Ill start by saying i know the complete history of my car 1989 iroc convertible, when it was bought new the top leaked the first owner took it back to dealership several times to no avail . They traded it in for 90 . 2nd owner (my parents ) complained dealership they put on a new top , it leaked worse than before . the dealership had the orginal installers from california flyin they put on a new top and frame problem solved .in 95 car was repainted and new top still was fine . I just had a new top installed with all new rubbers /seals from a reputible shop . now i got bad air/ water leaks, been back to the shop 2 times now they are telling me theres nothing they can do about it (hence the nature of the beast) they are saying the new rubber are not as suppel as factory . I didnt go to the lowest priced shop and had new rubber to not have any problems any advice ? i am thinking about slotting the holes in the bars to lower top down about 1/4 to 1/2 inch heres picts of the gaps i got

 

1t pict

 

2nd pict

 

3rd pict

 

HMMM 75 looks and no responses !!! HELP!!!

 

the seal that look loose is from ricks camaros gm part shipped in gm bag ?

 

Well 97 looks and no response

 

I'll give you a response... SEARCH! But seriously, here's not much that hasn't been said about how and why our tops leak and to how to go about fixing them. There's a few adjustmets you can try but they are listed on this forum before. Good luck.

 

If the gap is in the front or back (hard to tell by the low quality pics) it might be that the top is stretched too tightly, as mine was when the previous owner did a poor installation. The adjustment is pretty easy and involves accessing Bow Number 1, removing the many small retaining screws holding the fabric in place and giving the fabric another say 1/2-inch of slack. Make sure to use rubber cement to hold the fabric. Take a look at the attached diagram. Also, convertibles aren't waterproof ... they do leak in heavy rain.

 

Are you leaking air/water around the windows? You might try adjusting the window stops to meet the seals instead of attempting an adjustment of a part that was no designed to be adjusted in that manner. The window adjustment will go up and down and will probably be a big help for you. Your pics suck btw... I can't really tell what I'm looking at so its hard for anyone to really help you too much. Better description and pics and I will help as much as possible

 

Can you determine where the leak is located? I wouls agree with BADNBLK and you should make sure there are no gaps between the window seals and the windows. If there are, fix them first by adjusting the windows. Then tackle any top adjustments. Leaks on our cars are pretty common, but can be reduced or eliminated by working the top and/or window adjustments. No magic; just trial and error until it is sealed properly.

 

The gaps i got are at where the top meets the body at the door post its located in your diagram where its says (ref)bow no 5 slat ,and the #2. It appears that the whole top needs top drop down approx 1/4 to 1/2. Ive adjusted the body panel up as far as i can without it being above the rear quarter body panels . (the body piece that covers the top when down). It is up 1/4 to 1/2 inch for about the first 3 inches
Sorry didnt realize picts were upside down. Ill try to get some better photos later today

 

2nd pict is from the outside on passinger side to the left is the quarter panel to the right is the door/window
1st pict is from the inside of car on drivers side looking out

 

my gaps are in the same spot as the post (leaky and drafty) by green92vert

 

did the shop put on new top pads too (they look like meshed nylon tow straps)? if they did, i've seen times before where they don't measure out the bow distances properly before attaching the pads. this keeps the bows from extending to their fully extended positions and causing issues with the top closing and sealing properly. if it is a pad issue though that's going to require pulling the whole top and reworking it.

 

You can take saran wrap and cover what you don't want to get polyurethane on it. You can go to a windshield place and geet the stuff they install windshields with to help build up in places where it is not touching and sealing. My 81 Z28 t-tops leaked back in 1985 and I got new rubber and the urethane and made them stick up about 1/4 of an inch and they never leaked again. The urethane is tough and when it dries it is there. It will have to wear off of your hands. You can wrap the rubber with saran wrap and make it stay where you want it untill it dries and then you are done but make sure it is where you want it because you will have to purchase new rubber if you get it wrong because the urethane will not peel off. It is permanant. We used to use it to seal washing machines that leaked back in the 80s and they would never leak again. Remember to get Urethane that they install windshields with. This stuff last forever. The 81 Z28 t-tops still don't leak and are perfect.

 

thanks for the input ill get some and give it a try