I recently purchased an 1984 Trans AM and the owner before me never really drove it and never messed with the T-Tops as they are water tight for the most part (I have some leaking if sprayed with a hose on high pressure on the top corner passenger side window) He told me I probably shouldn't take the T-Tops off unless I am ready to replace the weather stripping in case they dont seal back on good. As I have no garage I dont want to find out the hard way if they dont seal back on after taking them off. The weather is getting warmer now and I would like to start taking it for a spin with no tops soon. Should I get the weatherstripping replaced before messing with them or do you think I will be ok?

 

If their leaking with the hose already,take your spin,I don't think they'll get any worse than they are.

 

Nothing like riding with the t's off, thats my favorite part of owning this car. I leave mine out all spring/summer/fall (park in garage)....

I would take them out real slow, lift up real slow, so you are not ripping chunks of rubber w/ it, perhaps a plastic spatula to gently separate if sticking.

Even if, they still sell weather stripping ... gotta get them out.
Ttops are fun.

 

If you spray up and under the t-top from the side, of course they'll leak, mine do too. Rain does not have the capability of entering from there, so I wouldn't worry about it.

My t-tops also hadn't been taken out by the PO, but I did a few days after I got the car. They didn't leak before I took them off, and they don't now.

 

All T-tops I have seen are a little leaky with stock weather stripping. If its not too bad of a leak I would do a little bead of silicone where the problem might be. Just don't let the leak get too bad! If it's raining outside, it rains inside my Camaro too

 

Mine leak too. When I bought my car there was even water splashing around inside one of the rear seats. When it's cold out I did a hillbilly fix and lined the edges with electrical tape. It worked and wasn't noticable unless you were looking for it. Otherwise last summer if I was at work or something I just put towels on the inside where the water leaks in if it rained. This summer has new weather stripping on the to do list

 

good luck, most places charge so much for the stripping, last I checked online was $600, only place cheaper is like an old wrecker.

 

You cannot have a T-top car and not take them off. I leave my tops off all Spring, summer and fall as well. Like was said just take them off slow till you see what the seals are going to do.