I thought someone was doing a tech article on replacing convertible tops. Is it still in the works, or is it not gonna happen at all?

 

It wasn't me.

Lon

 

Link's not working

 

As I wrote before I didn't write a Tech Article on repairing the tops, nor did I post I was going to write one (to be honest I still have my original top some 13 years later). I have had the rear window replaced once, but the top itself is still the original. I DID write a Tech Article on replacing the "Flip Rods". These rods were used on 1989-92 convertible tops. ASC installed the part, but it doesn't show up in the Camaro Parts & Illustration Manual. I make the aftermarket replacement for the rods. Here is the article:
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/fliprods.pdf

Lon

 

Hey Lon, about the flip rods:

I recently purchased a 89 'vert, read your article, and checked to see if mine had them. As far as I can tell, it only has one, on the driver's side, and does not even have the hole on the passenger side rail where one would go, if it's like the drivers side. Am I missing something, or did they possibly make some early 89s with only one, or what?

 

Ok, heres the deal. I bought a copy of a CCT-Chevrolet Certified Technician 1991 Convertible Top Service booklet. Appears to be what the service techs would keep after attending a seminar on how to work on the ragtops.

Bought off eBay from Hydro-E-Lectric. (800) 343-4261 www.hydroe.com.

36 page booklet with pics to go with every step. How to install, remove, adjust tops and so on. Nothing will be better or more official than this. I believe I paid $15.00.

 

To my knowledge there should have been two. Otherwise you are forced to lift the #2 bow up yourself and in your case on the passenger side to boot. It sounds as if a previous owner broke the Flip Rod and removed it. It is very common (as I describe in the tech article) to break the Flip Rod by failing to lower the window a little first, before trying to fold down the top. I have these packaged and sell them as a pair.

Lon

 

I see a "TOP FIX-IT MANUAL for $19.95" listed. That must be what you bought. I've perused the site and see nothing listed for our F-Body convertibles.

Lon

 

Hello again,

My 1989, built in October 1988, has only a flip rod on the left side.
So my car is an early 1989 model. My Chevrolet Parts & Illustration Catalog dated May 1992 only shows it to be on the driver's side. There is no way that the number 2 bow on my car ever had that flip rod also on the passenger side. The original female owner I bought this car from very rarely put the top down.
The ragtop assembly on my car is mint original. Thats all I know for sure.

These parts like all the cars have constant running changes made thruout the model year. There are 3 different frames for 1987 thru 1992 Camaros. And probably variations on within each of those distinctions.

 

Lon,

I did not buy off of the website. But I know they have it. It is only a question of what they call it. It is titled "1991 Convertible Top Service". Call the 800 number and ask. There is a GM part number on the booklet: 1030918-02.

 

News to me. What is the section number that the part appears in? I could not find it listed at all in my 1982-91 Camaro P&I Catalog.

Lon

 

Lon,

The part number I gave you is off of the cover of the booklet. This is from a continuing education seminar for the service tech guys. I don't see why it would ever appear in the parts catalog. It is not for public consumption. This was to teach the service techs how to work on the ragtops. It has the 5 bow system for Camaros and Corvettes. Also shows Cavaliars and Geos which had a different type of top apparantly.


Ok, tell you what, if after calling the 800 number during business hours and asking them about this item. You can't get it from them. I will copy the one I have if I am paid for my time. Its 36 pages plus the cover.

 

I was referring to the page that shows part we are referrin to as the "Flip Rod". As I wrote in the Tech Article I could not even FIND it listed in the 1982-91 Camaro Parts & Illustration Catalog. That is why I had to coin the name "Flip Rods" for the part. I just tried to logically name it for the function it performed.

Lon

 

Lon,

In my May 1992 Chevrolet Parts & Illustration Catalog it is pictured on page 14-2. Listed as number 35 on page 14-3. Called actuator & hardware package, #2 bow(1988-89) .......12397888. With that ending number obviously being the part number.

 

Nope, it doesn't show in mine. Could you scan it and e-mail it to me?

Thanks,

Lon

 

Lon,

No scanner hooked to my computer. I will scan it at my parents house and email it to you. May be able to scan it tomorrow.
Feel free to remind me Monday if I haven't done it yet.

 

:hail:

Thanks. There have been more than a few times I've wished my catalog covered the '92 Model Year as well. Oh well, got it for fairly cheap on ebay. It has more than paid for itself.

Lon

 

Thanks for the info, I was beginning to wonder if I was just missing something...

Mine was built Jan 89

And Lon, my top seems to work fine with just the one,the #2 bow lifts just like you described, without walking around.............

 

That's in mine also, listed for 1987-1989 Folding Top Assembly.

On illustration 14-5, I also have the 1990-1991 assembly, #43 is the actuator pair Lon has, it is listed as item 43 in the illustration,



14.475 Actuator, #2 bow, (RH) 1250740
14.475 Actuator, #2 bow, (LH) 1250741


Lon, I can scan that and send it to you, might be a couple days tho........

