Convertible Top Installation project

[Roadtrip]

Many times you'll find that the "T" bolts were lost long ago and POs had used ordinary bolts. While replacement "T" bolts are really hard to find, you can make a suitable substitute from an ordinary "elevator bolt" available at Ace Hardware by grinding it into a "T" shape.

[carsdlt]

What a great post! It is truly said, "A picture is worth....etc." Sharing your step-by-step install with pics is truly a generous act. Keep up the good work, and I know I speak for all my fellow Alfisti when I say "Mil Grazi!"

[gadwhite]

Thanks for everyone's support. Next we have to carefully remove the weathersrip from the front bow. I pulled back the sides and soaked the whole thing down with armourall/silicon lube.



next carefully pull the strip out of the track. You can get replacements at IAP or Centerline. Don't know if you can see it, but mine is cut off at each end, and should really extend beyond the track a couple of inches. I will order a new one,but to keep things going I will probably put this one back in temporarily. ( thanks to Roadtrip and Slash for info on Weather strip)



Next drill out the rivets(6)to remove the track. Same process as before 1/8th drill bit.



Clean and store safely for later.

[Slash]

Thanks for taking the time to document and post your efforts.

The weatherstrip for the front bow is available from Centerline and IAP.

[Henrynh]

This looks great so far, keep it up!

I have a question though. When i bought my car, the top was new and recently installed. The turnbuckles on the vertical supports of the top in my car are not connected to anything. I have no idea what they do. My top fits quite well and is tight so I probably won't change anything, but for future reference, where does that tightening wire between the two turnbuckles go? What is its purpose? Thanks.


Happy motoring

[gadwhite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slash Thanks for taking the time to document and post your efforts. The weatherstrip for the front bow is available from Centerline and IAP.

[gadwhite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrynh This looks great so far, keep it up! I have a question though. When i bought my car, the top was new and recently installed. The turnbuckles on the vertical supports of the top in my car are not connected to anything. I have no idea what they do. My top fits quite well and is tight so I probably won't change anything, but for future reference, where does that tightening wire between the two turnbuckles go? What is its purpose? Thanks. Happy motoring

[gadwhite]

Don't worry folks, work is progressing well. I am through the clean up phase and into the installation phase. Lots of pictures to upload, but just trying to get her back on the road.

Gabriel

[bob7468]

Great post, take your time we can wait!

[gadwhite]

Ok last part of removal. Peel the top off the front bow.




Ok Here is where we are. time to clean up.

[gadwhite]

For this phase you will need acetone, rags and a scraper of some sort. Next scrape and clean the old glue off of the bows. I laughed when Home Depot offerred me a quart or a gallon of Acetone, but I used almost the whole quart. REMEMBER DO THIS OUTSIDE, or you will get even more brain damage.


I found this wicked scraper that worked well on the curved surface, I know it scratched through the paint a little, but I touched up with some black trim paint before installation.



In the end it was lots of acetone, rags and , elbow grease.
Here is the side pillar glue removal. BEFORE




And AFTER




Clean the front Bow underside really well.

[gadwhite]

Now I vacuumed up all of the junk not caught by the blankets, and ( I didn't forget) cleaned the drains from the rain gutter/rail at the back of the car.

[gadwhite]

I scrubbed, vacuumed, then used some Fantastik to get the rest of the grime out of the back area. This leaves less stuff to trap and hold moisture in the rain gutter.




Here's how it looks now.


final vacuum

[Bobcatmo]

Pondering doing this project myself...this is going to be a great help....THANKS!!!!