Newbie questions 1966

[Jerry Holmes]

I've just found this board. Please forgive me if this has been asked and talked about before. Here goes...Has anyone came up with how many 1966 Corvettes still exist? Or, other midyears? I guess one way may be to check each states DMV. An exhausting task, I'm sure. Just wondered if anyone has came up with any numbers for what is left out there.


I have a 1966,L-79,convertible. Its an early car, one of the first 2400 produced. I bought a softop from Al Knoch at the NCRS show in Florida this past weekend. I also rented his video from CC. My rear bow weatherstripping does not touch my decklid. Its slightly above it.I plan to try and replace the top myself. I don't understand how the frame is to be adjusted. This question may require more effort to answer than is possible with typing it out. Just disregard it and I'll understand!


Thanks!

[Wayne W.]

Re: Newbie questions 1966

If you are concerned about the fit of the rear bow on the deck lid, just use strong arm tactics and bend it to fit.

[Tom B.]

Re: Newbie questions 1966

Jerry,


I think you may have already come across the answer to how many midyears still exist, by having to verify it through state DMV or possibly insurance provider records. I know of no such information currently available, possibly someone else does.


Also, if your convertible top cover is still on the frame and your rear deck bow weatherstrip isn't touching the decklid, it could be one indication that your top has been installed too tightly. Possibly the previous installer did it with the convertible top frame off the car. I don't know how much of a gap you may currently have, but I had one that was more than 1/2" at one time. You may already have this information, but to eliminate your gap problem with your new installation, your top should be installed and adjusted for fit while on the car. TBarr #24014

[Jack H.]

Do you have CSM?

Chassis Service Manual should include a section on Corvette Body devoted to adjustments and R&R (removal & re-installation) steps. Soft tops could be completely removed to make additional rear storage space in the winter when hard top was on. Frame mounts to rear pillar posts giving up/down and fore/aft adjustment.


Having frame mounted properly (good seal at front header and around windows, is a MUST before you tear off old soft top (need window weatherstips in place) and install new top material. The cut and trim process of the rear window allows rear bow cant latitude to contact the deck lid. Once the material is cut to fit, SORRY -- there's no going back and adding material to correct and 'opps' in trim....

[Jerry Holmes]

Re: Do you have CSM?

I do have a CSM and bought a AIM last w/e. I'll look it up. If the current top is on there too tight, as someone mentioned it might be, should I try adjusting it like it is? Or, cut part of the current top off and adjust? Thanks again.

[Jack H.]

Re: Do you have CSM?

If top is on 'too tight' by means of triming the rear window to rear bow, you could well be SOL (translation: between a rock and a hard place) in trying to make that 'canvass' work for ya. Uncle Jack likes the following 'fix' for soft top issues.


(1) Join NCRS. (2) Join and get active in your local chapter. (3) Build a nice thick support library. (4) Cozy up to one or more of your chapter 'mates'. (5) Tell him/her a GREAT joke, get 'em drunk as a skunk or find


a means of your choice to put 'em in a receptive mood. (6) When he/she is in that receptive mood, have 'em loan you


their optional hard top. (7) Install the hard top and use it as a factory template to


align your windows so they seal water/wind tight based on


the nice thick support library documentation you have. (8) Now, don't let any Tom, Dick, Harry monkey with your adjusted


windows. (9) Install your soft top frame and loosely attach the side rail


weatherstripping. Use the frame pillar post adjustments to


re-achieve, fore/aft and up/down position to get solid


air/water tight grip. (10) Install the soft top material onto the frame to PRESERVE the


proper fit geometry.


What happens is 'dudes' over the years replace soft tops and bend, wack, re-adjust this/that to force a fit and quickly loose the factory original receipe on fit/geometry. An 'untouched' hardtop is as close as we can get today to re-creating the factory original 'template'. Remember there WAS a test/spec for these cars on air and water integrity....

[Jerry]

Re: Do you have CSM?

It appears Jack has done this before