Soft Top Installation Issues. Bolt to big?
Moderator: Joe Johnston
Soft Top Installation Issues. Bolt to big?
Using this photo as a reference, We purchased the part 354171-S (Soft Top Pin) from NPD and it does not fit through the holes that are made on the Soft Top. The Pin is simply too big to be able to go through and connect the soft top. It will fit through the swing bar but not the actual top. We think the top we were given may just be the wrong top overall.
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T-Bird Bob
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 11:00 pm
Re: Soft Top Installation Issues. Bolt to big?
Hello Sir Sawyer,
Looks like you have an aftermarket soft top.
The original soft top frame has mainly flat irons of 1/4" thickness stamp and bend while some parts are even cast.
If your top is mainly pipe or tube bent and flattened at the ens (as it looks from the picture) it is aftermarket.
Here are some pictures from Amos Minters website:
https://amosminter.com/cte-237/
https://amosminter.com/original-convertible-tops/
Most of the aftermarket tops I have seen have no rubber (cloth covered) weatherstrip around the window opening, but rather a flap of fabric inside the window (like old British roadsters, Morgans and pre -56 corvettes).
Don't complain. I think the aftermarket tops are lighter ans easier to handle when putting up and down. They both will leak anyways so you will not lose out in the rain much. Unless you paid for "Original Top" then you should get your money back!
The two solutions are obvious: Drill out top frame to fit pin, or use thinner pin with sleeve inside the swing arm hole.
Good luck.
Bob
Looks like you have an aftermarket soft top.
The original soft top frame has mainly flat irons of 1/4" thickness stamp and bend while some parts are even cast.
If your top is mainly pipe or tube bent and flattened at the ens (as it looks from the picture) it is aftermarket.
Here are some pictures from Amos Minters website:
https://amosminter.com/cte-237/
https://amosminter.com/original-convertible-tops/
Most of the aftermarket tops I have seen have no rubber (cloth covered) weatherstrip around the window opening, but rather a flap of fabric inside the window (like old British roadsters, Morgans and pre -56 corvettes).
Don't complain. I think the aftermarket tops are lighter ans easier to handle when putting up and down. They both will leak anyways so you will not lose out in the rain much. Unless you paid for "Original Top" then you should get your money back!
The two solutions are obvious: Drill out top frame to fit pin, or use thinner pin with sleeve inside the swing arm hole.
Good luck.
Bob
Re: Soft Top Installation Issues. Bolt to big?
Sir Sawyer,
When I purchased my 56 it came with a reproduction top that was just put in the trunk or behind the seat, although the original invoice stated the car originally came with a hard and soft top along with tonneau cover. Car did have the original hard top and tonneau cover so I purchased a swing arm and was able to attach the reproduction top with a bolt made for reproduction tops until I could find a good original frame. .I think this is the bolt sold by Concours Parts to attached a repo top.
ATTACH ARM TO REPLACEMENT TOP BOLT
tem#:354171-RP
Year:1955-1957
Pkg:EACH
Our Price:20.95 (two required)
https://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dl ... Z50000051c
I have since purchased an original frame and installed with new top.
Dan
When I purchased my 56 it came with a reproduction top that was just put in the trunk or behind the seat, although the original invoice stated the car originally came with a hard and soft top along with tonneau cover. Car did have the original hard top and tonneau cover so I purchased a swing arm and was able to attach the reproduction top with a bolt made for reproduction tops until I could find a good original frame. .I think this is the bolt sold by Concours Parts to attached a repo top.
ATTACH ARM TO REPLACEMENT TOP BOLT
tem#:354171-RP
Year:1955-1957
Pkg:EACH
Our Price:20.95 (two required)
https://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dl ... Z50000051c
I have since purchased an original frame and installed with new top.
Dan