Corvette C3 Soft Top Installation
There comes a time in the life of a Corvette, especially the older C3s, when the weather seals need replacing. Our project Stingray is going on 35+ years-old now and the seals, including the T-tops, doors and windows, are starting to show their age. We don’t dare go through a jet spray car wash without a raincoat. And in a hard rain, water has splashed back from the back window seal, not to mention the road and wind noises when cruising the highways and interstates.So it was time to take action and do something about these annoying problems. With a quick call to Zip, they set us up with a C3 Corvette body weatherstripping kit that replaces the seals on the t-tops, front and back window pillars, doors and engine compartment. Replacing the seals in a C3 Corvette is not a difficult job.
The best advice is to let the chemicals do their job. The 3M Release Agent works great if you allow it a few minutes to soak into the old adhesive. And the 3M Adhesive Cleaner effectively finishes the clean-up task.
It is a simple matter of rolling back the seals, spraying on the Release Agent where the seals meet the surface it’s bonded to, letting it sit for a few minutes, then removing the old seal. If it rips or pieces stay on, that’s okay because the Cleaning Agent will remove them.After clean-up, apply adhesive to both pieces being bonded and let them sit for 10-15 minutes to get tacky, then bring them together.
It’s good to have an assistant to hold the seal away from the surface while you snug the seal into place. Follow along as we do one side of the T-top so you can see how easy the whole process is. Replacing the window side pillar and door seals is similar. It’s definitely worth a few hours in an afternoon. 1970-1977 Corvette T-Top Weatherstrip Installation.
Just getting ready to install my new convertible top and I hope to getit done by C3Extravaganza. I was just wondering if anyone has any tipsor secrets they would like to share. Really any words of encouragementwould be great also. I have never done this but have watched Al Knochinstallation video twice now, so I figure I can do it in about 45minutes or so.I am installing the Stayfast type top. It is made of the same materialthe C5 top is made of. Should look really good on my vette. Hopefullyall will go well and I will have some pics to post over the weekend ofmy big mess.
If you have the video hopefully things will go well, Vette fever had and artical about the installation and of coarse I can't find it, what I can remember about it is the top frame should be on the car and adjusted for proper operation before install less weather strips, and a pair of something I can't recall the name of, great help huh?! And the door glass adjust last, ANYway good luck!BTW, did you do the install of the 5-speed on your car, if you did how hard was it to get the trans input shaft past the bell housing and in? Anips 833333. I did mine last winter with the Al Knoch kit and video. First let me say that when I called to order it over the phone I had several questions and told them I was a complete novice at this. Next thing you know I was talking to Al Knoch himself.
He said 'Call me any time if you have any questions and we will get it done' and then he gave me his personal cell phone number.I got the video and watched it several times, then began. I would watch a little, do a little, watch a little, do a little etc. I got stuck on something (could not get the tack strip in properly if I recall) and called the cell number -on a Saturday- fully expecting a 'Leave me a message and I will call you back'. Knoch answered after 2 rings and kindly helped me out. I ended up calling him twice more over the next couple of days.I don't see anybody being able to do this in 45 minutes. Even the guys at the Al Knoch tent at Bloomington took longer than that.
I would say plan on one very long day or full weekend.Careful with the interior retaining straps on the rear bow. The video does not address them very well and I left one of mine a little too long. Also watch the top piece that covers the rear bow staples (the strip that has the metal tips screwed onto the ends). It is easy to miss the tack strip with the staple gun as you come over the top.I have had mine on for about 10 months now and am still very happy with how it turned out.
It looks tight and near perfect as far as I can tell. Take your time and call the company if you get stuck.Good luckNeil. Great customer service if I have heard it. Neil I am where you wereat when you called Al on the phone. I am stuck trying to get the tackstrip into the bows. I don't want to make a big mess of my bows. So,fill a fellow forum member in on how to get the tack strip in and alsodid you glue the rub strips to the bow?
The new rub strips are MUCHthicker than the old ones I took out. The old ones were about 1/2'maybe, the new ones are easily 3/4' or better.Thanks for any help you can give me.Eddie 70 171296. Hi EddieI redid the tack strip on all my bows also and it was a definite PITA. When I saw how wide the tack strip was I thought they had made a mistake and sent me the wrong stuff. Remember that no one is going to see it once it is in.
I think I even broke a piece trying to squeeze it in. Do you have the fiber kind or the newer rubber type?
Anyway I had the fiber type - almost like heavy cardboard - and I mostly just forced it in a little at a time with a large straight edge screwdriver. Also pressed some of it in using a 'C' clamp. Just be patient and do a little at a time. I think I also used a shot of WD40 here and there to help it slip into the bow channel, but that also let it slip out easier too.
One of the bows is wider than the others and that one is easy. Do that one first for practice.The rub felt is easy to glue on but is quite thick. I did not cut mine thinner but thought about it.
I thought maybe after a while it might compress down so that is why it is so thick to start with. After almost a year it is still pretty thick. If I had it to do over again I might trim off 1/4 inch or so with scissors beforehand and then glue the cut side onto the bow and leave the finished side facing up.I had mine at a show yesterday with the top up.
Not a wrinkle in that baby! Don't give up.RegardsNeil. My tack strip is the fiber type also. I thought about it andthought about it last night, I finally went out in the garage and got apair of channel locks and squeezed the smaller pieces in on the one bowI have out right now.
They both went in but I was still leary so I cameand checked the forum because I was wanting to check and see if you hadresponded. I thought the tack strip should be easier to install.I believe I can handle the tack strip now.
I was going about thesame way as you. Now I have to sneak the scissors out of the kitchenand into the garage.Thanks for you words of encouragement Neil.I am taking pictures and going to post some later.
Hopefully, the pics will be something to look at. Eddie:I did install a top onmy 72 many many years ago.and it took me all fricken day.spent morethen 45 minutes just removing one wrinkle.Honestly Last year I picked up two new tops for my 64 and 72 atCarlisle.and the very first thing I did when I got home was to call apro.Heck he charged almost 600 dollars to install both tops.and both are completely wrinkle free and tight.So instead of watching the video twice and spending an afternoon in thegarage on each car( mor elike a full day or two) I spent 600bucks.spend the saved time playing with the kids mother.(don't tellher I said that).Bob G. Corvette is a registered trademark of the General Motors Corporation(GM) & Chevrolet Motor Division. Vette Registries, LLC is responsible for all site content (except for member submitted content or where otherwise noted) and does not claim or imply that Chevrolet or GM is responsible for Official C3 Vette Registry content. Vette Registries, LLC is independent from GM and is not affiliated with, sponsored or supported by GM. Copyright/trademark/sales mark infringements are not intended, or implied and are in fact used to support GM, Chevrolet and Corvette.Official C3 Vette Registry content is Copyright 2001-2019, Vette Registries, LLC. Volunteer drivers east sussex.
Corvette C3 Soft Top Installation
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C3 Corvette Parts
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