fatsport

Can I move the hardware from my painted top to the glass top, part #23412816? I'm pretty capable mechanically and this would be about $900 more I could spend on other goodies.

op z

yes

Gearhead Jim

$900 price difference? Wow!

I would normally keep the old top intact as a spare or to sell, but for 900 I'd probably move the parts like you are planning.

Avanti

I found even just using a top "adjusted" for a different car was a real bite getting to fit correctly. Unless you just hit it closely by chance putting it together, I suggest you allow plenty of time for adjustments. Go for it, and all the best!!!

HAD2HAV2

Part #18, the back latch runs around $250.

fatsport

I appreciate the input. Ordered today for $618 shipped.
Thanks for the feedback. I'll post some pics went it's assembled and mounted.

LimeRay

Are you planning to have just the clear top? Word of caution, the car becomes a greenhouse and gets VERY hot and difficult to cool.

Gearhead Jim

Over the last 16 years, all of our Corvettes have had only the transparent top.
Summers get pretty hot in the Midwest, and we've spent considerable time in Florida/Arizona. The car gets hotter with the transparent top when parked but when driving, the A/C has never failed to keep us comfortable.

We love how the interior is brighter, and with the tinted top, "The sky is always blue when driving the Corvette."

For us, the transparent top is well worth the tradeoffs (price, heat, eventual replacement).
For others, maybe yes and maybe no.

fatsport

I had a C4 as a daily driver about 10 years ago with a glass top and had no problem with the heat. It did have a red interior though.
I'll use a headliner during the summer months.

fatsport

So I received my glass top from a non-forum GM vendor and it is SCRATCHED. Scratch is about 1/2 inch long, on the outside, just above the driver.
Contacted the vendor and they said I could return it. It's part #23242414, got it for only $620. They do not have another one, but will refund my money 100%.
The cheapest replacement I've found is about $750, shipped. Should I just keep the scratched top? I doubt anyone would notice, and unless I have eyes in the top of my head I won't see it looking out of the car from the drivers seat.

Gearhead Jim

A scratch on the exterior of a transparent top usually appears to be white, from the outside.

When we got one on our C5, I took a black Sharpie pen and ran it along the scratch, immediately and gently wiped off any on the surrounding area. Can be done or redone multiple times.

From the outside, the scratch virtually disappeared. From the inside, it was visible of course but not as much as I expected.

You could experiment before deciding whether to return the top. A quick wipe with an alcohol-dampened Kleenex will remove the Sharpie if needed.

iclick

Yep, mine will be used in fall, winter, and spring in S. LA. Painted top stays on in summer. Wouldn't recommend it as your only top in warmer climes.

joemosfet

Might ask one of those window chip repair tents if they feel they could fix it, and for how much.

fatsport

I'll try this before sending it back, thanks.

fatsport

Sharpie trick worked pretty well. Can only find the scratch if you know it's there.
So I moved the hardware over to the glass top tonight. Was a little bigger project than I anticipated, 18 fasteners total.
5 screws on each seal rail - size 15 torx.
2 bolts for the front latches - size 40 torx.
2 screws and 2 clips for the rear latch cover - also 15 torx.
2 bolts for the rear latch - 10 mm sockets
2 screws for 'corner pieces' that pop out - also 15 torx.

Took about 1 1/2 hours.

Gearhead Jim

MikeyTX

Looks good to me. You did good !

fatsport

Thanks guys