Gap between T-tops

[Jim F.]

At a recent judging I lost points because the gap between my t-tops (1970) was too wide. It is about 1/2 inch. Is there a way to adjust this gap?

[Bill C.]

Re: Gap between T-tops

Jim,

To get the gap closer than a 1/2 is REAL HARD.
Technically you can, you will need to loosen up the three bolts holding the side wedges in place. You will need to loosen the front adjusting pin as well as the plate at the rear.

You can then push the t-tops closer together. But be carfull about how the W/S is sitting on the rear halos as well as the "T". You might have to adjust your window glass as well as the molding retainer for the piller post W/S.

I tried like all heck to get mine closer than 1/2" and had all kinds of issues.

Mine seal really nicely with NO leaks and I have a gap just a hair tighter than 1/2". I got a point or two taken off by the exterior judge too.

I figured it was not worth messing up a good sealing t-top over a couple points....

My 2 cents

[Chuck S.]

Re: Gap between T-tops

At a recent judging I lost points because the gap between my t-tops (1970) was too wide. It is about 1/2 inch. Is there a way to adjust this gap?

Yes, in my experience, fully adjustable...if you play with them long enough you can dial them right in. Based the original cars I've seen, I doubt they took that much time adjusting them at the factory. The spec gap between tops is about 1/8" +/- 1/16" constant (inside edges to be parallel) .

The two outside attachement points, i.e. the triangle "wedge locating" pin move in the body and the front locator pin on the T-top is slotted for some adjustment. The two interior pins or "locks" on the inside edge can be shimmed to adjust the height of the T-tops, or to tighten the pin fit in housings.

See the T-top pages in the AIM, UPC 1 Sheets F12, F13, F14. They don't tell you how to adjust them...that you'll have to figure out yourself.

Edit: After reading Bill's post above, I will say my adjustment was not compromised with any weatherstrip interference difficulties because the weatherstrips are not installed. The fit was for setting body gaps before paint. Once the weatherstrips are installed, it may not be possible to meet the spec, but I have that frustration ahead of me.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Gap between T-tops

Jim,

To get the gap closer than a 1/2 is REAL HARD.
Technically you can, you will need to loosen up the three bolts holding the side wedges in place. You will need to loosen the front adjusting pin as well as the plate at the rear.

You can then push the t-tops closer together. But be carfull about how the W/S is sitting on the rear halos as well as the "T". You might have to adjust your window glass as well as the molding retainer for the piller post W/S.

I tried like all heck to get mine closer than 1/2" and had all kinds of issues.

Mine seal really nicely with NO leaks and I have a gap just a hair tighter than 1/2". I got a point or two taken off by the exterior judge too.

I figured it was not worth messing up a good sealing t-top over a couple points....

My 2 cents

I agree!!!! I only have one TT and I spent a couple days adjusting and never got the crack less than 1/2 inch. The adjustments run out before the crack got less. The weatherstrip may not be made like factory weatherstrip. I look at this gap at regionals but should take pictures of Bowtie cars to see what their gap is to see if any are bigger than 1/2 inch.