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Topic: T-Top Rebuild question

in Forum: C3 Body

T-Top Rebuild question

Posted: 1/10/11 3:01pm Message 1 of 8
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Ellijay, GA - USA
Joined: 1/2/2007
Posts: 38
Vette(s): 1996 Collector Edition Coupe, LT4, 6 spd 1982 Red on Red, 60k miles 1970 Convert, Maroon, Lt Saddle, 383 4 spd conv with ac 2016 Z-51 yellow Convert, 7 speed (Sold) 1974 Avanti w/Chevy 350 - 4L60 trans 2020 Polaris Slingshot GT LE
I have an 82 C3 with the glass tops and am about to re-do the weathrstripping.  
 
I think on one side (pass side) glass is not attached completely to the frame.  How is the glass glued to the frame and what kind of adhesive is used?    Should I pull it off and re-attach or just re-glue the part that is not attached?
 
Any help would be appreciated!
 
Gary 
StingrayHawaii2011-01-10 18:47:32




 


Gary & Ina
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T-Top Rebuild question

Posted: 1/11/11 10:43am Message 2 of 8
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I wish I knew the answer to this one, but I doesn't. I'm pretty sure the adhesive used is a specialized compound to work with the glass and the frame. Perhaps someone else might have an answer...


Joel Adams
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T-Top Rebuild question

Posted: 1/11/11 10:56am Message 3 of 8
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Ellijay, GA - USA
Joined: 1/2/2007
Posts: 38
Vette(s): 1996 Collector Edition Coupe, LT4, 6 spd 1982 Red on Red, 60k miles 1970 Convert, Maroon, Lt Saddle, 383 4 spd conv with ac 2016 Z-51 yellow Convert, 7 speed (Sold) 1974 Avanti w/Chevy 350 - 4L60 trans 2020 Polaris Slingshot GT LE
Thanks Joel,
I will know more when I get it tore down. 
 
I will post anything I find out one I start the re-build
 
Thanks,
 
Gary





 


Gary & Ina

T-Top Rebuild question

Posted: 1/11/11 6:31pm Message 4 of 8
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Destrehan, LA - USA
Joined: 1/20/2003
Posts: 24
Vette(s): Red/Red 1981 Previous owner includes New York Yankee Don Mattingly. NCRS Top Flight
I'm interested how you removed existing weather stripping and applied the new.  I purchased the weather strip removal tools and 3M cleaner and adheasive but do not want to screw it up.Smile
 
Let us know how it went and what "gotchas" you run into.
 
Thanks -



T-Top Rebuild question

Posted: 1/12/11 5:39am Message 5 of 8
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HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
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Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Gary, give a call to Melrose T Tops. These folks are real friendly and knowledgeable and have helped me out in the past...


Paul



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T-Top Rebuild question

Posted: 1/12/11 8:22am Message 6 of 8
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Ellijay, GA - USA
Joined: 1/2/2007
Posts: 38
Vette(s): 1996 Collector Edition Coupe, LT4, 6 spd 1982 Red on Red, 60k miles 1970 Convert, Maroon, Lt Saddle, 383 4 spd conv with ac 2016 Z-51 yellow Convert, 7 speed (Sold) 1974 Avanti w/Chevy 350 - 4L60 trans 2020 Polaris Slingshot GT LE
Hi Paul,
 
Thanks for the info.  I will give them a call and already saw some trim for around the edge of the T-tops that I will want to do when do the rebuild. 
 
Thanks,
 
Gary





 


Gary & Ina

T-Top Rebuild question

Posted: 1/12/11 11:09am Message 7 of 8
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
T-top weatherstripping is pushed on and held by plastic fasteners.  I have replaced mine.  What you need to make sure of is the number of fasteners that your top has.  They increased the number of fasteners in the later years to give you a better fit.  No clue is required. 

I have had the glass come off of my 82 T-top but the tops were blue not gold so i just replaced them.  I was lucky to fine an 82 CE that was going to be parted out due to significant body damage and blown engine.


T-Top Rebuild question

Posted: 1/29/11 6:35pm Message 8 of 8
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Ellijay, GA - USA
Joined: 1/2/2007
Posts: 38
Vette(s): 1996 Collector Edition Coupe, LT4, 6 spd 1982 Red on Red, 60k miles 1970 Convert, Maroon, Lt Saddle, 383 4 spd conv with ac 2016 Z-51 yellow Convert, 7 speed (Sold) 1974 Avanti w/Chevy 350 - 4L60 trans 2020 Polaris Slingshot GT LE
Did my weatherstrip replacement, and did not find any de-laminating of the t-top frame from the glass, but it looked to be glued/caulked with black colored sealer.  I put a small amount of 3M weatherstrip glue all arounf and snapped in the nylon clips in the rubber and screwed in the 4  screws above the window and it all went pretty well.  I did paint the area above the window where the 4 screws attach the weather stripping.
 
My only problem was the new weatherstripping was a lot fuller than the old 30 year old stuff so I loosened the t-top guides and the clamp bolt and re tightened the guides once they were on the car.  It was really tight at first but it is already compressing the seals and it looks like it will be fine.  It is sealing much better and was well wort the effort.  Now I need to do the rest of the seals around the windows and doors and re-adjust the windows to seal up well!
 
Worked out pretty good so far.  I still plan on replacing the outer rubber trim on the glass tops..... later .... but that is another project.... working on a 70 convertible I just picked up... so the the 82 seals are a lower priority right now! 
 
Thanks for everyones help and advice! 
 
Gary





 


Gary & Ina

in Forum: C3 Body


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