hardtop seals

[Wayne G.]

Anyone tackle the hardtop front and rear seal in there garage?
Should I do it or leave it to a pro? I am in no rush to get it done in a day so time is not a issue nor is the space to do it and take the time to do it right and slow. (spray any bolts)

I need to replace it, the sides are dry and missing some sections. The overall shape of the car is great, so far not one rusty nut, bolt or screw.

Is this a easy job. I see some seals here and there, are there better ones, that will not have fit issues?

I really would like to tackle this.
Would I need a screw kit?
Is any part of the original glued anywhere?

I am very good with trim and weather strip installs/removal.
Any special tools needed?
I have seen seals with holes and ones without? Is that for the screws/t bolts?


If you come back with a NO verdict. Can someone tell me a pro near Philly or Northern NJ area that they have used to have this done...
I know there is a place in Pittsburg (8hrs away or so) but not sure I want to make that trip. That may be Glassworks without looking...

thank you

[Patrick S.]

Re: hardtop seals

I'm deeper in the same boat. My hardtop is in pieces in a box. I am tending toward a pro rebuild. I will be interested in other responses.

[John F.]

Re: hardtop seals

See thread on: 62 Header Chrome Removal. I outlined a step-by-step. Now I can't find the pics. Send me your email address and I will attach the pics. They should help. redbird1973@hotmail.com

[Bruce B.]

Re: hardtop seals

Wayne,
A friend of mine rebuilt his hardtop using a parts kit (seals, rear window, hardware) from Auto Entec or Glassworks.
It turned out great and he got lots of support from the supplier.
Give it a try, typically the kit costs around $1200 versus $4500 to have it rebuilt.
By the way, the front seal can be done in less then a\n few hours with no trim removal required. Just knock out the screw type rivits, clean up everything and install the seal, retainers and rivits which are reuseable if you are careful removing them.

[Bruce B.]

Re: hardtop seals

See thread on: 62 Header Chrome Removal. I outlined a step-by-step. Now I can't find the pics. Send me your email address and I will attach the pics. They should help. redbird1973@hotmail.com

John,
Very nice picture of your 62 on the back cover of the Summer 2011 edition of On Solid Ground, the SACC magazine.
Bruce B

[David A.]

Re: hardtop seals

need to do mine as well
it has sat in my garage for many years
iowa

[Wayne G.]

Re: hardtop seals

Wayne,
A friend of mine rebuilt his hardtop using a parts kit (seals, rear window, hardware) from Auto Entec or Glassworks.
It turned out great and he got lots of support from the supplier.
Give it a try, typically the kit costs around $1200 versus $4500 to have it rebuilt.
By the way, the front seal can be done in less then a\n few hours with no trim removal required. Just knock out the screw type rivits, clean up everything and install the seal, retainers and rivits which are reuseable if you are careful removing them.

Yes, I see this, I think the issue will be how bad things are once taking it all apart. I don't need side or rear glass it is flawless original. Just concerned about it going back together if I have rusted parts, which I am hoping not *54k* miles on the car and she has been always garaged and never seen water for over 20+ years. I read the Glassworks articles and see they come to Carlisle, maybe I will go this August and watch them work seems like they do them at the show. Yeah the 4500 is rather expensive. I don't need paint or a headliner... Just weather strip really only need the rear bottom on the sides as its missing a chunk. Krytox resotored the rest to almost new... but the sides were just to far gone. Will see what goes... after the show. The rear window seems to be the hard item getting it back in. And rivets and all... Sure not a hard job, but a job that after seeing 3-4 and working along side someone you would get the tips and tricks and feel needed to really do it right the first time. This may be one to let the pros do?

I may send them a Email and inquire about what they will be doing at the show and save some coins. Its more cosmetic than function as I really would not drive in the rain and well since its the side seal I really can see rain getting up in there.

thanks

[Stan G.]

Re: hardtop seals

Just finished mine just need to take it to my painter . I tend to drag things out started on it last summer . I would get to a problem and would stop until I could figure out how to solve the problem I was having . Some of the previous posts on here will scare you away from tackling this project but all in all not that tough if you are patient . One of the problems I had that you may run into is using your rear window again . When I tried puting it back into the weatherstrip the way glassworks recommends by inserting the glass into the top of the W/S and working arround and putting the bottom in last is the holes for the center hold down in the glass didn't line up with the holes in the bracket . Finaly did it my own way and put the bottom in first and put some temp. screws in it to hold it where I wanted it to stay and put the top of the glass in last . Even removing the front SS header bar was easy after watching the Glass Works video on YouTube . Great video . Be glad to help you in any way .

Stan

[John F.]

Re: hardtop seals

Thanks Bruce! That memorial is about 5 minutes away from my house. Right next to the airport.
John