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Tonight - start with top

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JPSmit

JPSmit

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So, first, I have to confess that the top has intimidated the heck out of me, so, I've been dragging it around for at least 3/4 of a year, maybe 1 3/4 of a year, worrying about it. Tonight was the night. First off was cleaning the tool box some - When the movers packed they dumped every little thing they could into it, which, is actually better as stuff doesn't shift, but, I still had to sort.

For those of you who don't remember, I got a really good deal on a canvas top, except, when I tried it last time, and the time before that and even the time before that, the tenex snaps didn't line up, (durn MOWOGS) and, I didn't want to move the male parts of the snaps as I have a tonneau and a parade boot that fit perfectly. Anyway, tonight was the night to start. First off I had to find the centre snap and put it in place - I could then move the tenex snaps (they needed to move outward.) turned out to be not too big a job, actually it was just cutting the holes longer, and, with one exception the snaps cover the whole hole and the last little bit you can't really see.

I am wondering though whether I might have a short cockpit top as it doesn't seem like there is as much overlap at the front as I thought there would be. But, there does seem to be enough. I did decide to call it a night though as I need to get snaps with longer shanks to allow for the strip across the back.

Anyway, here is what I learned.

1. Once again the job wasn't as big as I had made it in my mind - when am I going to learn that lesson :wall:

2. So far, Moss snaps are stronger than Michaels snaps

3. Don't buy the Moss snap installer as the Michaels one is identical at about 1/3 the price.

4. When you install snaps it helps if you have 2 or three extra fingers as you have to hold down the insert while hitting the press with a hammer.

anyway, all's well that ends well - so far. will try to find longer snaps tomorrow and hope to have pics before too long.

Oh, and, had to repair the tonneau tonight - looks and fits great. But, had lost a tenex snap over the summer. replaced it and checked the others. Every single tenex was loose at least half a turn. since the snap cost me ten dollars it's probably worth checking from time to time. And, spreading the ends of a divot repair tool I got once upon a time made a great tenex tool.

:cheers:
 
Oh I understand this well.

I put a canvas top on my Midget (my present race car), many years ago and it was pretty intimididating. In the end it worked out well, but I think it took me a week of evenings (cheapskate me.....I made my own tool).

About 6 months ago, I put a new top on my MGB and that was much easier.
This time, I went with a low-cost vinyl top (made in Rhode Island, USA!). I waited until a warm day and then left it "up" for a few weeks so it could stretch nicely into place. At the same time, I converted the MGB to an early-style pack-a-way frame (the frame must be removed and stored in the boot).
The folding Midget frame isn't bad, but the MGB "scizzors" frame is a poor design (in my opinion).

I still have the canvas Midget top and it's in good shape. It's promised to my brother for his RWA Midget.
 
convertible top from Rhode Island ? was that convertible top guys.com ? I think that's where my low cost vinal top came from as well !
 
That zip out window was real nice for me the early part of fall (in my Midget). Too much trouble to put the top down for just a little bit, unzip the window and get the wind then zip it back up.

Most of the time during the summer I just went with the top down, in fact I had about 40 days straight here last summer when I never put the top back up. Now that was nice considering where I live!!
 
Update: Spent a couple of hours on the car this afternoon. Friday I went to a nearby car upholstery place and the guy sold me longer shanked snaps. This afternoon I got the snaps on the back, the trim strip in place. Glued the front of the top in place (thank goodness for a strapping big son) and left it with the top all glued up - trim tucked under. was going to start with riveting the new aluminum strip for the rubber gasket in place but decided it was too much without the glue being absolutely set - even if it was contact cement.

Took the protective paper off the rear windows and sat inside - I was stunned to find I actually have headroom!

anyway, it doesn't fit perfectly, but, for what I plan to use it and for what I paid, it is more than adequate. I'll post pics as soon as I can

:cheers:
 
So, got an hour this afternoon. The last job was the rubber seal between windshield and top. Had bought a new aluminum retainer strip as I essentially wrecked mine pulling it off. First I had to bend the lip at every rivet to get the thing riveted and then my HF riveter got stuck - had been malfunctioning all day - actually since I bought it. Took it apart to get the stuck wire out and lost one of the jaws. Arrrghhh Anyway, dug out my dad's old one and got the last two rivets in. Putting the rubber strip in was possibly the easiest rubber item I have had to install anywhere on the car. Top latched right up and we were good to go. Went over to Mark's (Abarth69) for show and tell and she worked fine. Getting in is no problem, getting out, well, lets just say we're working on technique. The top thrums a little as I drive but seems tight. The good news is I do have headroom, but, my heavens it gets tight in there in a hurry, especially with the side "hang downs" that the window holds in place.

All in all a good afternoon and one more job off the list. Oh and the canvas looks fabulous!
 

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Looking very good, JP! You should be very proud of what you've accomplished with that car.
 
Looks really sweet. Here's a little trick for next time. To avoid bending that aluminum strip while installing rivets, just slip 1 or 2 #6 nuts over the rivet pull before inserting into the tool. They fit between the sides and hold the tip of the tool above them.
 
Bayless said:
Looks really sweet. Here's a little trick for next time. To avoid bending that aluminum strip while installing rivets, just slip 1 or 2 #6 nuts over the rivet pull before inserting into the tool. They fit between the sides and hold the tip of the tool above them.
Click to expand...

and ordinarily I would have but my $#%^& riveter wouldn't grab the pull unless it was anything but the full length and then just barely. Did I mention that these were the rivets that came with the riveter?

great tip though - thanks
 
Wow that top looks fantastic! I may go canvas when I get a new one.
Kudos on a job well done , Sir! :thumbsup:
 
Nice nice nice! My vinyl top was a drummer at highway speeds...I got some foam pipe insulation from the hardware store and would slip it over the middle bow as I put the top up. That put just enough extra tension on the top to kill the drumming.

I'm 6 feet tall...getting in the car with the top up and the original full sized steering wheel is borderline limbo dancing. I go in head first, hands on the tunnel, then bring my legs in and under the wheel while rotating my body to the left. Getting out is about the reverse of that but I put my left foot out on the ground, turn to my right, hands on the tunnel and hoist myself up while backing out. It's NOT graceful...but it works :sick:
 
Looks really great JP...
Now I'm back to thinking about getting the canvas top for my MK2.
That canvas looks really nice! So does Ms Triss!!
 
CraigZ said:
Nice nice nice! My vinyl top was a drummer at highway speeds...I got some foam pipe insulation from the hardware store and would slip it over the middle bow as I put the top up. That put just enough extra tension on the top to kill the drumming.

I'm 6 feet tall...getting in the car with the top up and the original full sized steering wheel is borderline limbo dancing. I go in head first, hands on the tunnel, then bring my legs in and under the wheel while rotating my body to the left. Getting out is about the reverse of that but I put my left foot out on the ground, turn to my right, hands on the tunnel and hoist myself up while backing out. It's NOT graceful...but it works :sick:
Click to expand...

great idea! about the insulation! thanks. I can still get in smoothly, but, getting out, no graceful way yet
 
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