1960 Soft Top Rear Bow Weatherstrip Install HELP

[Dick G.]

Happy Easter
On this Beautiful Easter I am continuing the task of installing a new soft top on my 1960.
I've got the Knoch video. It is some help.
How does the Rear Bow Rubber W/strip install/retain and when does one install it?
Does anyone have a picture/s of this process?

Again pictures of the rear bow assy much appreciated. First attemt at this.
Thanks

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 Soft Top Rear Bow Weatherstrip Install HELP

Dick,

Is this a 2 top car? Did you adjust the top frame to the sideglass before starting the top installation? This step is critical.

I put the w/strip on after the 2 rear straps and top is stapled on to the rear bow. I do this so the rear bow is sitting in it's normal state when the top material is on. I don't glue the w/s up yet at this point. I install the rear swing latches and the 2 screws for the hold-up straps to help hold it in position.

I then do the rest of the installation. After completion, I remove the swing latches and hold-up straps screws, then after a good cleaning of the rubber to remove the mold release wax, I use black weatherstrip cement to glue it to the rear bow using a small brush on both surfaces. I then install the swing latches, hold-up straps, and then trim the ends. I use a half-dozen or so staples at the ends where it curves on the ends. This area is prone to loosen up due to the strain of the rubber at the corners.

PA130057.jpg PA130058.jpg PA130059.jpg PA130061.jpg
Note in the 1st pic was before I stapled the w/strip ends.

I recently installed a '60 top and used the above method. This one had a reproduction rear bow/........... which have issues. They are thicker than stock bows, and required me to cut the overhanging lip of the w/strip where it normally fits over the bow and under the material.

Rich

[Dick G.]

Re: 1960 Soft Top Rear Bow Weatherstrip Install HELP

Thanks for the reply and pictures.
You answered my question nicely. I needed to know before proceeding.
I too have a reproduction rear bow.
I believe you were in an earlier post regarding upper window frames, straightening. I had to do this also. This is a 2 top car but I will not be restoring the hardtop. Why?
Thanks

[Don H.]

Re: 1960 Soft Top Rear Bow Weatherstrip Install HELP

Dick, Of course it is all personal opinion but I think the best look is with the hardtop on. My $.02, Don H.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 Soft Top Rear Bow Weatherstrip Install HELP

Dick, Of course it is all personal opinion but I think the best look is with the hardtop on. My $.02, Don H.

Don, I have a 2 top '59, and I like the HT look too but a pain to change to no top on the fly. I had mine on 3 times in 28 years....When I bought it, and when I moved twice. Every fall here in FL I'm tempted to use the HT over the winters, but never actually do that, maybe next year.

Thanks for the reply and pictures.
You answered my question nicely. I needed to know before proceeding.
I too have a reproduction rear bow.
I believe you were in an earlier post regarding upper window frames, straightening. I had to do this also. This is a 2 top car but I will not be restoring the hardtop. Why?
Thanks

Dick, there are some things to know regarding the reproduction rear bows.

1- The rear swing latches may need to be modified to drop down further if you are using repro rear latches. If so you have to oval the holes and grind the swing latches and keepers. The 59-60 rubber is stiff and is hard to compress.

2- Repro bows do not have depressions for all 6 T-nuts so you will see the faces of the T-nuts after the rag is installed. There's a way to reduce that eyesore by adding a thin stiff vinyl covering over the backside full width between the rag and the bow. I didn't think of this until after I installed my last top.

3- Rear straps will bulge at the wrap point between the rag and the bow, again becasue there is no depression in the bow. Originals had depressions. I remove 1 layer of material on the strap where it rests on the rear face of the bow and wraps under and upward to the staple area. It helps a little.

4- The holes for the filler w/strip are not drilled in the bow. before you staple the rag on, set the bow, install the fillers in the corners to the vertical side frames, mark the 2 holes each side of the rear bows, remove the bow and drill and tap the bow for 8-32 machine screws, apx 3/8" long. You don't want to drill the holes after the rag is stapled on it.

5- As mentioned above, the repro bow is thicker and the w/strip won't fit without modification.

6- Because the bow is thicker at the ends, the mount bolts/acorn nuts are barely long enough to get tight. Use locktite thread locker on them.

Rich

[Dick G.]

Re: 1960 Soft Top Rear Bow Weatherstrip Install HELP

Rich
Again, thanks for the Help.
Good information.
Dick