I Bet No One Can Answer This

[Everett Ogilvie]

No one in the past has been able to clarify for me how to properly mount the hardtop on a 1969, specifically the rear-most bolts/studs. The 1st edition '69 Owner's manual says there are 7 hold down points (the 3 front latches, 2 side bolts, and 2 rear bolts). The 2nd edition Owner's Manual refers to 8 hold down points (3 front latches, 2 side bolts, and 3 rear bolts). I have seen a few late '69 cars with a middle rear bezel/nut in the deck lid which looks like it would take the standard 3/16" carriage head bolt which protrudes from the hardtop, through the deck lid and is secured with a washer and nut - just like on a midyear hardtop. My 2 early '69 cars did not have this rear middle attachment point, and this agrees with the early Owner's Manual. Now, for those early cars that do not use this middle attachment, what is used to secure the outer 2 studs that go through the deck lid (in the same spot as the male soft top studs)? 3/8" washers and nuts? If so, why is this not shown in ANY catalog that I have ever checked? I don't (yet) have a '69 AIM or TIM - what do they show? I would like to hear from folks with '69 knowledge about both the early and late attachment methods. Thanks.

[Mike Cobine]

Re: I Bet No One Can Answer This

My '68 is similar to your '69, and has two long studs from the back of the hardtop. The hardtop stays in place just fine without any nuts and washers, however, using the nuts and washers secures it so it can't be pried out and can't move around.

Possibly, the nuts are an option of the owner's choosing. If you want it really tight and solid, use the nuts.

[Chuck G.]

Re: I Bet No One Can Answer This

I'll go out on a limb here, Everett. I believe that there are 2 odd rectangular shaped "washers" that fit under the decklid. The bolt screws onto the stud...and holds these odd flat rectangular "washers" or retainers. I have a couple of 'em. I don't use them, as I rarely put the hardtop on my 69. Chuck

[Everett Ogilvie]

Part Numbers Anyone?

Thanks Chuck - this is the first I have heard of these odd shaped "washers", but I have suspected that the hardware to secure the 2 outer studs may be unique. Every vendor catalog simply (and incorrectly) lists the washers and nuts that are the SMALL size (3/16", as used on midyears, and perhaps the middle position for late '69 cars) as if they are used for all the rear attachment points. This is NOT the case, b/c the 2 outer studs are HUGE - 3/8". I always wondered if a simple flat washer and 3/8" nut was used on the outer studs, but no catalog lists them. Can anyone with a '69 AIM help here with specific part numbers? And, anyone with a '69 Judging Guide - what does it say (or is it also not accurate)? Don't get me wrong - it would be very easy to get large flat washers and 3/8" nuts, but the point is to determine the correct parts as originally used by Chevrolet.

[Harmon C.]

Re: I Bet No One Can Answer This

Chuck
I believe that there are 2 odd rectangular shaped "washers" that fit under the decklid also. I thought their was a flat washer and a nut put on the stud after the special washer. Lyle

[Bill Jackson]

Re: I Bet No One Can Answer This

I have a very late 69 (original owner) hardtop only in storage. I haven't looked in there in years but seem to recall a square 1.5 x 1.5 washer type piece that went over the stud. A nut went on that to secure the top. I replaced the nuts back in 69 with wing nuts to simplify removal. Hope that helps.

[Everett Ogilvie]

Thanks to all for the replies

As stated in both my posts, I don't currently have the AIM which is why I was requesting the part numbers. Special thanks to the gentleman who emailed me with the AIM part numbers (there apparently were some subtle changes from '68 to '69). I wonder why no current vendors offer these parts - does the Judging Guide specify them? If so you would think there might be a market for reproduction pieces.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Thanks to all for the replies

I picked up some at Carlisle...routing through some of the junk boxes. I've never seen repro's for sale. They're in my 69 somewhere, and my 69 is up on the lift, with my 63 under it...otherwise I'd shoot a picture. Chuck

[Harmon C.]

Re: U-brackets

Everett

The judging guide says a stamped steel U-bracket and nuts are used. I would say reproduction U-brackets would be hard to sell as few hardtops are seen on the judging field and the rest are in storage most of the time. Lyle

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: Thanks to all for the replies

Everett,

If I'm looking at the right "washer" in my 68 AIM, as of January 12, 1968, the part number is 3942776. I'll try to describe the item I'm seeing. It appears to be a "cross" design with equal size "arms". Two opposing sides of the cross are curved upwards forming a "cup", perhaps to capture some other item.

[Jack H.]

Repro job is already done....

Look in the Corvette Central catalog under hardtop and see their parts: 433205, Stud; 433026, Retainer and the exploded view drawing of what they offer....

[Everett Ogilvie]

Re: Repro job is already done....

The same fellow who emailed me the AIM part numbers also pointed this out to me. Looks like I will be ordering a pair of the retainers.

I wonder what the cylindrical spacer piece is? I believe it is listed in the AIM, but without more info I don't know how to determine 1) if it is really needed, 2) the dimensions, 3) if it determines the total length when the nuts are completely tightened.

It sure seems difficult to come up with the proper parts to do something as simple as securing a hardtop (in the manner that Chevrolet did it).

Thanks again to all for your help. If anyone has info/dimensions etc. on the spacer type piece, please post.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Repro job is already done....

Everett: I'll go out on a limb again, and say that I "think" that the cylindrical spacer piece is simply a rubber, maybe nylon tubing that slips over the bolt that comes through the decklid. Didn't know it was being reproduced. Will have to check my CC catalog. Chuck

[Jack H.]

Re: Repro job is already done....

I've looked at my copy of the CC catalog and don't find a 'spacer' called out to know what Everett's talking about. BUT, there are two items I can 'guess' about.

One is the stud WAS surrounded with a plastic sleeve. This kept the side of the stud from rubbing against the soft top's catch mechanism. Also, since the hard top mounting stud is being torqued down via nuts from below, if you REALLY wail during tightening, you'll wind up forcing the bottom of the hardtop against the chrome bezel of the deck lid and generate dents/scratches. The use of a rubber fender washer to absorb the gap between the deck lid's bezel and the bottom of the hardtop is HIGHLY recommended and this may be what's refered to as a spacer....