Rear rail water deflectors?

[other_shoe]

Got the 67 back from the convertible top shop and there are gaps on either side where the sail panels, body/boot trim, and carriage+weatherstrip converge. Essentially, there is a hole where I can stick my finger from the outside into the well area. It's a compound problem, but the issue in the title is #3.

Problem 1: Top was installed with the tack strip at the furthest rearward position. I doubt I can get it moved forward to partially close the gap without causing other fitment issues. I'd appreciate thoughts on this, if you think I'm being too conservative.

Problem 2: It is my understanding from the shop manual and looking at the piece that there is really no adjustment for the rear rail of the convertible top carriage. While the whole carriage can go slightly side to side, it appears the back piece cannot be significantly moved up/down or fore/aft once the power cylinder is at max extension. Again, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Problem 3: The shop manual shows/lists a part called the "rear rail water deflector," part number 53988-9, which appear like it would go a long way toward closing my gap. I've checked my usual suspects (NPD, Dallas Mustang, Mustangs Unlimited, and of course EBay) and can't find any leads. Any ideas on where to find one? And if any one has seen these, I'd really appreciate a description so I'll know how to describe it to used parts vendors and or find it at the junkyard.

Thanks much.

 

[TOM B]

The top is held into place by the two side and one rear tack strips and should be no gap or very little gap between the bottom edge and the car panels. water will go down the tack strips area but will flow down into the front of the quarter panel just below the side window and out a hole in the lower side. If you are talking about a gap at the lower side window to the lower sail panel then this is adjusted by the window track, if the top is not installed correct you will have to much of a gap and not enough adjustment in the window and taking this adjustment to far will produce a gap between the drivers window and the rear side window.
As for the water deflector, I think this piece is built into the side of the wheel wells if I understand you.
Tops are better fit today then they used to be, I sent 2 tops back when I did mine as they where 1/2 short on both sail panels, today the leave a little extra to be cut off or stitched.

 

[other_shoe]

TomB, thanks for the detail on the sail panels. It confirms much of what I suspected/feared about my problems.

The deflector is not the interior drip rail or gutter that you describe.

The drawing in the shop manual shows this water deflector as a small piece that fits between the bottom of the rear weatherstripping and the carriage rail itself. It's held on by the last post that mounts that weatherstrip to the top.

I have no idea if this is an adaptation for the '67-68, and I've never noticed it on the other convertibles and scrap tops I've looked at. I'll scan the figure and try to post it, but that will take some time and learning.

The sail panels fit snuggly with the body everywhere except right behind the quarter window. I've adjusted the windows as much as I can. Since the top has already been glued and stitched, I don't think I can get much of anything there. That's why I'm interested in the deflector, as it should fill most of that gap.