66 Hardtop removal
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
66 Hardtop removal
Would someone please explain the proper removal of the hardtop from a 1966 Roadster? The photos in the owners manual are badly faded.
thanks in advance.
thanks in advance.
#2
Safety Car
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: PHOENIX AZ. WHAT A MAN WON"T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE
Posts: 3,679
Received 306 Likes
on
220 Posts
Same way you take the convertible top off. Unlatch unbolt & remove. Hard to believe if you own a Corvette you need help on how to remove the hardtop. just saying. GOOD LUCK
#4
Tether Man
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, South Hills
Posts: 4,539
Received 2,019 Likes
on
1,040 Posts
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
The following 3 users liked this post by dcamick:
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
Meant no disrespect. But since you replied, let me explain exactly what I don't under stand. I understand unlatching the front and removing the two 'side bolts".
where are the rest of the bolts located. Thanks for listening.
where are the rest of the bolts located. Thanks for listening.
#6
Tether Man
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, South Hills
Posts: 4,539
Received 2,019 Likes
on
1,040 Posts
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
From what I remember from My Dad's 66..... the rear bolts or lugs go down into the existing jams (Latch holes) on the back deck.....Someone else may remember more than I do!!!!
Last edited by dcamick; 02-20-2019 at 10:54 AM.
The following users liked this post:
Spowell637 (02-20-2019)
#7
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 49,016
Received 6,946 Likes
on
4,785 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Undo the latch’s under the sun visors. Open the deck lid up and then remove the two nuts under the back window of the hard top. Lower the deck lid and latch it. Then remove the two bolts on the side. With two people lift straight up and walk it behind the car.
The following 3 users liked this post by Nowhere Man:
#8
Burning Brakes
What may not be obvious is that there are two small diameter bolts in the rear of the HT below the trim band. They are very difficult to reach with the convertible top in place unless you have small hands and able to do some contortions. As Nowhere Man says, you can pivot the whole assembly of the deck lid and HT up and with the help of a friend, remove the nuts, then pivot back down to remove the side bolts where the HT bolts to the decklid.
#10
Melting Slicks
In case you get ambitious or just want to be able to take your top off and on by yourself, here's a thread I started about a year ago. It has worked great for me.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...top-hoist.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...top-hoist.html
#11
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Colorado Springs Colorado
Posts: 3,086
Received 1,946 Likes
on
704 Posts
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I never thought of lifting the deck lid to remove the 2 window bolts and I’ve never heard anyone mention it before. I’ve been putting my HT on in the fall and taking it off in the spring for the past 3 years, but do the contortion method. I will try this other way when I take it off this year. Brilliant
#12
Burning Brakes
With my 66 I unlatch the windshield latches and sit in the car while lifting the top up, after unlatching the back lid. I have a small piece of 4 by 4 that I wrap in a towel. I place this on top of the windshield while I undo the two bolts under the rear deck. I use a gear wrench swivel ratchet and all goes easy. I then lower the top and remove the two 1/2 inch bolts on the sides.
#13
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2008
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 31,358
Received 5,010 Likes
on
2,529 Posts
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
We all had a first time. For some of us it was so long ago we forget that there was a learning curve.
The following users liked this post:
dcamick (02-20-2019)
#14
Racer
I put mine on every fall (around Thanksgiving or so) & drive until the salt hits the roads here in PA & off in about April. I do it myself BUT I don't use the back two small deck bolts/nuts anymore (they had a small rubber end on them but will still do a number on your deck). Get help on the first removal as noted above. I also use nice furniture moving blankets on & off w/ back & front header, but any old reg blanket or big towel will help. BTW - I find I never use the soft top anymore unless I get caught out in unexpected rain.
After you see what is involved combined with your dexterity and physical shape will let you know how to proceed in the future. Those back bolts are the PIA.
After you see what is involved combined with your dexterity and physical shape will let you know how to proceed in the future. Those back bolts are the PIA.
Last edited by bbxlr8; 02-20-2019 at 06:49 PM.
#15
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2008
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 31,358
Received 5,010 Likes
on
2,529 Posts
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
I remember taking the top off my '67 by myself, and remember it was a handful. That was in 1968, and I would certainly not attempt that single-handed today. Like Clint Eastwood said - "A man's gotta know his limitations!"
Last edited by Railroadman; 02-20-2019 at 08:29 PM.
#16
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: New Baltimore Michigan
Posts: 1,457
Received 625 Likes
on
365 Posts
I'm sure you can figure out the front header latches...
The yellow arrow points to the 2 side fasteners, one on each side.
The blue arrow points to a chrome ring, where 2 studs come off of the hard top, & pass thru the deck lid, where nuts are attached.
I never use mine, & I actually forgot about them until this post, but I never use my hard top.
The yellow arrow points to the 2 side fasteners, one on each side.
The blue arrow points to a chrome ring, where 2 studs come off of the hard top, & pass thru the deck lid, where nuts are attached.
I never use mine, & I actually forgot about them until this post, but I never use my hard top.
Last edited by Rob_64-365; 02-21-2019 at 09:04 AM.
#17
Drifting
That's one hell of a view out the back door
The following users liked this post:
Rob_64-365 (02-21-2019)
#18
Drifting
I don't use the rear bolts anymore a PITA to remove, just the top latches and the side bolts,
#19
Melting Slicks
I found a couple of beefy 1/4-20 wing nuts I use instead of the original nuts. They are a lot easier for me to remove and install - no need for a wrench or socket and ratchet.
Last edited by Mike67nv; 02-21-2019 at 11:49 AM.