That sounds impossible. How could you stretch the top and fasten the seal
retainer since you have to have the top open to install the seal retainer?
I have Porter's Guide to Purchase and Restoration and used it as a general
guide. Yes, I glued the top to the header rail, start in the middle and only
put the adhesive on the middle third part, stretch it only enough to take out
the wrinkles and make it fairly taut and then do the sides of the rail, again
stretching out the wrinkles. I used Weldwood Original Contact Adhesive, worked
great, be sure you have the material where you want it, though. BTW, it's much
easier to measure and mark the front center of the top with chalk on the
garage floor before you start to install, use the windshield center rod as
your guide to center the top. After I had the front all glued down where I
wanted it, I waited for the adhesive to set and then I opened it and glued the
top under the front lip and put the seal retainer on. I put a real small bead
of black silicone caulking under the seal retainer. Mine had small sheet metal
screws instead of rivets and that seems to work fine, probably much easier
than rivets. I started with the car outside in the sun to get the top good and
warm, after I got the front all glued down I moved into the garage to open it
up and finish up the seal retainer and those little blocks with two screws in
them and the "tube" for the rear bow. I moved it back outside for a while and
then snapped all the "lift the dots" and retainers.
It actually took me longer to get the frame cleaned up and installed than it
did to put the top on. I hadn't bothered with any of that when I put the new
interior in a couple of years ago and hadn't noticed that the driver's side
didn't have the nuts on the body that the top mechanism fastens to. I made a
plate, drilled and tapped holes and put a small screw into it to hold it in
place. A MAJOR PITA! But, it works, and the new top looks great.
Jim K.
I am putting a new top on also. It is a Crown and has all the hardware on it
already. Any tips on how much to stretch it and fastening/gluing? They say
stretch and fasten seal retainer only. Did you glue yours?
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