55-57 Hardtop issues

[Daves1955TBird]

I have a early 1955 Bird, Black. I have owned the car since 1976 and the hardtop installation is always a problem. Is there adjustment in the rear attachment pins spacing or do I have to spread the chrome 2 hole receptacles bolted to the body? When I install the top one pin lines up but the other hits the receptacle making it a pain to install evenly down onto the body. I store it mostly in summer and use the rag top instead. My Ford manual doesn't go into detail about adjustments. Help and suggestions would be appreciated.

[Joe Johnston]

The 2 deck mounting plates can be moved to proper position. Its a bit of trial and error to get them in the proper distance apart, the top fitting the door windows and the plates angled the same for cosmetics.

[Daves1955TBird]

Thanks, thought maybe the top & its posts had an adjustment I couldn't see. I will move them wider.

[adg57]

After you adjust the plates on the rear deck, suggest checking the front and side latches for fitment before tightening the back plates.

[DynoDan’55]

Plate adjustment is usually a compromise, since if set to fit hardtop pins exactly, then the soft top typically won’t fit unless the plates are angled just right. A lot of trial & error swapping tops is likely before final tightening is correct.

[Daves1955TBird]

Thanks Dyno Dan, I hadn't considered the rap top fit and as you stated on-off-on-off-on and now with a little bump on the passenger side (hardtop) they both settle right in and alignment is perfect. Again thanks all.