Progress on #782

[cscobra]

Jim Holden's advice is sound--make sure you have the side curtains mounted and that you adjust the windshield angle to them. And, take your time fitting the top (I spent several days on it, but it was time well spent). Practice on the tonneau cover by fitting it first before moving on to the top. Moss Motors sells a terrific tool which easily punches out the five holes (one large center hole, four angled slots) needed to fit the Lift-the-Dot fasteners used with the tonneau cover and the top.

The time it takes will be worthwhile--the top seals better than I expected (even better than either of my MGs and many other British cars I've driven or ridden in that use this design). Most importantly, though, it turned out not to be the "noisy rattletrap" that Peter predicted it would be.

By the way, I like your grille splitter and I'm glad you have one, too. You and I may well be the only ones left who are using it. i think it makes the entire front end appearance complete.

I found that the top and the side curtain bags fit well on the upper trunk shelf. I put the bag for the tonneau cover on the left side of the trunk (the fuel filler pipe intrudes on the right) with a "Continental Kit" (tire inflator and sealant, if needed--I bought mine online at Tire Rack) in its plastic case underneath the cover bag. The top bows I have laying out of the way on the trunk floor--I had them powdercoated black after fitting the top, but I need a bag for them, too (similar to what early MGBs used with their "Erector Set" tops).

Just some ideas--hope some will prove useful.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by cscobra

Jim Holden's advice is sound--make sure you have the side curtains mounted and that you adjust the windshield angle to them. And, take your time fitting the top (I spent several days on it, but it was time well spent). Practice on the tonneau cover by fitting it first before moving on to the top. Moss Motors sells a terrific tool which easily punches out the five holes (one large center hole, four angled slots) needed to fit the Lift-the-Dot fasteners used with the tonneau cover and the top.

The time it takes will be worthwhile--the top seals better than I expected (even better than either of my MGs and many other British cars I've driven or ridden in that use this design). Most importantly, though, it turned out not to be the "noisy rattletrap" that Peter predicted it would be.

By the way, I like your grille splitter and I'm glad you have one, too. You and I may well be the only ones left who are using it. i think it makes the entire front end appearance complete.

I found that the top and the side curtain bags fit well on the upper trunk shelf. I put the bag for the tonneau cover on the left side of the trunk (the fuel filler pipe intrudes on the right) with a "Continental Kit" (tire inflator and sealant, if needed--I bought mine online at Tire Rack) in its plastic case underneath the cover bag. The top bows I have laying out of the way on the trunk floor--I had them powdercoated black after fitting the top, but I need a bag for them, too (similar to what early MGBs used with their "Erector Set" tops).

Just some ideas--hope some will prove useful.

Thanks for the tips (also from Jim). The top fitting may be a winter project. I don't have a tonneau at this time but I'm beginning to think about one.

Dan

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by DanEC

The top fitting may be a winter project. I don't have a tonneau at this time but I'm beginning to think about one.

Dan

Hi Dan,

You'll probably see this warning in ERA's instructions but thought I'd point it out since you mentioned fitting the top in the winter:

"Do not try to fit a cold top! Always work at room temperature or above."

I can imagine spending a lot of time getting a nice tight fitting top and then when warm weather comes along, noticing it's kind of saggy looking...

Kevin

[DanEC]

Kevin,

I thought that remark was mostly about trying to erect and snap down a fitted top in cold weather but I could be wrong. I guess the same would apply to fitting a new top. I think I will get the bows powder coated so maybe that and the rest of the assembly will keep me occupied for the winter.

thanks

Dan

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I thought that remark was mostly about trying to erect and snap down a fitted top in cold weather but I could be wrong. I guess the same would apply to fitting a new top.

Four or five years ago, I decided to put my top on and go for a ride when the temperature was, maybe, in the low 50's -- I guess the car and the top could have still been in the high 40's from the overnight. Now, on a warm summer day, my top fits pretty well, as Jack at ERA fitted it for me (see this tweak thread: Soft Top - ISO the Perfect Fit, or Just a Decent One... ). I still remember that day -- it took me about 20 minutes to get all the lift-a-dots fastened in the cold, maybe more, and my thumb tips throbbed for days. A cold day, and a nicely fitted top, do not go together well. Yes, there is a technique with the lift-a-dots to get them to go over the little spikes easier, but your fingers soon go numb, regardless. Oh well, it is what it is.