How Tight For New top

Ok, I've got the top almost done. It took some major pulling on the rear end, but it's on there. Now my question is how tight do I pull the fronto No: It's 80 degrees out now, do I pull it " drum " tight? Or do I need to leave room to "shrink" when it get's cold this winter. Thanks,
Dan:3gears:

 

Well I pulled it a little tighter.o No: Hopefully it's not too tight. I don't think so, but this is my first convertible. It still has a few wrinkles in the back, but I'm tired of trying to adjust is to get them out. Maybe after I get it out in the sun I'll see what it does. If they are still there, maybe I'll adjust some more.
Dan

 

The '68s use a bolt on arrangement in the back?


Mine uses staples. I've done it twice. Started attaching at the back, then made sure everything was straight. Then I put the top frame up about a foot and kept it there by placing a milk crate between the top frame header bow and the windsheild header. Then I stapled that in while to frame was slightly up, held in place by the crate.

By doing that, I ensured the top was taut when fully up. I have talked to a couple pros who seem to do a similar trick.


Did you lay the old roof over the new one first, with the old one laying out flat? If you do that, you can use a chalk outline to give you an idea of where things need to be. The window curtain can be a pain to get right...I think when I do another roof I will finally know enough tricks to get those straightened out, too.

I think getting the fabric under the window taut is more important than getting every wrinkle out of the window curtain.

It's a tough job, but you're saving loads of dough.

 

Yes mine had a bolt on system that the top was stapled to in the back. I'm still not sure if I have it tight enough, but it looks ok. The back window is still off @1/4 inch, to the left. You can't see it from outside the car, but if you get in and look through the window you can see it. I still need to get it out in the sun and see what it looks like there. I'll get some pictures when I do.
Thanks,
Dan :3gears:

 

Well I think I have the top how I want ito No: I got all the weatherstripping on today, and started putting the B-Quiet sound deadening material in. Not sure how much it will help with a convertible, but will help with the heat anyway. Maybe tomorrow I can start putting in the new carpet:Brow:
Dan:3gears:

 

Dan-

Your car has that pain in the @ss curved bar that bolts to either side of the inside of the car with a bolt on each extreme end? I've got that little sumb*tch too- How did they install those things at the factory, I wonder? It had to be quick. I still don't know how to do it quickly, I was just glad i didn't scratch the paint!

After years of wondering, I finally discovered that this bar the top staples to was called a "trimstick". Not a very good or descriptive name!

I have a couple other names for it, but Jim W. would be mad at me if i posted them.

 

In my 68 it was actaully three pieces; two sides and the back. Held on by big sheet metal screws about every 8".

 

Dan,
One thing that I remember from having my top put on 25 years ago is make sure the sides just touch the top of the windows when they are up. When the top shrinks which it will it will shrink up so that it will not hit the side rails and will look good. A little more material on the sides will keep the top from shrinking up to the soakers and you will not be happy with that. My top is 25 years old and still looks great. Just my 2 cents.

Best Regards,
Ed Gunyo,
ROA 101,
BCA 7155.