1958 convertable top
I am putting a new convertible top on my 1958, i used a Al Knoch kit following his video. I left the top up for a week to stretch it,everything was fine until i tryed to store the top in the rear compartment and put my seats back in. The top wont clear the convertible deck lid male latch. If i loosen the main frame nuts that hold the tension arm to get the window weatherstripping parallel with the window it will go but frame sags over the windows. I have done this a couple times and not gained much. I have checked the rear deck for being all the way open , i think it is o.k. If anyone has a idea i can use it. Thanks, RICK
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Re: 1958 convertable top
Rick
Does the top fit good when it is up? Can you post or send some pictures? Are you sure nothing else has been changed? The trunk lid is shut all the way right?
Terry -
Re: 1958 convertable top
Thanks Terry for your reply. The trunk was not latched,i RAN out there this morning and latched it but didnt make a change,i thought you had fixed my problem. The top fits good when its up, i had to redue the rear strap lenght (longer) to get the top to touch the deck lid and dont have the rear quarter glued down yet. Need to streach rear area and finish the rear quarters. I didnt lube any pivot areas on the top didnt want to make a mess, does it need lubed to fold better? When i say the top wont by-pass the conv. deck latch, its not even close,its about 3 inches overlap.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
Does the 1958 have the two compression straps that hold the rear bow up to the rest of the top? The strap wraps around the frame and snap onto the vertical side piece of the frame. The snapped straps compress the rear bow/window section of the top into a more compact section for storage. I am speaking from 1960 soft top experience. I still have to push down on the deck lid about 1 inch to fully stow the top so the deck lid will fasten.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
Good morning Joe, Yes a 1958 has the same straps, i dont have them on yet but i can fold the rear bows and top up tight and hold it while i store the top. My problem is i cant get the top past the rear deck lid male latch.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
If the deck lid is 100% open and the rear bow hits the male latch, the soft top frame is not adjusted correctly. I had a similar problem when I was installing my power top and tried unsuccessfully to adjust the soft top frame myself and could not get it right. I gave up and paid a restorer to adjust the frame and that solved the problem. He told me that he spent several hours adjusting it. Your fore/aft frame bolts must be too far aft.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
Joe, Thanks for your input you very well could be correct, this is my first top install. I will go out and do a readjustment and see what happens. I pride myself in doing my own work . Some times it is best to walk away and try it later.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
I just remembered, the other reason the soft top was hitting on the male deck lid latch was the position of the vinyl on the rear both. I did not pull it over the rear bow far enough before I stapled it; so the bottom edge of the vinyl did not have a slight curve under, it was sticking out. Once I removed the staples, pulled the vinyl tighter and over the rear bow, re-stapled it, it cleared the male latch.
Rick, you could provide at least one answer to a question I posed this morning? What type of fasteners are on the underside of your two male soft top latches? Hex nuts and washers or a special cup-shaped washer with attached hex nut (hex nut spins on the washer)?Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
Joe , The front header is what is hitting the male latch on the deck lid. As the top is going down in the compartment the front headed is inverted starting down and makes full cotact with the male latch.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
I am going to have to bow out of this thread as I am clueless as to why the front header is hitting the male latch, but there is a part of the frame that is obviously out of adjustment. I wished I could have provided a solution.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
Is it possible your hardware that attaches to the brackets behind the seats is loosening as you lower the top? Check for any movement there.
I'm also wondering if the decklid is shimmed too much. Check where the decklid attaches to the hinge brackets and see if there are too many shims in the rear/lower 2 bolt positions. Too much shimming there could cause the decklid to be too far down in the "open" position. Not likely 3" worth but it may affect it if other things are not right.
One other thought. By design, to lower the top, one is supposed to raise the rear bow and snap strap it to the verticals as Joe mentioned. Once it's strapped on both sides, then pull the header up away from the w/s and lower the assembly so it folds all together before it sits in the top well. If you don't have the straps mounted yet use a few bungee cords as a test.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
Rick
Did the top work ok before you put the new canvas on? Did you take the frame apart to rebuild it? Did the side windows seal ok to the top, front, back, and top of window? Did you think to take pictures before you started? I like everyone else assumed you were having problems with the rear bow hitting. Do you have the ST-12? The more info we have the easier to help.
TerryComment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
Richard and terry, The bolts are tight not slipping.i have tied the rear section up like the rear straps were on it ( missing the male snaps to install, have the straps) the frame was rebuilt, took pictures before disassemblie , adjusted the frame to the door glass and weatherstripping, have a st-12 manual, the car was apart when i bought it. Talk the previous owner yesterday that had the car sense 1975 and they had a top put on it years ago.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
Rick,
We're gonna need photos. Hopefully you can get an assistant to help as you go through the lowering sequence.
A video may be even better.
If you need help getting the photos on the site we can help.Comment
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Re: 1958 convertable top
I think i already had my son assist me in dropping it thinking it might be in a bind but didnt help. Again the top works when i loosen the tension arm ( NOT THE CORRECT NAME ) on the rear main frame .Will work on pictures or video. ThanksComment
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