[tspring1]

I finally got my vinyl top installed today but I have no ideal how to install the molding around the sail panel. The car had no vinyl top so I don't have any reference. I bought repo molding and clips. How does it clip in and how do the pieces fit to the molding. Pictures would be nice.

[Txbobcat]

It might help if you mention what car you are working on.

[tspring1]

Sorry, 66 Lemans

[Old Goat 67]

67 here, looking at attached picture, note that the front clip has two screws holding it and the other three have only one screw, so to allow them to rotate a bit to not distort the trim moulding.

[Old Goat 67]

Rear V has three through bolt clips to hold them on.

[tspring1]

Do I drill new holes to hold the clips that you show on the outside of the sail panel.

[Old Goat 67]

Well, you will have to if they have been filled, can't get the measurement for you though. Can't seem to find anything in the assembly manual. They are not critical as long as they are centerlined with the moulding placement.

Maybe someone else has their car disassembled to get that for you?

[tspring1]

The holes are there but they are to large for the little screws that came with the clip kit. Can I place to clips over the holes and drill small holes for them. I am talking about the clip for the outside long piece of molding.

[Old Goat 67]

I don't know why not. Just fill them with a good sealer and move forward or backwards in line, as long as they place the clips in a straight line, you should be fine.

[Tempest]

for the outside trim piece, I remember a plastic clip, with a metal screw that screwed into the sail panel from the outside, and the molding was 'pressed on'


for the smaller trim piece (inside of tunnel) I remember the clips inserted into the back of the molding (looked like little bolts with a S shaped wire attached to the head)

The clip would slide in the trim piece to allow you to insert the 'bolt' into the hole. Then put a washer and nut on from the underside.

The nice thing is you don't need to worry about exact hole placement, as long as the hole is along the 'dividing line'.

Hope this makes sense

[tspring1]

I finally got the clip installed and when I slid the molding over them, the molding came right off. The clips are to narrow to catch both side of the molding

[Old Goat 67]

Moulding is designed to push on, not slide on.

[tspring1]

Are there any other clip kits out there?. There is no way that this clip kit can hold the outside molding on.

[Mike]

left you a PM tspring1

[Toms bird]

measure your moulding how wide of a clip do you need. Most automotive paint stores have them. I've got a few laying around if you cant find locally.

[wilmer496]

Digging out an old thread, was the clip issue solved with the outer molding?
I recently bought moldings and clips for my -67 from Ames, the longer clips are to narrow and no way i can snap the molding over these.

[tspring1]

I never solve the problem. I ended up making mine out of push pins. also make sure you seal them up very well or they will leak into the trunk

[wilmer496]

Originally Posted by tspring1

I never solve the problem. I ended up making mine out of push pins. also make sure you seal them up very well or they will leak into the trunk

That was fast reply, thanks!

Buying a matching set of clips and moldings from Ames, you would assume that it fits...

[wilmer496]

I checked with Ames Tech re the clips and their answer was:
"The long pieces with a hole on each end are placed (evenly spaced) on the body of the car so as to form a rail for one side of the molding to rest against. The spring loaded studs provide tension so the molding stays snug against the long pieces."

Ames and OPGI are using the same pic at their webpages for the clip kit so i also checked with OPGI:
"According to the 1966 Fisher Body manual, The long clips attach the rear bent moldings and the wing clips attach the long straight moldings."

OPGI:s version makes more sense, the inner molding is more narrow and will probably snap over the rail clips. I drilled my car already for wing / speed nut clips all around so the rail clips goes in the trash.

Hope this helps next guy who goes for a vinyl top.

[Tim66]

I finally put the molding in a rag and in vice with smooth teeth and squeezed slightly.It just needed a little to make the clip fit,hopefully they will stay on.Good luck everyone.
Tim