Car is close. Need seats recovered (some I have done myself and all parts are dyed and ready to go, other parts need foamwork). Waiting for parts for rear bumper (back ordered) and then can put in fuel tank (heard some tanks have filler neck issues so I want bumper on first and test fit tank with it empty) and then can fire engine once tank is in. Once fired, then will hang front bumper/grille/bezels...no point working over those. Electrical is done basically, no issues so far. Biggest hassle there were my battery cables, which are now 100% correct and go great with new 100% INCORRECT GM battery.....LOL Take that anal resto guys!!! :laugh: New siderails are in. They needed some work to replace one section with some corrosion, but I am very happy with them. Top runs square, sits square, and is smooth. Also all the bows are level now. I think the problem with the other set was simply that they were worn unevenly. They were bought used and history unknown. Also discovered some parts are the same but the welding of the brackets varied piece to piece so that could affect alignment. Worked ok, but these ones just work better is all. I'll keep the old ones just in case, or maybe in case I ever try to make some kind of retractable hardtop setup. Its so cool to run the top with power. My relay setup works excellent, the whole thing is running on a 20 amp fuse to check loads and no issues (GM uses a 40 amp breaker). Keep in mind I have NEVER seen one of these tops run before (shows they are always down or up and freinds cars none of them work properly yet). Its neat stuff. Glass adjustment was interesting to say the least. At first had the big space problem but sorted it out. I think compensating for the wear of old parts in the regulators gives people fits, you need to adjust opposite of what you think to get what you want. But its done and top is ready for covering. Door glass sits in slightly at back from 1/4 glass which is perfect since the 1/4 window seals still need ot go on and that will load them up nicely.See pic. Its a lot of work for a car that will never get driven with the top up or the windows up!!LOL But its all gotta work. Oh yeah, might replace the trunk seal with new GM, expensive but the repro trunk seals are garbage, still have to slam it hard and I don't like that. Metro door and a-pillar seals are very nice though, not sure why their turnk seal sucks so bad, or maybe its my car. Lots of little details yet, but I am happy. Of course, website has updates all the time. later Tim
I like that sun visor...Is that a PP repo...:laugh: please let me know asap...gota get one ordered. Patrick
Awesome Job! I can only hope my 69 convertible comes out 1/2 as nice as yours! Can't wait till yours is running! :beer
Long story i actually bought used "driver quality" glass, along with a bunch of other parts. Ended up being crap, pretty much, probably give it away, threw most of the other stuff away. But they made good templates and I had something to compare the restos to, so I was happy when the repros showed up and were a dead match to the originals. Including thickness, which I understand is an issue with some brands?? I didn't bother with date coding. They were quite inexpensive if I remember right, I'd pull the receipt out but that heavy binder hurts my arms every time I move it. http://autocityclassic.com/glass-specials.htm The "sunvisor" (geez you guys are a bunch of clowns!! :laugh: ) is to protect the vinyl from the top header....without tackstrip and top on, it has a bunch of triangular holding tabs and they will tear the crap out of anything! later Tim PS I post these threads becasue i know when I was banging my head against the wall it was nice to see somebody else making progress, kinda gives you the push you need. Thanks guys. :TU:
Tim, did you have to redo the rear quarters? if so do you have pictures where you cut or welded the panels and retrofitted on the HT ones? -nate
Tim; Do you have a photo of the gas tank vent system from below the car? I probably will be purchasing the tank in the next couple of weeks...I have to type quietly so my wife doesn't hear...Did you use new hoses and clamps? If so, where did you get them. Len
Not yet, Len. Still have to hang the tank...maybe these days off. Lots of other stuff going on as well as the car. Later Tim
Looks great Tim! Funny though, I've heard so many people talk about the repro seals, but my decklid closes effortlessly. I don't have that problem, not even with my doors. o No:
Well thats the silly part, doors are excellent, yet trunk needs to be slammed hard to close and I really don't like that....all of it was from metro too so who knows?? o No:
Tim, first off, your car is looking great! You mention "Metro" for your rubber products. Do they have a web address? I need to replace all the door and window seals in my '50 4dr. sedan, and I too want quality parts. Keep up the fine work!
Chris: http://www.metrommp.com/ Tim - The metro rubber I installed for my trunk seal was really tough to close the lid at first. It is now very easy to shut. It has been 2 years, but it does break in at some point. I have heard that Steele Rubber is a bit softer for this application, though.
