Help! 1980 M1131 T-Top

[stclarke]

Hello all, I have read through numerous postings, however, none really answer my questions, so please bear with me...

Two weeks ago, my drivers side t-top cracked. I have no idea why..the top is the Blue Safety AS-3 FlowLite NN-7 M1131.

I found a repalcement at a local shop, however, I am not happy with the fit (the two tops fit together above the windshield, but have a 1/2 inch gap at the back edge)and the replacement has a rough, dull faded edge trim around the entire top, vs the origional which has a nice smooth gloss black trim.

So, I would like to know;

1) Is there anywhere in or around Toronto Canada which repairs T-Tops ? I know of two in the US, but really don't want to be shipping back and forth across the border.

2) Re the fit - I have tried adjusting everything, including where the pins slide in at the rear, and no luck... could someone please suggest how I might get the back of the two tops to come together, as teh origionals were ?

3) Is there a way to replace the trim so both tops match ?

Thanks in advance

 

[bill81vette]

1st do you own an assembly or service manual for your vette????
the are invaluable to us as c-3 owners as they are the bibles to which they were built and repaired by!!
they will also tell us how to adjust the t-tops....
sorry to hear your top cracked..
so,does the front need to get moved out???or does the back need to be moved in????
the trim maybe as simple as unscrewing from your original top an putting it on the newer top...
I'll see if ican get a pic of the instructions and pm them to you...

 

[stclarke]

Thanks Bill,

1) No I don't have an assembly manual.. have had the car for 15 years and keep on meaning to find one, just never get around to it :L

2) The front edges are great, they fit quite closely together.. the gap gets wider towards the rear, so the backs need to be moved closer together.

3)I'll have a look at the old top tonight and see.. I had thought the trim was glued as it seems quite secure..

If I can change the trim, and move the rear of the tops together, I'd be a very happy vetter !!!

Thanks

 

[bill81vette]

I believe you can get the trim thru any of the parts houses...
comes with glue too....

 

[78Vette-SA]

I'll tell you what I do that works for me. May not be correct by the service manual but it gets the job done quite well and easily assuming nothing is "bent".

I'll assume you left the inner adjustment pins (trianbular shaped that fit into the T-top bar on the car) loose by removing the plastic covers and loosening the 2 7/16" nuts that hold each in place. Leave the nuts just on enough to hold them in place until the tops are on the car. Leave loose for now while making adjustments. Also under these two inner pins are shims. The shims should be a thickness that allows the pins to sit right in the middle of the receiver and not have any light coming through under the weatherstrip - meaning holding the top down tight enough.

Loosen the rear latches where the outer pin goes through (Torx head). DO NOT remove the screws as then it becomes a pain. There is some adjustment in these rear plates so the hole where the pin goes in can be moved slightly.

Also remove the 3 screws that hold the plastic cover over the latch. The latch is also held on by 3 7/16" nuts. Also loosen these nuts to allow the latch to swivel. With the latch swiveling in, with the inner latches/pins able to move, with the outer receiver pin receiver loose, you should be able to "twist" the t-top and get it in the right position.

With everything loose try to fit the T-top on now. It will sometimes take a little/lot of down pressure and pushing in on the rear corner but not too much to cause any damage. Especially if the weather strip is new.

Once you have it where you want it, then start tightening things. Tighten the 3 bolts holding the latch first. Then the two inner ones, then the rear corner receiver. Go slow and check things as you do.

Now pull it off and put it back on. Get in the car and see if you can see any light through the weatherstrip areas. Make sure the window closes correctly and into the groove of the weatherstrip (this weatherstrip piece can be adjusted by loosening the 4 screws and moving it into position also).

As far as the trim goes get some trim black paint. Tape off the glass all around real good, and give it a light spritz. Will look like new when done. If the weatherstrip is bad, it's easy to replace. www.corvetterubber.com sells a good replacement as do others. Paint both sides so they match. The rougher replacement sounds like the original which is not smooth like the later replacements. I could live with it but if you can't I would call http://www.corvettettops.com/index.html and see what it takes to replace if it can be.


Drive it like you stole it.

 

[stclarke]

Thanks Joe.. it's supposed to be a rainy weekend here in Toronto, so I now have a project to work on in the garage !! I appreciate the detail.

-Stephen