69 T-Top Fit

[Don W.]

If I remove my drivers side T-Top and look down the inside front edge of the passanger side t-top; I can see light coming in across the front edge and a gap for a significant portion of the front edge. There is a small weather seal at this location but it does not come close to making a seal across the laeding edge. Is this normal or is this something I need to address? Any input on what needs to be done?

I have contact at the left and right corners but not in the middle.

Also there is slight indentation across the front of the chrome piece that the T-Top lies on. This channel accross the front has black material in it. Is this a weather seal or old accumulated dirt?

Thanks....Don

[Jim T.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

Don I believe from your description you are referencing the area where the top piece of the windshield molding meets the chrome piece on top of the windshield header.
From the factory on my 68 and 70 this meeting area was sealed with some kind of sealant. My 68's has not been disturbed. The sealant is not black. On my 70 since both pieces have been removed for other work, I resealed this area with 3M strip strip calk. Working the strip calk to look good, I then masked around the calk and painted the calk with black semi-gloss paint. I wanted the paint on it so it would not attract and hold dirt.
If your windshield has been replaced, you may have something similiar as an replacement sealer between the two pieces of metal.

[Don W.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

Jim...thanks Does the front edge of your T-Top where there is a ~ 1/4" wide weather strip running the front length of the T-Top make full contact with the top of the car??? I have long sections with no contact and an air gap....Don

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

Don,
I believe that small forward rubber strip is to minimize wind noise, and possibly wind whistle. I don't think it has anything to do with water intrusion, although if it sealed well it would certainly help in that regard. The center gap between the panels negates any water intrusion protection of that front strip. I suspect if the gap at the front is too wide you would notice the wind noise -- above all the other noises early C3s have.

The weatherstrip that is farther back on the tops is supposed to prevent water intrusion. We should not go into how well it does its job.

[Don W.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

Terry,

Yes I know about the T-Top leaks and mine are going in this week to be worked on.

Any idea what the name or part number is for that leading edge rubber piece on the T-Top; I'm not seeing it the AIM or various vendor web sites?

Don

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

I would have to go look at my garage stash, but I believe it is part of the stainless steel molding that presses on the front and wraps around the side of the top panel. Years ago, when I ordered a replacement top panel, it came in the box with the panel. Joe Lucia would know for sure, but I expect that was the only way to get it, unless someone is reproducing them.

[Bill C.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

I am pretty sure that rubber piece is not reproduced.

I also think that the reproduction SS trim for the leading edge of the T-Top does not have the rubber with it.

NOS seems to be the only choice - or really nice used pieces.

[Jim T.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

Don my original t-top weatherstips on my 70 gave me some really good service. Used them for about 36 years and drove in some really heavy rain and did not have any water leakage problems coming under the t-top weatherstrip.
Due to their age, I had some cracking on the perimeter of the t-top weatherstripping where it is thin and does not seal. So a couple years ago I replaced both t-tops with new from GM t-top weatherstripping I had purchased several years earlier. Have to be careful getting the plastic retainers out of the t-top, loose one inside the t-top, just condsider it gone.
Since my 70 is not a daily driver anymore I have not tested it in heavy rain like I experienced in earlier years, but have driven in some light rain a couple of times with no leaks.
Reference you question about the t-tops front leading edge weatherstripping. Tonight I looked from the front at mine and it looked like it was sealing. I took a 3X5 index card and placed it to the sealing contact area to verify.
On the drivers side t-top the weatherstipping sealed except in the middle area, there was about a 8 inch area that I could put the card through. Could not go under the weatherstrip on each side of this area. The card felt like there was still contact on the card from the weatherstip, so the gap is not huge.
On the passenger side it was the same way, only the area in the center of the t-top I could slide the card in. It was a smaller area also, only about 5 inches.
If this weatherstripping was new it might give better sealing. Mine will be 39 years old in July. I don't know where this weatherstipping can be purchased. It being crimped onto the t-top could be a challange to replace.

[Warren F.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

Don,

That front roof panel trim piece with crimped on rubber seal should be GR. 12.075, Part # 3972303. I have a couple of these NOS, bought back in '76 (date code on packaging 76H6).

Depending on who was assembling these pieces, depends on how well the rubber sealer is crimped in place to the stainless trim moulding. They were not uniform, but do have variances, the rubber being pushed in more on some trim pieces and others being further out.

[Don W.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

Warren/ Jim,

My gap is probably 1/8" across a substantial portion. Do you have any info on the approximate thickness of the strip? I just wondering if it is even worth the effort to address if it is not big enough to close the gap.

Don

[Warren F.]

Re: 69 T-Top Fit

Don,

I just measured the rubber seal thickness as it is crimped onto the stainless metal moulding. I measured a used nice condition piece from the drivers side roof panel. It measured .130, I then measured an NOS piece same side, it measured .180, both measurements taken right in the middle of the length of the stainless moulding. When I took measurements of the NOS piece from one end to the other the thickness measurement changed, so it is not consistent, this was true of the used nice condition piece as well.