It’s been a rough week.

I have had to press my Fiero into early spring service this week since my gf backed into the side of my DD, and it is in the shop for body repairs.

My Formula t-top has the typical old, leaky weather seals, and it has been raining every day this week! I am flooded out!

I spent weeks last summer trying to apply stick on weatherstrips to slow/stop the leaks, tried some new seals which I was able to get but that did not help much. I tried readjusting the side door glass, no help.

So here I am getting rained on commuting to work, in 35 degree temps, with water coming in all around.

It is such a shame too. The car has been repainted within a couple years, only 90K miles, new front bearings, plus new shocks/struts, tie rods, brakes all around as well as a few other misc. parts. It is a great Fiero, except it is only really good to drive in nice weather.

I have had a Fiero for 14 years, this “new” one to me for one. For the first time, I am tired of Fieros. This water leak is demoralizing! I should have looked for a sunroof/closed roof car instead!

Maybe its time to keep the car in your garage, and just take it out on nice days. That's my solution when my seals start to leak, which hopefully won't happen. Even if my seals were leaking, I would never trade a t-top car for a sunroof car. The only think I dont like about t-tops is how the headliner gets changed, you have to pull the seals off and that scares me.

Be happy that you have a t-top because in a couple months when the weather is beautiful, you're going to love the t-tops again.

By the way
Was that your car parked at the shop at parker and sheridan a few weeks ago?

[This message has been edited by 85_Fiero_2M4 (edited 04-06-2011).]

I'll take it...I'm a t-top die hard. Wish the fiero t tops weren't so fugly...I have a sun roof notchie that doesn't leak.

quote Originally posted by Hockaday: I'll take it...I'm a t-top die hard. Wish the fiero t tops weren't so fugly...I have a sun roof notchie that doesn't leak.

What are you talking about? How the are Fiero T-tops ugly? I think they look pretty cool, again except when they leak.

John - My GT has been a fair weather car because of it's leaky sunroof. Nothing I have done to the sunroof has helped. But maybe after I change the headliner this year and replace the sunroof tracks and seal it will be leak proof. Or maybe not. Park the Fiero until the sun is shining, call Enterprise.

Larry

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"Life is short. Drink the good wine first"

For what its worth, I only like my TTOP car when its sunny out and the tops are off. Other than that I hate it. It squeeks, rattles, flex's and yes leaks too. My next one will be a hard top.

Good luck, and if you figure out how to make them stop leaking, let us know.

Rob

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88 Coupe, CJB T-TOP, LS376 and a GT clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAH9yjw6XR0

I got to drive a brand new 88 GT T-Top. That was enough to convince me I did not want one. Even new they squeaked and rattled. Hopefully they did not leak when new. Also, the fact no pop in sunshades were available like on the Firebirds did not help either. It was a neat ideal but not as well done as on the Firebirds. The Fisher T-Tops fit much better and were less prone to rattles.

Oh, the car is garaged year round. It would be a real mess inside if I let it sit out in the weather all the time.

I appreciate the thoughts about using it as a fair weather car, which I typically do. I am just finding the inflexibility of it, having to save it for only that weather, to be an inconvenience. I used to drive my other Fiero daily because I enjoyed it, and do not like being so limited or having the compromises.

Selling it could very well be in it's future since I think I would be happier with a non t-top car. It will be tough to find one in this good of condition.

quote Originally posted by 85_Fiero_2M4: By the way Was that your car parked at the shop at parker and sheridan a few weeks ago?

Nope, that was not mine.

As a temporary fix, could try taping up the seams of the tops on the outside. May not look pretty but should hold till your daily is ready.

A little duct tape and it will be as good as new.

Doesn't JCwhitney have a unviersal weather strip available? Someone, somewhere has to have the correct style to replace the worn out piece.

quote Originally posted by Fformula88: Nope, that was not mine.

Then there are 3 red 88's in WNY, who would have thought

I have only had 1 t-top fiero (86 GT - aftermarket install) but I moved and had to thin the heard before I could mess with it much. I have test driven a few more and they definitely are not as stiff as a stock fiero. I had always though of either welding the t-top panel in place vs. rivets or adding some thicker steel to the underside that tied into the A and B pillars to stiffen the entire roof structure... or both.

Maybe Blackrams will let me cut up his 88 T-top formula to experiment!
(just checking to see if he reads this thread).

I daily my 88 T-top coupe. When it rains I just put a towel on the passenger seat

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1988 Firethorn Red Pearl Pontiac Fiero CJB T-Top Coupe, # 784 of 1252

quote Originally posted by Xanth: As a temporary fix, could try taping up the seams of the tops on the outside. May not look pretty but should hold till your daily is ready.

Been there, done that.

rob

quote Originally posted by mattwa: What are you talking about? How the are Fiero T-tops ugly? I think they look pretty cool, again except when they leak.

The people pontiac used to make their t tops used a poor design imho, aesthetically anyway. They did the trans am t tops as well...they're very squared and don't flow well...now they may flow better on the fiero ( i haven't seen them in person ) but I prefer normal T tops that are rounded, like on the camaro and the 300zx.

I will never own another T-Top Fiero or T-Top car for that matter.

Wear, age and how well they were installed to start are the main factors if you have a leak. I have had mine installed since 1987 and still they hold up.

I have noted over the years often the aftermarket installs are often done better and the trim was install a little better than the C&C plant installs. A C & C dealer installed mine and one guy did it in a day. He did a really good job.

As for stiffnes there is no question is has more cowl shake. You cut the roof off any car that was not designed to do so it will flex. Welding was never an option as non of the T Tops were assembly line cars. They could never weld them with the inteirors in them. The RIvets do a good job if installed properly. Weld would not be much better as the car twist more than anything. It really needs some support under the car for rigitity lost on the sides.

