67 Hardtop-Winter Project-Part 2-Disassembly Rear

[Gerard F.]

This is a continuation of the project started in this thread:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=81850&highlight=hardtop&uid=4149

Once you get all the front weatherstrip and trim off it is time to address the rear trim and rear lower weatherstripping.

The lower weatherstripping comes off pretty easy with 10 screws which look like this:



You'll be dealing with a black mastic which looks like this under the front trim, over and in back of the side window, and to the rear trim:



Not sure if that black mess around the screw was a repair, but it covered up a longer chrome screw on each side which holds the outside corner trim in place.

The upper trim is a little tougher to get off, as it prys off from the center, right side first. The service manual tells you the mark the position of the right side trim end:



It's a little tedious snapping off the upper trim, especially when you are afraid of damaging something. But I found the right tool, a mini pry bar and a wood wedge to protect the window:



Start from the center, and pry it at each clip.

(continued next post)

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 Hardtop-Winter Project-Part 2-Disassembly Rear

Once the trim is removed, and you remove those two funny looking screws and nuts on the top and bottom center of the window, and bend or remove the braces there, the only thing holding the rear window in is the weatherstripping around the rear window.

The rear window just prys out:



Carefully.

They have this white soft putty to set the window weatherstripping in. It is sticky and seems like a plumbers putty, and messy:



And when you remove the window you see this black mastic around the outside edge of the window:



But it cleans off pretty well with gentle scraping and acrylic cleaner, after a lot of elbow grease:



This original rear window is in pretty good shape, a few scratches, but I think I'll reuse it.

(continued next post)

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 Hardtop-Winter Project-Part 2-Disassembly Rear

Now for the dog work in cleaning up the top body, especially this white stuff:



The clips which hold the upper trim come out pretty easy from the inside:



Then it was a tedious removal of the white putty:



After about an hour, scraping, rubbing, a roll of shop towels:



I tried all kinds of cleaners, but the best I found for this job, is in the picture. Really softens the putty up and releases it.

Well, so much for now, the World Series is just starting. Next step is to prep the top for painting, I haven't gotten to the black mastic on the underside,yet.
Notice the overspray on the rear bow. Means to me that it was painted with the top at AO Smith

Having fun,