Adjusting T-Tops

[SilverL81]

Hi everyone,
I have searched the forum, old and new and have found very little about adjusting the t-tops. Mine do need to be adjusted. Can anyone point me to a location that may have this info or is it time to go ahead and buy the shop manual? Any help would be appreciated.

Andy

 

[Ludigdrums]

Yeah, I'm very interested in this myself!

The only adjusments I was able to make was with shims on the two brackets that hook into the car at the T-bar. This adjustment brought the T-Tops closer and tighter to the T-bar. However, my problem is that I need the T-Tops to go in more (meaning closer together). If you look at my car from the back, the T-Tops kind of hang off the sides. It seems that the adjustment for that kind of sideways adjustment is sealed against the glass of the T-top.

That was my experience but I hope someone else has something of more substance soon.

- Jeremy

 

[SilverL81]

Hi;
I guess we are after the same thing. Mine seem to fit on the bar ok. But there is a gap as it moves out towards the door window and that is where I am experiencing my leaks. Tight at the bar and rises as you go out to the window. The only thing I saw was that the studs on the locking levers act like a stop and it seems from looking at the nerw part that therte is supposed to be a rubber cushion on top of the bolt and mine have none. So I amy need to order new studs for these levers. 3.95 ea at ccorvette central. Unless I find something else out I will try this first. Otherwise I will keep trying. Hopefully someone else has some more insight for us.

 

[Ludigdrums]

Yes you're right...that bolt is supposed to have a rubber cushion. When you tighten that bolt, it brings the end that you're talking about down tighter. However, there's not too much adjustment with that bolt. Another thing you might want to try is adding shims to the opposite side. That way it'll bring the side away from the door window up a little and should bring down the other side. Also, check the condition of your weatherstripping. If you follow the grooves, make sure there are no kinks or awkward bends. It's strange, but in order for me to get the rubber to sit correctly, I actually had to pull the little white plastic things that are embedded in the weatherstrip out of the wholes they are supposed to go in to. Hope that made sense. This way, the weatherstripping is completely sealing everything to the outside. Mine don't leak, but I do still need a better way to adjust them for astetical reasons.

Hopefully someone else will be coming along shortly with the answer.
- Jeremy

 

[78SilvAnniv]

What a dilema!

We need a fix! Hopefully someone can enlighten us...

I have to replace the sleeves my pins (at the rear of the t-tops) slide into. They are allowing the back of the tops to sort of 'wing' up a little bit. I also notice that the gap between my tops (in the center over the bar) seems a little large...but I didn't know there was any fix for this as it doesn't seem that the tabs are adjustable to me.
Heidi

 

[Lee74C3]

I'm at work and don't have the specifics but I do know this is well documented in the 1974 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual. I have adjusted mine to narrow the center gap.

All of the adjustment is performed inside the T-Top after you remove the headliner.

Most libraries have the the manual. It is not specific to Corvette however there is a section (3?) that covers Corvette body issues in-depth.

 

[Ludigdrums]

Cool...I will try and check that out. I hope it is the same for Mirror T-Tops!

Thanks again!

- Jeremy

 

[SilverL81]

Hi again,
From what I can tell the most benefit I will get to help seal the T-tops is to replace those studs on the locking handles. The rubber washer on top has to help some. That is what I am doing next. Corvette central 3.95 a piece. I am now out of any other solutions. The test will be the end of this week. Isabel is coming for a visit.

 

[SilverL81]

Hi again all. It looks like the replacement might work. I used a replace plastic piece to simulate the original till I get them and they are sealing. The test was true. Isabel didn't cause anymore leaks. Now all I have to hope is that we get the races in at work this weekend. They cancelled the Friday race but we are staging for Saturday at Dover Downs. Worse time for us to have a storm here. But oh well, what are you going to do with Mother Nature.

 

[KC-21]

For anyone that might be interested, MidAmerica Designs has a T-Top repair kit that has new stainless steel rod ends, bushings and everything needed to latch them tops tight all for $22.99. Item #600-284.
Go to www.madvet.com to order or to get a catalog.

Good Luck!

KC