Convertible Top Installation project

[gadwhite]

Just finishing up the gluing and will post T-Bolt to windshield installation later today. Should finish this this weekend. Let me know what you guys(gals too) think and if I need to add anything, have made any errors, or if you want pictures of any special area. Got to polish up the top and toneau cover hold downs from the rear area before I install them over the carpet. Also if you guys rate or vote for the thread( and you think its any good) . I think it helps keep it around.
Gabriel

[Bernardo]

I am a fan of your post, I follow it every step because I am planning to do it some day.
I have two questions if you can answer them, what brand is your top and where did you buy it
Congratulations for the good job and thanks for sharing the experience

[gadwhite]

Bernardo
The top came with the car, but the receipt, shows it came from M&T manufacturing in South Kingston RI http://www.mtmfg.com/index.shtml The top price shows as $215. ( do a search for Alfa Romeo) There is a brand name on the top I will have to check and get back to you on. All that being said I am very pleased with the fit and the quality. Should have pictures of the finished job tomorrow.
Gabriel

[JykstA-76]

Love your project thank you so much for the great pictures much much better than the installation manual many of us have seen..Thanks again Bravo..

[velocedoc]

Nice job. I printed this out for future reference and gave you a nice vote to boot. Thank you for making the effort to post your work.

[gadwhite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gadwhite Bernardo The top came with the car, but the receipt, shows it came from M&T manufacturing in South Kingston RI http://www.mtmfg.com/index.shtml The top price shows as $215. ( do a search for Alfa Romeo) There is a brand name on the top I will have to check and get back to you on. All that being said I am very pleased with the fit and the quality. Should have pictures of the finished job tomorrow. Gabriel

[Roadtrip]

www.topsonline.com sells Easy-On Tops. I have a vinyl one and it is well made and inexpensive. The holes for the rear fasteners are punched as well. I just checked their site and it looks like prices have gone up significantly in the last couple years.

[gadwhite]

John
Check the M&T Manufacturing guys in RI at http://www.mtmfg.com/index.shtml My top was purchased for $215 back in July of 2006

[gadwhite]

OK now I installed the t-bolts which hold the top padding against the front bow above the windshield. I measured and then after marking used a hole punch, instead of the recommended awl ($2.99 at a fabric store).



Here is the T-Bolt> I cleaned up the threads with some wd 40.



You feed the t-bolt under the flap and push the bolt through the hole through the rubber gasket, and into the frame. Then secure with the nut.

[gadwhite]

Next we put the carpet back. I first tightened the bolts that hold the top to the back, finally one last time with the top latched.



I also cleaned up the hardware( as best as I could), that goes through the carpet above the package tray. The little twist things are for the toneau cover and the wider bar is for the top hold down straps( one missing still looking). The crome pieces are the caps for the tops of the doors.


First position the carpet inside.



I fed the screws through the carpet and into the gromets in the back metal strip (under the carpet) first, then pushed them through the vinyl strip on the back of my carpet.


Then lined everything up, have to lift the parcel shelfand put the bottom of the carpet under it. When it's lined up start along door strip, then go accross the top back of the carpet screwing it into the body

[gadwhite]

I havn't finished yet, but just had to focus on work for a little bit. Still to do
1. Run the guide wires through a-pillars
2. Take photos of finished job

[Duke58]

Gadwhite-

Thanks for the great info.

Do you think I could replace only the windshield weather strip alone easily?

It looks like you simply pull it out and use lubricant to replace.

Duke

[Knick]

Thanks for the really informative post on your top installation. It is going to help me a great deal in installing mine. I have started removong the old top (what there was left of it) and have so far been able to remove two of the 22 nuts succsessfully. Even after using PB Blaster on them I broke 3. I don't. think I am going to have any better luck with the rest. Does anyone have s solution to the broken studs? I was thinking of drilling thru and tapping, then installing new studs. Any bettersolutions out there? Puting in 20 studs may take all summer.
Conrad

[Roadtrip]

Very common to break those studs. Use "rivet nuts" as replacements. See:
Convertible top installation issues

PM me an email address and I can send you a guide on removing the old top and repairing the studs. The guide will eventually include fitting the new top when I get around to finishing it. Do you have the factory manual on top installation??

[gadwhite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke58 Gadwhite- Thanks for the great info. Do you think I could replace only the windshield weather strip alone easily? It looks like you simply pull it out and use lubricant to replace. Duke