[ebgto]

Did a search and did not find too much on this topic. So thought I'd start an information thread for a good reference. I'm finishing window and top adjustments before a convertible top gets installed. Some work done by prior owner, so just want to be sure I've checked, tightened and adjusted everything before it gets the top. Frame was fully disassembled, parts replaced, new pivot bolts, hydraulics, weatherstrips, etc. Looking for any and all tips to check it out while I can still get to everything ! Thanks!

[428goat]

I don't have a convert just a HT but I would not think its any different than working on a HT. I think that if you have the convert frame on the car and its closed and latched and aligned, then align (run all the windows up) all your windows including the vent window frame. Good luck

[GT182]

With the HT you pull off the door panel and adjust the door window from there. Same goes for a convertible. Body Service manual should tell you what to do.

[rohrt]

Your a smart man to look at this now. I wish I would have when I restored my bird. I have two convertibles. F and A body.

Get a Body by fisher manual to get familar with the adjustments and what they do.
There are really only three adjustible areas.
The Link arm
The Frame arm
The Latch assembly

The Link arm only adjusts how the frame sits above the door window.

The Frame arm can go all over the place. Up down tilt forward back etc

The Latch assembly also is adjustable. I should learn more on that tomorrow.

You can spend a whole lot of hours messing with all the adjustments. I guess I would start with the door windows matched up the windsheild, then match the 1/4 windows to the door.

Then fit top to match the windows. Get a nice even gap from back to front. Test fit with the weather striping in place. Make sure the seal is good.

Make sure the front header piece latches up well and is even across the top of the windshield.

Spend the time now and get it perfect. Wish someone would have told me

[ebgto]

thanks! I have already adjusted windows and have been using the body manual as a reference. I wanted to make sure I checked everything and anything else on the convertible frame. Though the body manual is good, experience from everyone on this board with these 50 yr old cars is what I was also looking for. Rohrt, thanks for convertible frame tips!
Ed

[ChuckG]

Ed, thanks for this thread. This is my next week project. The guy installing my convertible top has asked that I not install the top weatherstripping until after he installs the top. Not sure if that makes sense or not, but he does install a lot of tops.

[jd66]

if everything was dis assembled make sure you install the bow on top of the rear window in the right direction the arc faces forward, looks backward this way but that's how it goes, doing it wrong puts 4 nice holes in your new top when down. jd grim 66 gto

[ChuckG]

JD did you learn this the hard way? And thanks for the advice.

[rohrt]

Originally Posted by ChuckG

Ed, thanks for this thread. This is my next week project. The guy installing my convertible top has asked that I not install the top weatherstripping until after he installs the top. Not sure if that makes sense or not, but he does install a lot of tops.

Good point. Top get glued under the weather stripping so you would only want to put on the side pieces if you are test fitting the door/quarter window glass seal.

[ebgto]

JD66, thanks! I could not find that detail on the rear bow in the Fisher body manual or resto manual.

As Rohrt said, the Fisher body manual explains the adjustments. The front bow is also adjust able forward and aft. The frame arm can also provide more front to back movement and also allows it to move all over the place. Definitely MARK the 3 frame arm bolt adjustments before loosening so you have the original starting point. Move the frame arm, and then height above the door window can change, which is then adjusted by the control arm.

The biggest learning here is that you can get additional adjustment from the top, if you were not able to get the windows right, which can make these adjustments iterative. Before I made my window adjustments the top looked like it was generally good, so that was a good starting point. But if the back of the quarter window is too close or too far, then the top adjust can compensate. If the door window is not engaging the weatherstrip in the approximate center between first and center bows, the control link can adjust that.

For all I know, the top guy will make further adjustments, but he wanted all windows adjusted to the top first. I'll try to summarize all these steps in a logical order, but first need to get the car loaded on the trailer to get it to the shop this AM.

Thanks!

[jd66]

ChuckG, Well yes we found this out the hard way, helping my neighbor install a new pump motor and cylinders we were compressing the top down to bleed the system of all air, when we were happy all air was bleed we raised the top to see 4 holes in top, the reason this happened was the owner bought the car with a new top on it but no motor, switch, or cylinders, who would have thought the bow was on backwards, I guess NEVER assume anything right, jd grim 66 gto, and yes I wish mine was a convertible.

[squidtone]

ebgto,
I've been out of town for a while, and just saw this thread.
I did a convertible top a year and a half ago; redid the frame, then installed the top.
I made some webpages highlighting the process. Maybe you'll find them helpful:
http://squidsfabshop.com/convtop1/convtop1.php


I also will mention I found a good thread on an A body top install on this forum:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=210413
Quite detailed and helpful.

Good luck!
Dave

[ChuckG]

Dave, thank you for the link. Already used it to figure out my top well install.