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Despite the fitting of new seals the T Tops on my '70 still leak when driving on the open road in moderate or heavy rain. I tried checking the sealing using talcum powder but it didn't work too well so I ran a bead of silicon around the perimeter of the top of the car covered it with sandwich wrap then fitted the tops. Once it had set I removed them and what I believe is the problem was revealed. The drivers side compressed the silicon all the way round indicating a good seal but on the passenger side across the from the silicon wasn't compressed at al except at the outside end and from the inside corner back.
It seems that the seal doesn't even reach forward far enough at the front to bear down correctly. Has anyone else had this issue? I'm trying to figure out a way to correct it. FWIW both tops align with each other when fitted in place. LH T top You can see where the silicon has been compressed all the way across. RH Top you can see where the silicon bead has been compressed at the ends but the seal misses it completely the rest of the way across
Hello,
The 2 outer latches on each side can be adjusted in order to pull the roof panel tighter.
The 2 pockets on each side also has adjustment to hold the top panel down. Note the use of shims!
Regards...
Hello,
The 2 outer latches on each side can be adjusted in order to pull the roof panel tighter.
The 2 pockets on each side also has adjustment to hold the top panel down. Note the use of shims!
Regards...
Hi Alan, I have changed shims and tried various configurations with them and even made additional shims for trialling fitment. I also adjusted the front pins but you're re fairly restricted in how much you can move them due to them having to line up with the holes. My next step is to take some accurate measurements to verify if the RH T top can ever fit where it should be.
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The tips of the latches should have a composite material on the them.. Mine didn't and the t tops squeaked until i replaced this material which tighten the seal. The car is not driven in rain or washed with water so Im not certain if this would have stop any leaks. The tips are available from the Corvette vendors.
I would guess that most passenger side t tops have that curve in them. And my experience of tightening up the latches didn't help. I went thru a few trying to find one that didn't have that issue with no luck. The closest thing I came across as a remedy was somewhere here on the forum, a member put some strategic kerf cuts on the underside of the top. He then placed a heavy object on the top to flatten it out. Once it sat for awhile, and he was happy, he turned it over and put some fiberglass resin in the cuts to allow the top to keep it's flat shape. I looked at what was involved, noticed that most right side tops I saw had that curve in them I just left mine alone. It only bothers me when I look at the straight line of black windshield trim and the curve in the stainless trim of the top.
Could be that you have the same problem as me, a bowed T top. I too can adjust it to seal at each end but not in the middle.
Wowthats quite a curve! The leading edge of mine looks straight but that doesn't mean the internal moulding is correct, so more measuring is my plan at the moment.
I would guess that most passenger side t tops have that curve in them. And my experience of tightening up the latches didn't help. I went thru a few trying to find one that didn't have that issue with no luck. The closest thing I came across as a remedy was somewhere here on the forum, a member put some strategic kerf cuts on the underside of the top. He then placed a heavy object on the top to flatten it out. Once it sat for awhile, and he was happy, he turned it over and put some fiberglass resin in the cuts to allow the top to keep it's flat shape. I looked at what was involved, noticed that most right side tops I saw had that curve in them I just left mine alone. It only bothers me when I look at the straight line of black windshield trim and the curve in the stainless trim of the top.
Thanks for the reply, yes something like you mention may end up being my solution. I'm going to do more measuring today . FWIW I don't usually drive in the rain but when you head to something like the Corvette Nationals here you can't pick and choose when you travel so the last trips we had to stick black tape across the front of the T tops to keep the rain out (it worked like a charm).
Very cool thread. I have not had any adventures with T-Tops since high school with my 78 Black "Bandit" Trans-AM. Car looked So cool & so fast. When you see 6.6 on the scoop, you think it is a Beast!
Too bad factory HP was like 220.
But then again who cares, since the ladies loved it.
Could be that you have the same problem as me, a bowed T top. I too can adjust it to seal at each end but not in the middle.
Seen this a few times. Been a long time but I think I saw a guy take 2 straight 2 x4s and sandwich the warped spot and clamp it straight by letting it sit in the hot sun for a long while .Taping and protecting the paint beforehand of course.
T Top leak cause identified..at last
