1962 Hard Top Questions

[Jeff C.]

Just purchased a hard top for my 62 and will be be replacing some of the weather striping. My first task is to replace the front header weather striping. I have no experience with hard tops and my first question is the AIM shows the WS being scured with adhesive and a number of clips with screws. Mine appears to be held with clips and rivets. If they actually are screws they have no visiable slots. Any help is appreciated!
Jeff

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1962 Hard Top Questions

The front weatherstrip is inserted in the header which has an undercut on the front and rear edges. It is then held in place by small "U" shaped clips which are in turn held in place with what I call a threaded rivit which is simply driven into the holes in the header bar.
To remove the clips I take a small screwdriver, insert it under the clip from one end and then tap the screwdriver until the rivit pops out. Before assembly clean up the header bar and with a pencil mark where the rivit holes are located. Insert the rubber weatherstrip into the header by working it in place with a putty knife or a screwdriver. Once installed take a sharp punch and locate the marked holes and insert the punch and create a hole in the rubber. Place the clip over the hole and work it under the edges of the channel in the weatherstrip while locating with the punch. Remove punch, insert rivit and drive in the rivit. Use a small tack hammer or a small bar with a hammer. Repeat until all clips and rivits are installed.
You can use some silicone or weatherstrip adhesive on the ends of the weatherstrip to hold them down.
Take your time as the repitition gets boreing.

[Jeff C.]

Re: 1962 Hard Top Questions

Bruce,
Thank you very much for the detailed answer!