58 weather strip t nut position

[Fred J.]

I see the assembly manual shows the t nut down through the hole in the side window frame and the screw up through the metal strip and rubber. Though the video is poor, al knock seems to put the t nut over the hole and the screw up through from below. Makes sense to me to be down through but it does limit how tight it is screwed down.

[Mark E.]

Re: 58 weather strip t nut position

Do you have a question?

[Fred J.]

Re: 58 weather strip t nut position

Which way is the correct way?

[Thomas H.]

Re: 58 weather strip t nut position

Which way is the correct way?

Flat part of the t-nut against the frame. Threaded portion up in the air.

Tom

[Richard M.]

Re: 58 weather strip t nut position

Some clarification....

1956 to 1958 side weatherstrips originally had integrated studs within integrated reinforcements embedded in the rubber. The front sides and header w/strip was a one piece assembly. The 6 side w/strips were wrapped with a canvas cloth originally.
Roy_Braatzs_55.jpg57sn4441_124.jpg57sn4441_125.jpg57sn4441_126.jpg


topws027.jpg 59topframe001.jpg59topframe002.jpgcloth_covered_ws2.jpgcloth_covered_ws4.jpgcloth_covered_ws5.jpg

Part #'s on the backsides below the cloth covering.
topws039.jpgtopws040.jpgtopws041.jpgtopws042.jpgtopws043.jpgtopws044.jpg

Not available in reproduction now, so all rubber replacement are now the later type using the separate rubber and metals, T-nuts and screws.

I believe at some time in 1959, likely early, the parts changed to separate rubber piece and separate metal reinforcement which then used the T-nut and screw arrangement. This continued through the 1962 Model Year. These are original metal reinforcements, which are much thinner than reproductions available today. Pictured after cleaning and before semi-flat black paint.

P9080140.jpgP9080141.jpg

The 1959 AIM shows the barrel of the T-nut through the frame, then the Phillips head screw into the metal reinforcement then through the rubber into the T-nut to secure it. Not very good photos but shows the method. Original T-nuts shown also. The barrel end of the T-nut will sometimes bottom on the metal but by design it will stay secured. I also recall original T-nut barrels are a tad shorter than the reproductions which may account for more frequent bottoming out when using them.

P9090046.jpgP9090047.jpg


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[Thomas H.]

Re: 58 weather strip t nut position

Flat part of the t-nut against the frame. Threaded portion up in the air.

Tom

Disregard the bum info I replied with. Rich is correct - barrel through the frame. Makes more sense.......... I got my info by looking at the frame of a car in a resto shop - questioned it, was told that was the right way! Hmmm.....

I used the cloth covered ones on my 58. Studs with nuts.

Tom

[Richard M.]

Re: 58 weather strip t nut position

Disregard the bum info I replied with. Rich is correct - barrel through the frame. Makes more sense.......... I got my info by looking at the frame of a car in a resto shop - questioned it, was told that was the right way! Hmmm.....

I used the cloth covered ones on my 58. Studs with nuts.

Tom

Tom, Did you recover the cloth yourself with the Bowdrill tape? Any photos? How did you handle the transistion at the forward corners into the header w/strip?

Rich

[Fred J.]

Re: 58 weather strip t nut position

I want to thank everyone for the responses and Richard the documents, pictures and explanation has proved very helpful. In fact they have answered some questions I had not yet thought of.

Fred

[Thomas H.]

Re: 58 weather strip t nut position

Tom, Did you recover the cloth yourself with the Bowdrill tape? Any photos? How did you handle the transistion at the forward corners into the header w/strip?

Rich

Rich,

Mine were new Al Knoch parts. I thought they fit pretty well.

Tom

[Richard M.]

Re: 58 weather strip t nut position

Tom,

I didn't know AK had them available. Thanks.

Fred, et al......

BTW, For the record, 6 or 7 years ago when I discovered I had my original type w/strips in a box from removal 20 years earlier, I posted a thread here with questions.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?57549-C1-Cloth-Covered-Soft-Top-Weatherstrip&highlight=soft+top+weatherstrip

Roy Braatz and I had many phone conversations and he graciously shared his knowledge with me about the differences and nuances of these soft tops, frames, and weatherstrips. He saw my enthusiasm and interest and was happy to help me.

Roy was a huge help to my learning process and I have collected much information over the years while restoring and installing on my own cars and helping to share this with others. I need to give Roy credit for mostly all of my knowledge. Thanks Roy, I know you're out there.

Rich