Just wondering if any one has ever changed the plastic parts that surrounds the two holes the Convertible top latches into.

I'm talking about the 2 holes on the back of the Vette, not the ones over the windshield.

Both of the plastic parts are cracked and peaces are missing, and when the top is down they look like crap.
I recently changed the convertible top and I'd really like to change these plastic things also.

Are these the parts I am looking for? and are they hard to change.
http://store.yahoo.com/corvetteforum/zip-ct-92-sc.html

Thanks guys! :cheers:

Ps: should I be posting this in the tech/performance section or the general section?

 

i'm not sure i understand your question.... :confused: my 89 has what are two oval plates that bolt down through the rear hatch...how ever mine are metal :skep: as a matter of fact i just took them off and repainted them black...they say GM and corvette on them so i think they are original... :cheers:

 

I wish I had a picture...

the convitable top has two metal stubs that latch into two holes in the rear hatch of the vette.

those two holes have platic surroundings.... "mine are platic" I don't know if they changed them to metal in 89... because I have a 88 vette and they are black plastic.

Does any one else know about this?

 

they must have changed them...i know exactly what your talking about as far as location...they are on the xterior of the car and hold the back of the top to the rear hatch when top is up...i can probally get ya some pics and even maybe some part numbers....if they did change them to metal that might be a better way to go. :D :cheers: maybe someone with an older vert will chime in here..

 

Yep! thats what I'm talking about alright!

I posted a Web link in my first post right up here... its a link on the corvette
forum restoration section of the web site.... its called a "Conv top rear latch bezel"

is this what I'm looking for?

 

My '86 has the metal holes, sorry no plastic

 

No pic came up with your link, but I'm pretty sure those are what you're after. They were plastic til the hardtop option came out in '89, then they changed to metal.
They're easy to replace, two nuts each under the deck lid. Do a search, there are some recent photos on them by "Chaos" in C4 tech! Good luck!

 

Stef,

how did your convertible top replacement turn out

Where did you buy it?
How much?
New weatherstripping?
Where did you get the weatherstripping
How long did it take you to complete?

I'm asking because I will be putting a new top on mine soon.


Thanks,

Chuck


[Modified by chucks88, 1:22 PM 6/27/2003]

 

Stef, I ordered the ones you listed awhile back. I finaly got aroung to install them, and was surprised to find out they were metal. I liked my plastic ones better, but since they were shot...
Well i popped out the old and...and... the new metal ones didn't fit! :mad
I haven't called Eclers yet to get the scoop, but I was thinking of giving the general a call to see if there were any plastic one's still available.

 

Thanks Severe, I'm glad I didn't order those metals ones.

This forum really ROCKS!!

I'll probably end up calling GM also and just order them (if they are not discontinued)... knowing how expensive corvette parts are I'll probably end up waiting a bit though.. "moving out soon, really need to save money". :nonod:

Anyway's, about the convertible top.
They don't make them anymore, they're discontinued... so don't even bother calling GM

I ordered mine from a Corvette Magazine a "jobber" or "after market" top... what ever you want to call it. I don't remember the company name. I'm at work at the moment, when I go outside on my break I'll go in my car and let you guys know.

The top wasn't that hard to replace but its a good idea to have someone with at least a bit of experience do it with you... or someone that already done it before... "even if they haven't done it on a vette". The top fit my car like a glove, no problems there. PLEASE! reserve yourself a full day to do it. The thing has no tacks, and barely any screws/moldings holding it... its mostly glue.. yep! plain hold glue.
You'll have to use contact glue, you know that yellow glue that comes inside a metal can that you can buy in any hardware store or "Canadian tire" if your from Canada.

Anyway's, after you apply the glue on the material sections that needs to be glued.. you'll have to wait about 10 - 15 minutes and then push the convertible top material together so that it sticks. If you just apply the glue and then try to make it stick... it won't stick very well, you have to let the glue air dry a bit until it becomes gummy "you'll understand when you do it".

There are a few moldings and screws holding the material in place... one molding beside each windows and in front of the convertible top.
You just have to unscrew them and then you'll notice the glue holding the material together... so? is not complicated knowing were to apply glue if you notice were it was in the first place on the older top. :)

Just to let you guys know I did have some help doing this, "my step dad owns a body shop". He hasn't done many of these in his life, he normally sends his customer to one of his friends, but in my case we wanted to save $$ and we/I like to do stuff on my own on my vette. Its a learning experience for me and I used to be very "car Iliterate" before I got my vette, I still am on a lot of subjects. oh well! can't know every thing right.

Anyway's, it take time and patience to do it more then anything.
I didn't feel comfortable doing this on my own at first, but now that I've done it I feel more then capable to do it on my own. "with maybe a sidekick to hold the top for me wile I apply the glue".

This top is very small and isn't has hard has other tops to install "I was told that bigger the top, harder it is to install".

I though that an after market of a jobber top would of been harder to install.

It looks great now! :)

 

Sorry I didn't anser all your quetions!

Where did you buy it? Let you know when I find out! can't remember :)
How much? 650.00$ CDN
New weatherstripping? NO, some of them were glued, was very carefull when removing them. Reglued the ones that were glued.. some of them weren't glued. "use your judgement" I could tell my top had been replaced before.
Where did you get the weatherstripping... I think the only place to get this would be GM "very expensive"
How long did it take you to complete? 1 day

 

Thanks for your help Stef.

Chuck