In the various catalogs I see a reference to a tension cable for C3 tops. Where is this cable located and what is the function? My top appears to have a piece of a broken cable attached to the top frame on the left hand side. Nothing on the right. Is this the tension cable? Where does the other end go? I can find nothing on it in the AIM.
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Re: C3 convertible top
Ed:
My 1974 has the same broken cable. I contacted Al Knoch and they sent me what I think you call a "tension cable", actually they sent two cables. These have a spring on one end and mount over the window area not behind the drivers seat between the top frame and the top frame mounting.
I have asked this same question on the Tech Discussion Board and have not been able to find out what the cable is called or where I can find one. I hope you can dig up some new info.
Bill -
Re: C3 convertible top
The broken cable on my top is apparently attached in a similar fashion. It is bolted to the top frame itself, at the bottom near where the frame attaches to the bracket on the body. No evidence of a similar cable on the passenger side, however. Still haven't figured out where the spring end is supposed to attach. The top functions just fine without it, so I wonder what the purpose is.Comment
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Re: C3 convertible top
Yes, factory original tops from that era in Sharkdom, had a plasti-coated wire rope connecting the rear bow on the LH side to the softtop frame. It was similar to the 'safety strap' used to secure the inner seat belt supports on the body to the frame so they wouldn't tear out of the fiberglass floor in a head-on collision. But, the soft top's tension cable was there to thwart wear/stretching of the soft top fabric when you raised the top out of the storage compartment and let the rear bow 'thump' down.
I haven't seen these in reproduction, but there was a prior thread (archieves) that mentioned they thought they could be obtained from Vette Products in Michigan. My original fatigue fractured recently, but I have both ends and intend to TIG weld the wire rope back to the attaching eyehook and simply re-dip the cable in plasti-coat....
My hunch is you don't see it called out in the AIM because the soft top was installed as a completed assy in Shark days. Therefore, constituent components don't need to be called out for vehicle final assy purposes.Comment
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Re: C3 convertible top
Jack, I assume you are correct about the AIM and the subassembly part. That was my supposition also. As far as reproductions go, they are available from Corvette Central for sure, and I think most of the other major vendors as well. Some catalogs list them in pairs, but my 75's top only appeared to have one on the left side. Did the number of cables vary with model year?Comment
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Re: C3 convertible top
Ed, as I mentioned in my reply to you, the cable with the springs mounts on the top frame over the drivers and passenger side window area that's why they are sold in pairs. The rear cable without the spring only mounts on the driver's side. The top bracket on the passengers side is not even drilled for a cable attachement. BillComment
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Re: C3 convertible top
So there are actually THREE cables involved, two with springs, and then another without a spring???Comment
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Re: C3 convertible top
Ed: Yes, there are three cables. The two with springs are readily available and are apparently installed when the top is replaced to help improve the fit. If you find out where to obtain the rear cable without the spring please let me know since I have not had any luck. BillComment
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Re: C3 convertible top
Has anyone contacted Coffman Corvette about the cables. They seem to be a major supplier of top parts.
Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: C3 convertible top
Dick, I called Coffman and they do not stock the cable (he called it a tether cable), he also checked his used parts and said all the ones he found were broken. I got the same results from Al Knoch. I might end up trying to make one. Thanks for the try. BillComment
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