[MD79TA]

I'm am starting to think my convertible frame for my top might be bent. If not able to fix what are my options. I see new ones( big money) ? How are the fit on them? What year and brand cars will interchange ? One thing I have found at least in my neck of the woods is it becoming a lost art to find a good shop to do quality work on these older convertible tops . Doug

[R68GTO]

What makes you think your frame is bent?
I believe that all 1968-1972 GM A-body convertible top frames are the same so it shouldn't be too difficult to find a decent used one. I have a few sections sitting in my attic if you do have a section that is bent.

[MD79TA]

Only from some who have seen it. The guy that did my top was a butcher and after three visits it worst than when I started. If anyone has someone in the Massachusetts area that's not in raynham please let me know. Doug

[MD79TA]

An not afraid to take out of state if that's what it takes . Just want my roof to go up and down. Don't think that's much to ask but I have paid top dollar for nothing. Doug

[6869GTO]

So some have seen it and said it was bent or some have seen it not go up and down and said was bent ? Even bent frames can go up and down, usually issue is alignment to quarter and door glass , but that can occur with a good frame to if not adjusted right. Or does it fit good and just doesn't operate properly? Need to post some pictures .

[MD79TA]

I will get some to you I think you will be surprise at how out of alinement it is. I'm not sold that the frame is bad. I sent it to this guy and it worked fine but was no rear widow and lots of holes . What I got back is a big mess. Give me to the weekend and would be happy with anyone's help . This has been like this for two years now and about to get on road. Doug

[R68GTO]

You may want to start by getting a Fisher Body manual so you can see how the top is supposed to be assembled. Check each mounting point and joint to ensure that the proper fasteners are present and they are not over-tightened causing a section to bind up. The main adjustment is done via a ribbed washer on each side of the inner rear quarter panel. There are obviously other adjustments to get the right fit with the windows and windshield header, but start with those two back ones and make sure they are positioned similar to each other.

[MD79TA]

I have it and have done what I can . Hoping to find someone local that can fix this hack job. Funny thing is I have seen some other he has done and they ate ok . Mine is a mess. Had and old time shop look at mine and told me he had got everything out of alinement and not sure if he tweak the frame Hence my original question but he just does not want to do those jobs anymore. So I'm looking for someone who will fix this mess . Hope to save top but if not life will move on. I'm real close to driving this with the new drive train and will but the roof will be down along with the window which are electric which is another whole problem. This is a project car and has come a long way with little money and hundreds and hundreds of me and my son hours of labor ( I just lost him for six month to the police academy ) very proud of him . My plan is to just drive it and enjoy . No shows maybe a cruise night but really not into the bull that come with them. I had s 65 gto tri power complete original that was a strong two car but someone always found a washer or bolt wrong . No more for me . Just drive drive drive. And I'm sorry for the rant . I just wish some who are not qualified to do a job right just say it . Don't hack it up and smile at you And tell you it was a tuff one . Leave it in the sun and it will stretch? Thank doug

[marxjunk]

if he didnt pull the top back loose...theres no way to get adjustments right

those things have more than 1 inch of adjustment each way...thats almost 2 inches....unless you can see the bends..it may just be so far out its nuts....

pull the top back off...first thing..get the top out if the way...then take some pics of the mount area where it mounts to the body...keep them in order...as in left, right etc...lets see where he has them adjusted....i bet it just messed up because he has no idea where to start...i'll get some pics of mine and we can compare....those tops when stretched put a lot of stress...

i never pull the top mechanism off til i document it..theres lines stamped in the body in increments..i bet ones all the way forward and the other is back....same for the header bow..its marked...then theres the floating bow...the first thing ya do is measure where that bow is..(i can get that measurement too...i have a few rag tops laying around)..tape it in place then lay the top on it...most people let it fall...its extremely important that bow is in the right spot..


heres what i do...if i have to take a top mechanism off..with put photo documentation


no top..its important...no top...loosen the bolts that hold it to the body the windows down...close the top frame and lock it down..hold it to the body..be carefull....it should just lay flat...lightly tighten the rear bolts..oh...no cylinders get them completely out..and un hooked...loosen the header bow...it own weight will pull it down and will just relax and sit on the car....roll up the windows you will see if it follows the side windows..its close...roll windows back down

then you can start moving stuff around..and start to tighten stuff....that thing should move up and down by hand with no top on it like butter...then..once it does..hook the cylinders up..unlatch it and go up and down a few times...latch again...then...if it works right..the top goes on...

use masking tape on any chrome before you latch anything...3 or 4 layers so nothing gets scratched

[grivera]

Originally Posted by R68GTO

I believe that all 1968-1972 GM A-body convertible top frames are the same so it shouldn't be too difficult to find a decent used one. .

Does anyone know if this is the case- I need parts for my 69 Lemans and knowing which ones interchange would be great.

[north]

68 to 72 top frame (not the car chassis frame) would be interchangeable between all A body cars 68-72.