the rear ***** tight enough by hand to prevent them from loosening themselves. The top creaked and popped when I had the ***** in the back too. While the front ***** work fine, I still would rather switch to the bike seat binder clamps, though I haven't designed those front ones quite yet.
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Old Dec 28, 2014 | 12:36 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by madmax032
Sorry for the late response:
I could not get the rear ***** tight enough by hand to prevent them from loosening themselves. The top creaked and popped when I had the ***** in the back too. While the front ***** work fine, I still would rather switch to the bike seat binder clamps, though I haven't designed those front ones quite yet.
So, the bike seat binders worked best for the rears?

The reason I asked is, based upon your original posts, I ordered six of those bike seat binders from your Chinese connection. It took SIX WEEKS for me to receive them and now I'm not sure, based upon your most recent pics and posts if they're worth using. Thanks in advance for your continued input.
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Old Dec 28, 2014 | 01:06 AM
  #26  
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Cool idea. I had the same issues with my 86 coupe. I used an allen wrench best I remember when I first bought the car as it didn't come with the tool either.

What I went with later that solved it for me was a lithium rechargeable ratchet I bought at walmart. Kept it in the storage bin in the hatch area. I could pull the top or tighten it down about 60 seconds if I was in a hurry. Zero effort and it never backed out on me when I used it to tighten the bolts down.

Id charge it overnight every 6 months. Never ran down on me.

Still have the ratchet just not that car anymore
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Old Dec 28, 2014 | 08:01 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by crowz
Cool idea. I had the same issues with my 86 coupe. I used an allen wrench best I remember when I first bought the car as it didn't come with the tool either.

What I went with later that solved it for me was a lithium rechargeable ratchet I bought at walmart. Kept it in the storage bin in the hatch area. I could pull the top or tighten it down about 60 seconds if I was in a hurry. Zero effort and it never backed out on me when I used it to tighten the bolts down.

Id charge it overnight every 6 months. Never ran down on me.

Still have the ratchet just not that car anymore
Yup, me too. Have a Ryobi, a couple of B&D's and a Harbor Freight special. However, having spent some recent time in C5's and C6's, I've been looking for a more "elegant" solution. Don't think there is one... think you've got it right, Crowz!
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Old Dec 29, 2014 | 07:53 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by DrDyno
So, the bike seat binders worked best for the rears?

The reason I asked is, based upon your original posts, I ordered six of those bike seat binders from your Chinese connection. It took SIX WEEKS for me to receive them and now I'm not sure, based upon your most recent pics and posts if they're worth using. Thanks in advance for your continued input.
I ordered another set of the binder bolts from that seller and I think that they took almost 4 weeks to get to me which is pretty sad, let alone 6 weeks which is terrible. Fortunately, they all look good so hopefully I can create the front ones this week...

edit: I just realized that I may have misled you with the front *****. I originally made ***** for front and rear but being unhappy with the rear ones, I created the binder bolt solution. I just have not gotten to replacing the front ones with binder bolts yet, though the larger front ***** work well enough as is so I am not rushing.

Last edited by madmax032; Dec 29, 2014 at 07:57 PM.
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