The Fiero came out pretty well and for the most is a good design. If you want leaks check out any T Top from the 70's . The Hurst Hatch cars all leack from the day they were installed and never would stop.

T Top cars are not maintenace free and the seals take care. Also as the cars age they do need adjusted too. If you tweek them a little often the leaks can be resolved unless the seals are damaged. Most often they need adjusted on the split between the top and the car. Adjustments will also remove wind noise that many of the leakers have too.

quote Originally posted by fieroguru: Maybe Blackrams will let me cut up his 88 T-top formula to experiment!

In about 40 to 50 years, you can do what you want with it, until then, keep yer cotton pick'n hands off my Formula.

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Ron

So what kind of care do you do on the T-Tops and the seals to ensure longevity and antileak?

http://www.mamotorworks.com...icone-1-346-873.html

There are similar products available too.

This all comes with the territory I drove an 88 with t tops and it dosent feel as confident as a sunroof or hard top does. But you have to take into account The Fiero was not designed from the get go to have t tops. This was an option that was more or less Rigged into there design. So remember when you buy a car with t tops (not just a fiero) you have to understand that t tops really aren't a natural design to a car. there an obscure cool option that comes with its downsides. my old firebirds T tops never leaked until i got broadsided by a Camaro than they leaked like a sive in there outer corners. Theres a reason why cars today do not have them anymore. not saying i dont miss them though.

Back in the 80's all the cars were designed at solid top cars and later had the T tops added and converitibles. You want to drive a horrid car drive a early Mustang Converitble as it will creak groan and feel like all the wheels are doing their own thing.

The Fiero was designed to have the sides in place to give it cross rigidity as well as side. You remove these it is like going from a 4 legged stool to a 3 legged stool. The Fiero is still strong enough to have met the crash standards back in the 80's but it did lose some rigidity.

Today the crash standards are much higher today and it has given us more solid cars than we ever had. Today cars like the Camaro convertible and Corvette were designed as a Convertible and then made into a coupe. They are very strong but they also add weight.

But even back in the 60 in cars like the GTO and SS Chevelle you had to leave the doors close or open before you lifted the car as it would bend enough often the doors could not be open or closed.

The Fiero was a leader in body structure in the 80's that lead to how they build cars today. But todays cars are like tanks.

But even with a little cowl shake I get I would be happy to have it for the open air driving I get. The T tops were the best thing I ever did.

Wow! Why so much hate for T-tops? I have never driven one and bought one without driving it (drivetrain not connected). Since my other car is a hardtop I'll be so disappointed that I guess I should sell it quickly!

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Red: TPI V8 + 6-Speed White: 3800SC auto
304rwHP/366rwTQ

quote Originally posted by Alex4mula: Wow! Why so much hate for T-tops? I have never driven one and bought one without driving it (drivetrain not connected). Since my other car is a hardtop I'll be so disappointed that I guess I should sell it quickly!

I will gladly save you from disappointment. I will even give you $5.00 and take it away without you having to lift a finger to help. Let me know where to pick up the car...

quote Originally posted by mptighe: I will gladly save you from disappointment. I will even give you $5.00 and take it away without you having to lift a finger to help. Let me know where to pick up the car...

If you read it I said "sell it" and not "give it"

quote Originally posted by Alex4mula: Wow! Why so much hate for T-tops? I have never driven one and bought one without driving it (drivetrain not connected). Since my other car is a hardtop I'll be so disappointed that I guess I should sell it quickly!

They will leak when your not expecting it. I've had a couple people with T-Top Fieros that have said here on this forum that they have no leaks or whistles tell me in person that yah theirs leak now and then. I put new seals in mine and adjusted everything. It wasn't bad but randomly it would leak one rain storm but not the next couple even if I didn't have the roofs out. If you drive the car alot it's a constant fight to keep the roof panels, side windows and seals in adjustment. And they do rattle now and then on certain bumps, I've noticed it more-so after lowering it, poly, low profile tires etc.

I do notice some chassis flex based on the fact that on a hard corner you can hear the roof panels move, but I have no issues with handling with mine. I had to goto a gel cel battery because I kept splashing battery fluid out of the battery, and it does corner faster than my Sunroofed 88 GT on stock suspension / tires.

My wife and I do absolutely love driving it with the tops out especially at night, but after 10 + years of constant random wet ass when your not expecting it it does get old and takes alot of the fun out of it. You could call it a love / hate thing.

quote Originally posted by jelly2m8: They will leak when your not expecting it. I've had a couple people with T-Top Fieros that have said here on this forum that they have no leaks or whistles tell me in person that yah theirs leak now and then. I put new seals in mine and adjusted everything. It wasn't bad but randomly it would leak one rain storm but not the next couple even if I didn't have the roofs out. If you drive the car alot it's a constant fight to keep the roof panels, side windows and seals in adjustment. And they do rattle now and then on certain bumps, I've noticed it more-so after lowering it, poly, low profile tires etc. I do notice some chassis flex based on the fact that on a hard corner you can hear the roof panels move, but I have no issues with handling with mine. I had to goto a gel cel battery because I kept splashing battery fluid out of the battery, and it does corner faster than my Sunroofed 88 GT on stock suspension / tires. My wife and I do absolutely love driving it with the tops out especially at night, but after 10 + years of constant random wet ass when your not expecting it it does get old and takes alot of the fun out of it. You could call it a love / hate thing.

LIke I said I have not driven mine so I don't know if it leaks and where in a rain storm. Right now (sitting stil) they do leak but only from two large gaps at the top corners of the glass gaskets because they shrunk. I already have replacements for those. Bottom line this will not be a daily driver but I do like to drive my cars (no trailer queens) far so I know I will see rain some day. Just hope I don't have to carry a rain coat