Top doesn't seal to windshield.

Discussion in 'The ragtop shop' started by 66electrafied, Apr 21, 2016.

  1. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    Got a problem with the new top in my Electra. At between 75-90 it develops a nasty hum as the top separates from the windshield header, one can also feel the draft. It leaks like a sieve too. Yet, the catches are really tight and take a great deal of effort to pull closed. What adjustment will narrow the gap between the top and the windshield header? There's rubber on the top side like there should be. Anyone know how to properly line up the top to the windshield?
     
  2. tufbuick

    tufbuick RIP

    When top seats with windshield frame give the top motor another 2 second hit to make sure top is fully UP.
    Just might help to make a positive seal.

    Maybe your rubber seal is old and needs replacement.
     
  3. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    I'll give that a try; - I was also looking at the actual hook parts on the catches, is there any point to trying to tighten them up? I guess the first thing to check is whether or not the top actually "lands" in the right spot and is properly lined up. I'm not sure if there is any movement on the guide pegs that sit into the windshield frame. All I know is that it sealed reasonably well before the top was replaced; the company that did it said they had to realign the whole works. It looks like it's in the proper position, it fits better to the windows, but...it leaks water over the front like crazy. At 75 + with full inflation, I hold the top down in the middle the whistling and the draft goes away. But the arms get sore in a hurry...
    The weather stripping isn't that bad; - it's still soft and pliable.
     
  4. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    The hooks are typically adjustable by just spinning them in or out, depending on where you want to go. They have threads like a bolt.
     
  5. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    Well, I might be closer to figuring out what's wrong. The passenger's side hook is cranked all in, there's no more adjustment left in it. So it might be stretched. The other side is tight, and about 1/2 turned in. So that might explain why it "leaks". Now the next issue is to see if the car is bent. That might also explain a vibration at 75 + mph when the top is up, that I don't feel when the top is down.

    Foreboding sense of doom...:pray:
     
  6. DeeVeeEight

    DeeVeeEight Well-Known Member

    Don't get your self worried yet. get a tape measure and start checking side to side measurements. Someone may have been in the habit of "lifting" himself out of the car by grabbing the top of the windshield and using it as a support. You won't know until you check distances/clearances first.
    If the measurements are good I would start with a new header bow seal and readjust the top latches evenly.
     

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