okay so i have a 1987 v6 Camaro and the T tops are starting to leak. I took the car off the road so that i can make the repairs, but i want to know if i can do it with just silicone or am i going to have to buy all new weatherstripping. I just want my car to be dry on the inside the cheapest way i can do it.

i know of 1 spot where it leaks but im sure it leaks in others too, anyway of finding out where all the leaks could be?

Here are some pics , if anyone could help me out that would be cool !

 

you need new seals make sure there no rust i had a big problem with my 92 firebird there was a lot of rust my friend had to cut out metal and put new metal in

 

Okay cool , so are new seals expensive because i know weatherstripping is

 

the seals i got where called metro seals look them up ob google i think i paid like 200 bucks

 

Okay thanks!

 

Before replacing the seals, try adjusting the t tops.

 

mineral spirits works wonders sometimes on restoring rubber of all kinds, as with time the sun leaches out the chemicals that keep it soft and working per design. silicone spray lube is also good for rubber parts.

[why you avoid armorall, its water based and doesn't work right, black magic is silicone based]

 

You can put new seals in but it will most likely still leak.
I recomend GM seals. They are pricey but the nicest. You have the older design seals and if you get new GM they should be the updated 2nd design which a lil better.

 

thanks guys!

 

do you know the best position for them to be in?

 

If the seals are still good, they may just need to be tightened down.

 

wait, after thirty years they're just now starting to leak?

 

rockauto has them metro PN# TP7003 181.79$ or Sherman MMSTP7003 193.79$ and side rails by metro are PN# ELP7003 47.89$ or sherman MMSELP7003 49.79$

 

Gumby, did you mean mineral spirits (paint thinner) or maybe mineral oil (like baby oil)? Don't wan't to have anybody put the wrong thing on.

Bob T.

 

This worked great for me when tracking precise leak spots:

Take dish detergent (preferably clear colored from Dawn, Palmolive etc.) and using the nozzle tip, lightly coat the three sides of each t-top in the seams where they touch the roof.

Then, from the inside of the car, take an air compressor with a nozzle end (I used a portable tire filling air compressor) and slowly trace/blow air along the three sides of the t-top as previously mentioned. It can be done by yourself, but if you have a helper it is easier.

Anywhere you start to see soap bubbles start, it is a potential leak with some spots being more prevelant than others. Each time you find a spot, have the helper stop while you take a piece of colored electrical tape and mark a spot on the glass near the leak. When my car was done, I had about eight, with six being primarily on the passenger side. Now, you can attempt your repairs or, if necessary, replace your stripping. When you are done, obviously the soap will simply rinse off.

 

Majobis what an awesome Idea, You the man.