This 88 t-top I have been working on is becoming quite a job. I was removing the p-seals yesterday and found a rusted out hole on the left rear t-top channel. I don`t quite understand when someone runs layer upon layer of silicone caulk on something trying to seal it. What a mess. I`m going to remove all of the rust and silicone caulk down to the metal and get everything repaired and hopefully leak free. Then I can re-paint it. I found the seals are not in such good condition as I originally thought. I nay have to go the route of Mustang or Camaro t-top seals.
It looks like the rear clip is coming off. That`s the only way that I`m going to get to the rust that is under it. I did discover how the t-top channels drain. There are channels on either side that run towards the back and it looks like the water runs on the outside of the metal framing between the quarter windows and the frame. The unfortunate thing is that my weatherstrip is toast but I may try a couple different ones from Mustangs or Firebirds. If I can find something that is close to the part where the window, t-top glass and rear pillar meet, I`m not worried about having to cut them if they are too long. I think the best place to splice them together would be where they run on the channel that the t-top glass sits on.
Started pulling the rear clip off of the 88 today. I have only pulled a notchie clip off so I`m trying to find all of the bolts that attach the clip on the GT. Got a little more into the t-top today. Lots of rust on the drivers side but I think I can cut out the rot and put some new metal. It amazes me the amount of silicone that was used to seal everything. And because of the way it was put on I think someone else has done some of this. I don`t think originally it had that much because I am getting into some Black sort of sealant that I would guess was the original. I will have to either try to find the two trim pieces that go right between the t-top and the rear clip because in the back they had little clips that went into holes to hold it in place but there was so much silicone those blades that the clips mounted on broke off.
Ok, anyone got any ideas? I got the rear clip on my car loose but the center nut on the roof is just turning. I can`t seem to get any vise grips up there to hold the stud because then there is no room for the wrench.
Ok, anyone got any ideas? I got the rear clip on my car loose but the center nut on the roof is just turning. I can`t seem to get any vise grips up there to hold the stud because then there is no room for the wrench.
it just a stud that's incased in fiberglass. I have had to break the studs out of the glass before and glass them back in once the clip was off. I took a pry bar between the shell and roof and just cracked it out. not a lot of other options when it comes to that. The great thing, It never breaks the outer skin. Just the inner, so when you reglass it doesn't have to be pretty
New pieces. Just need some seam sealer to install them. I promise you guys that I won`t keep posting every little thing I do. I will post pics when finishing something of sort of a milestone.
I'm glad to see you back in the game. I would have taken off a decade or two... actually I already have.
I understand fully, I was actually going to get a C-5 in about a year but I was going to keep my Fiero. I`m still planning on getting the C-5 and was not really considering doing another car, but since the t-top came up I thought, well it will give me something to do with cleaning the body up and re-painting the chassis with hardly no financial input. That will keep me busy for a while.
I'm glad to see you back in the game. I would have taken off a decade or two... actually I already have.
It`s funny you say that because my enthusiasm was short lived in building another car. I am returning the car to whom I got it from and I am selling off a bunch of parts. I look at pictures of my old car and keep realizing the work I put into it and I don`t really want to do it again. At least not right now. I will still make the products I make and I`m getting ready to start cutting out some of the ABS sill plates I have been working on.
Yep, number 52 in the registry. That`s the reason I was going to build it but even that can`t spark my interest anymore. To my surprise I am still lamenting about my loss on my 86 GT 3800SC and I just can`t get any motivation.