Convertible help needed. Info wanted on hydraulics and frame

My stuff is all there, top is shredded. I want to remove material and make sure the hydraulic pump will work and replace lines if needed.

Is there any information available to read or advice anyone can give me? Any help and information would be appreciated.

 

Covered in the Fisher Body Manual but it is straight forward.

 

Jim, I was hoping to hear from you on this.

I have a body manual that shows what goes where, but I was hoping for a "how to make a top work" sort of guide.

The switch works, and I can hear the pump run, but it has no fluid from leaks and sitting for years. Can you use ATF fluid in this?

I am ready to get the top functional and start on the interior so I can drive later this year.

 

After all leaks are repaired take the plug out of the reservoir, fill it up, leave the plug out, run it up a couple of times, let the fluid come out and overrun, then put the plug back in.Do not top it off again after it overruns. Lube all pivot points.

ATF is OK.

 

Hit up Hydro-e-lectric and get a pump rebuild kit. You may need to call them to get the part number. They also have replacement hoses if yours are very brittle or broken. they will be a bit long, however you can easily fit the coil of extra tubing inside the body near the hydraulic cylinders and nobody will be the wiser. hydro-e also have the rubber feet that hold the pump down and the plug that goes into the pump.

Instructions on bleeding below, I used a method similar to the top link below.

http://www.v8buick.com/showpost.php?p=1397218&postcount=5
http://hydroe.com/Tips_-_Cylinders__amp__Pumps.html

When replacing the lines I used plain transmission fluid and it worked great. I don't think I had brake fluid, as when the hose broke it didn't hurt the paint on the bottom of the trunk floor.

 

thanks ya'll.

What's best to lube the pivot points?

 

I used a little shot of white lithium grease on mine.

 

Ok, learned to read and found my other fisher body service manual and learned its a "folding" top.

I have busted hydraulic hoses, so time to spend some money. Any recommendations for inexpensive ways to replace those hoses?

 

I tried cobbling mine together when one broke but broke another when trying to fix the one. They kept breaking. Buy new ones don't screw with them you'll be ahead.

I have heard that Chrysler Lebaron ones work, but you'll want to research it before going that route as I haven't tried them.

 

Got the new hoses, and found one of the hydraulic cylinders is stripped out. The plastic inlet was stripped. That cylinder was coated in fluid and the floor was wet underneath when I pulled it apart originally.

So now, I guess I need a cylinder.

 

Heard the cylinder for the old Mustang fox body models use the same conv cyl as Skylarks....don't have any to compare.

 

Thanks George. Maybe I can run across one of those somewhere and compare.