Fwd: <VV> Convertible frame restoration
HallGrenn@aol.com
HallGrenn@aol.com
Mon, 13 Dec 2004 13:04:06 EST
In a message dated 12/13/2004 10:25:35 AM Eastern Standard Time,
corvair@mb.sympatico.ca writes:
> virtualvairs@corvair.org
Norm: I've done two (manual) convertible tops--a '65 and a '66. The
phillips head screws you describe sound like the adjustments that allow the head
section to be adjusted forward and rearward to match up properly with the top of
the windshield frame. You will have to adjust everything by the numbers when
you reassemble the frame. In effect, you have two sides--left and right--that
are adjusted for stack height, forward movement etc and then tied together
with the middle bows. As far as overhauling the frame I recommend that you take
plenty of close up photos of the frame before it is disassembled to aid you
during reassembly--especially the plastic bushings. I painted the worst pieces
(the headers) with naval jelly, allowed it to sit overnight, then used a wire
wheel on a drill to clean things up. Once that was done I coated the whole
thing--especially inside the header--with an acid rust sealing coating and then
painted it all with a good oil based primer followed by a top coat.
Originally my frames were black and beige (to match that car's paint). It is also
critical that you get the step by step instructions for adjusting the frame to the
car for correct alignment, stack height etc. A poorly adjusted frame will
put unnecessary strain on your new top and will make the car look bad. It is
especially important that the front header can be attached easily so that it can
seal properly to the top of the windshield frame to avoid leaks--both the
rubber weatherstrip that has to "nest" in the windshield frame indentation and
the corded part at the front of the top fabric that limits water infiltration.
If you can't find the instructions let me know by separate email and I'll make
copies for you.
Bob Hall
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From: <corvair@mb.sympatico.ca>
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Subject: <VV> Convertible frame restoration
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Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 8:52:52 -0600
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Timely query Norm. Just working on mine.
I had the header (only) blasted/powdercoated after removing all the tack strips (they were junk anyways).
The side pieces I had sandblasted in preparation for paint, figuring that the powdercoat curing oven wouldn't do the plastic bushings any good. I asked the shop to NOT blast around the hinges. There will inevitably be some sand in there that I will clean out as much as possible with thin picks and air.
I don't know what the big Phillips screws are for either.
The handle units come off with two bolts but don't come apart. The front section of the side rails comes off the header when the handles are removed.
Looking forwards to seeing responses!
Les
1965 Canadian Corsa Cvt 140/4 Red/White/Black
Message: 7
From: "Norman C. Witte" <ncwitte@wittelaw.com>
To: "Virtual Vairs \(E-mail\)" <virtualvairs@corvair.org>
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 08:31:00 -0500
Subject: <VV> Convertible frame restoration
Good morning. I have a question regarding my manual top frame for my '65
convertible. This weekend I started disassembling it. It shows a fair
amount of rust, and so I thought I would take it apart, have all the parts
powdercoated, and then put the whole thing back together all spanky clean
and shiny like. As I got into it I realized that my original plan was not
workable. A number of the joints have pins that are swedged over and
therefore can't be separated. Most of the joints that I disassembled have
plastic bushings that would not survive the powdercoating process.
I suppose that I could sandblast and paint the parts that I cannot
disassemble completely for powdercoating, but that presents a bit of a
problem, too. My concern is that abrasive will make its way into those
joints, and I will end up with a nice-looking piece of non-working junk.
So my first question is whether anyone has done this before, and if so, what
suggestions they may have about derusting and painting this beast.
The next question regards disassembly of the header part that runs at the
front of the top. There are two big phillips screws at the corners of this
thing that go into cage nuts. What are these for? Are the parts that bolt
into the handles and side rails supposed to come out? Mine is rusted enough
that I cannot tell if it is spotwelded or just rusted in place.
Thanks.
Norm Witte
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