Getting the top to seal against the windshield header?

[Paul B.]

Hi,
I just bought a '67 roadster, and the top doesn't come close to sealing against the header in the center.
A fellow chapter member told me that he had read an article or post, on how to bend the front top bow with the roof on the car to get a tight seal against the windshield header?
I've done several searches, but no luck?

Many thanks,

Paul

[Paul B.]

Re: Getting the top to seal against the windshield header?

Anyone have any info?

Paul

[Gene M.]

Re: Getting the top to seal against the windshield header?

Paul,
I assume you want to drive your new toy in the rain...... Congratulations on the new mid year. You need to study the parts. Does the front bow have a "reverse" bow to it? It needs to be slight bow downward in the center since the fabric will pull against it sealing. Another thing is the adjustment of the header go forward enough to sit on top of the windshield at 12 o'clock and not 1 o'clock. If you need to move the entire top forward, it will entail resetting spacing with the side windows. You do this with the four main mounting bolts behind the seat bolsters. Similar to your '62 but a little simpler cause the lever arms are better designed. Without any more information my guess is the fabric is stretched too tight and pulling too much as ya latch it down. If the fabric has been on there for a time repositioning it is difficult at best since the fabric is trim cut to fit when mounted. Thus the fabric is too short to let it out a bit.

I should also mention the front bow position is independent adjustment on both side about 3/8" at the most fore and aft. This will only do you some good if you have enough fabric to adjust header. Hopefully you need to move rearward to mate with header. Which lessens fabric tension.

[Paul B.]

Re: Getting the top to seal against the windshield header?

Gene the man himself, how you doing bud? I didn't know you hung out here?
The car is a driver, the top is good but the bow has a slight upward curve in the center, probably from years of being clamped on the two ends.
Leon had read in the Driveline, or on here, that you can reform the he front bow on the car to get a better seal in the center, he said with a rubber mallet?
The bow appears to be quite rigid, so I don't know how a hammer would work? Also don't want to bust the windshield (original) or tear the vinyl?

All the best and see you and Sue Thursday,

Paul

[Edward J.]

Re: Getting the top to seal against the windshield header?

Paul, I am not a expert by any means but any time you start moving the top frame adjustments you will be changing the tension at the forward or aft position. and if the top is a older one this maybe a problem when clamping the top or for a loss of tension of the top. and of coarse the windows will have to be re-adjusted to fit the weatherstrips. my advise would be to buy a new header weather strip and try that first, as the old weatherstrip maybe flatten out over the years, and another thing I have seen is the header clamps wear out at there pivot points,causing front header sealing problems.

Any adjusting at this point of a old top will more or likely result in many hours of adjustment and may not have the results you are looking for.The old tops will also srink over the years pulling the top so tight you can have a hard time clamping the front or rear.

[Gene M.]

Re: Getting the top to seal against the windshield header?

Paul,
Bring some photos of what the bow looks like clamped down and also with it up so we can see the bottom side. Try to look at where the front bow adjustment is at. Those two screws at the ends have small slotted mounting points. See if there is any adjustment toward the rear of the car left. The lock down force on the clamps is some what adjustable. Some bad news is the only way I've had sucess bowing the header bar downward in the middle is in my hydraulic press. I think a mallet is wish full thinking....... We'll talk at Carlisle Site #F64

[Mike G.]

Re: Getting the top to seal against the windshield header?

Mr. Bougie,
I too had a similar situation with my 66. Front header bow was curved as you describe. I used a rubber mallet,GENTLY, from middle to the outer edges and it did bring the curve down and much improved the seal.

Mike