 

I've never looked into my fliprods, but as far as top replacement, Ijust bought a new stayfast top with the sewn in rear window for $350......

Its possible to get a vert top with stayfast and a zippered in rear window, which has its perks. But it costs @ $600.

I think haynes (or is it chilton?) has a section about top adjustment and replacement. They don't make it sound too easy. I was just going to have mine done at an auto interior shop.

Is it going to be a huge PITA to do this myself?

 

You stated earlier that you had the rear window replaced? Was yours sewn in? I thought that this was not possible if it was the sewn in type, and I thought that all the asc converts came with sewn in rear windows.

That's really cool if you did. My rear window is scratched and so beat up that I can't see thru it. I just decided to replace the entire top just because its 11 years old and pretty faded.

Also...for all convert owners; If any of you have installed SFC's, was there a pretty drastic reduction in the convert top rattle? I have called Alston racing and spoke with Mike over there (who is supposedly the guy who knows about SFC's for converts). If anyone is interested, they cost $189 but I forgot where I wrote down the part #.

Perhaps if we attract enough vert owners thru this post, we can maybe try for a group purchase on the SFC's.

Let me know who is interested.

 

I can answer all these. First, yes the OEM window is sewn in. So is the new one I had done. The shop I use orders the plastic rear window and glues and sews it into the top. It cost roughly $100 or so as I recall. I had my window replaced the first (and only time) when the car was just about 4 years old. The window had become badly clouded from UV exposure. My current window is still clear some 8+ years later, because I got smarter. I bought and religiously use a product called the Interior Cover, made by California Car Cover Co. If I'm parking the car for more than a few minutes I put it on. The cover is made of the same material as car covers. It has straps that mount between the gap of the tonneau and trunk. Slip them in and close the trunk or tonneau. Then it pulls forward covering the entire interior (side windows are down) and goes over the windshield and attaches with straps to the side view mirror. It keeps prying eyes and the sun from getting to my interior. The Alstons do help tighten the body flex some, but won't do much for that annoying top rattle. I believe it is caused from worn bushings. It is on my list to create a kit to replace all the bushings. It is funny someone recently posted that the weld-in Alston SFC's were only $89. I questioned that, since I paid about $179 delivered about 4 years ago. The only way they could be that low now is if Alston is blowing out their inventory and discontinuing them. They are a worthwhile investment. I recommend them to everyone, especially those with a t-top or a 'vert.

Lon

 

Here's a place that sells the replacement top with a glass rear window.

http://www.shadetreeonline.com/?


Search for Camaro

 

That interior cover is a great idea....I wonder though if it would be possible to tint that rear plastic. I don't see why not. I've not installed my new top yet, but I have a 3M product that is like liquid wax. You just wipe it on and it gives the window a UV protective coating. Reapply prob after washing.

You know though what I dont like about washing my car is trying to get all the soap residue off the cloth. I try to not get any soap on the top at all, but sometimes (w/ birdcrap) you gotta.

3M also makes a convertable care product for the cloth itself, although I do not have it. I probably will though, because I can't afford another one.

Have you ever heard of the zippered in rear windows for our cars? I can't remember the name of the site I found it at but have a link to it on my home computer.

Alston do sell SFC's for $89, but not the ones we need on our cars.

 

Yeah...I never understood how glass rear windows would work when the top folded down, unless you have to remove them first.

Ever known anyone with a 3rd gen to have one?\

that place is pricy.....the stayfast with vinyl for $508. Wow

 

I knew I saved this link for a reason. This person had a top with a glass rear window installed. It no longer folds the part where the rear window is. Instead is just sort of rests in there while the remainder of the top folds down onto it.

http://www.geocities.com/rsconvertable/carpics

Lon

 

Lon, check your Yahoo.

 

Let the shop replace it. Cost me $495.00 for the new top, the install and they even welded back together some of my broken pieces... It may of been the flip rod if a flip rod is only about 4 inchs long, but I have an 88 not an 89.

James

 

No e-mail or P.M.'s have arrived. my TDS e-mail account is: topdownsolutions@yahoo.com

If is is large, please send it to my alternate e-mail account: lonsal@adelphia.net

It doesn't take much to fill my Yahoo mail account, despite me being dilligent in cleaning up old e-mails.

Lon

 

Sant them to adelphia.........

 

I know for a fact that my car had 2 "flip rods". I did, however, break the rod that was on the passenger side. Since that time, I haven't had any trouble lowering or raising the top.

Does anyone know if missing one can cause abnormal wear on any part of the canvas?

Now, on the drivers side, the canvas is starting to wear through.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

The same here, I never understood the fliprod thing. I guess that's because I didn't have that style to start with.
P.S. Lon loved your wonderbar. Installed mine last week. A really nice well made part.

 

Moving