PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
I’m picking up my car after getting a new convertible top installed. I see big gaps in the corners. Is this normal? If not, how do I fix this?
Convt Top Gaps in Corners - Normal?
- Thread starter PurpleBeeper
- Start date
I don't recall any gaps in mine. My convertible is up on the lift right now. I'll be bringing it down this weekend when I finish working on the car below it. I'll take pictures and post them.
PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
Thank you. I left my car at the convertible top shop because of this. I appreciate your help! Also, if you don’t mind, please take a peek to see if there is some type of foam or something between the rear window “curtain” and the top itself in the corners holding the corner of the top up & flush with the body. I “think” mine had that at one time????
Sure doesn't look right to me. Don't know your car. This my 63 Fury...
PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
Thanks Dave. Those are the types of pictures I need. If someone has pictures like this of a 68-70 convertible that would be perfect. The shop is trying to tell me the gap is normal.
BeepBeepRR
Well-Known Member
Pretty detailed video here.. Music to sooth you. Also has massive gaps too.
This video had a 68 RR and the gaps are way better. But still don't look tight.
Grabbed this from the video.
This video had a 68 RR and the gaps are way better. But still don't look tight.
Grabbed this from the video.
Last edited:
BeepBeepRR
Well-Known Member
Also found this in the shop manual. Make sure they have the side retainers installed. Thats what I think seals the top to the rear and side. If you have the shop manual section 23-157
If you need a downloadable shop manual here is the link. https://www.mymopar.com/downloads/servicemanuals/1970_Plymouth_Service_Manual.zip
If you need a downloadable shop manual here is the link. https://www.mymopar.com/downloads/servicemanuals/1970_Plymouth_Service_Manual.zip
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does the top frame have adjustment? I've yet to mess with one on a Mopar
looks like it needs to be raised up?
looks like it needs to be raised up?
1 Wild R/T
Well-Known Member
Pretty typical of a 66-70 B body vert.. The trim curves to follow the body lines and the top has a hard time matching the trim...
PlainfieldCharger
Well-Known Member
Hi Guys, I am currently restoring a 70 coronet conv. The original trim pieces had a harden caulk on them. After re-chrome, I installed the the chrome into a bed of automotive strip caulk. removed the excess and smoothed gaps over with soft mineral sprits rag. It is paintable.
Here is the product if interested.
amazon.com/TP-Tools-White-Automotive-TP-1071/dp/B074FGFZ17/ref=asc_df_B074FGFZ17/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693070740373&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11802009245400501582&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021525&hvtargid=pla-645380628229&psc=1&mcid=5a5eb4de179135ea9a7afaf88d0a62b4
Here is the product if interested.
amazon.com/TP-Tools-White-Automotive-TP-1071/dp/B074FGFZ17/ref=asc_df_B074FGFZ17/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693070740373&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11802009245400501582&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021525&hvtargid=pla-645380628229&psc=1&mcid=5a5eb4de179135ea9a7afaf88d0a62b4
PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Dang, that gap looks like water would flood in there more than the drip tray could handle. That is similar to my problem, but the red car isn’t as bad
PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
Dang. Do they flood in the trunk like that? I seem to recall a top shop putting some pieces of foam in there many years ago to cure this problem. Have you ever seen that?
PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Yes, the side rails are installed. It “looks” like you’d need to raise the back part (only) of the side retainer rails to seal the corners. The shop owner talked about some side rails having an “upward extension piece” on the back end to take care of this (non-Mopar). I’ve also wondered if they got the side retainer rails on backwards (left/right)?
BeepBeepRR
Well-Known Member
Noticed something in your pictures. I may be way off here but those retainer rails could be on the wrong sides. They both curve down towards the back.
PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
Yep, I asked the shop the same thing. The owner said he would swap them, but charge me extra labor and he doesn’t think it will help???
1 Wild R/T
Well-Known Member
I've seen cars that had the tack strips manipulated to try to push the top higher into the corners, it winds up with big wrinkles near the window... The top wants a natural curve, the designers didn't....
PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
Thanks R/T. I installed the last top (poorly) and I added some tacking strips like you mention and I did get wrinkles. Do you know how to get the top into those corners a different way? I “think” I remember some foam shoved up in those corners by a previous top shop 30 yrs ago (?). A guy at Moparts posted a pick of his green 69 GTX convertible. This is how I remember the fit on a previous top
PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
There are a bunch of top adjustments, but there isn’t one to take care of this problem (that I know anyway)
Interesting thread.. I’m working on 68 and it was a poor fit in the corners as well. I’d like to find the correct hardware for tack strips and new tack strip inserts.. mine are a little rough
PurpleBeeper
Well-Known Member
I replaced my tacking strips with rubber trim. The shop says you can buy it on rolls now somewhere?
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