C4 conv top replacement hints ?

[muzy67]

I've searched previous posts and cannot find what I need.
I have an '86 conv. and I am replacing my hertz top. The manual says to remove headliner and some weather stripping. I just want to know if there is a way to replace top without having to remove the w/s and ruining. I took it to an upolstry shop to replace before because I thought it was complicated by way of manual. Somebody told me that it was easy enough to do myself. I can do it, I was just looking for tips. The members here have been very helpful in the past with all sorts of tech probs. Thanks guys!;help

 

[Jim Martley]

I don't have good news for you. You will more than likely have to replace all the weatherstrips. There is almost no way to get to the screws that hold the convertible top retainers. The retainers are the black metal plates that the weatherstrips set into and are glued VERY well from the factory. They will tear apart no matter how hard you try to be careful. The second bit of disappointing news I have for you, from MY experiance, is that you should buy youe new weatherstrips from Chevrolet (or any GM dealer)ONLY!! I have found the aftermarket weatherstrips are too stiff and will give you nothing but problems with your windows going up properly and with the top latching down properly.

I put my first convertible top on a Corvette last May and it wasn't that diffacult of a job. It WAS time consuming. Cleaning all the old weatherstrip adheasive off of the retainers and the frame were the worst time eaters. I ended up having to replace the "pads" also and that required taking some very exact measurments and documention for referance as to how things were supposed to be.

Actually positioning and glueing the top on took me 6 hours. I took my time and it went well.

Jim

 

[kenmack]

a shop did it

Even they said it was a bit of a pain.
Saving and cleaning weatherstrip
Replacing clips on the tension rods above the windows
these aren't visible but keep the top rolled over to the top of the glass and they always are broken.
Quoted me $400.00 final cost $600.00 but they did a beautiful job on my 87.