T-Top Help.....

[Mikey1968]

Hello all,
I have a 1986 Merc Capri with t-tops. I've had it since 1988 and have tried everything to fix this problem......my problem is where I currently live is very very windy (85 mph gusts headwind while driving 75 mph!). This causes the windows to pull away from the weatherstripping and make tons of noise.

I've adjusted the tops, doors and windows, installed new w-stripping, new window bracket bushings, new gear teeth/bushings for the drive, new door latch posts, new hinge bushings, new dew wipes.....just about everything.

I've even got a couple of Ford t-top manuals to help with adjustments and ideas. Nothing is working.

I've seen on other vehicles, a clip made of nylon that seems to hold in the windows. Often, these clips are molded in with the w-stripping. Anyone ever fab something like this or retrofitted a clip from a different vehicle? If so, please give me details.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[87foxstang]

never done what you are talking about there, but have you tried adjusting the B-pillar out more towards the top?

 

[Mikey1968]

You mean the w-stripping? Not sure how you can do that.....I'll check the manuals. Problem would be in the matching of the w-stripping to the t-top, I would think.

 

[87foxstang]

ohh ok, i thought you were saying the window on the door was moving outward, letting in air.

Where the t-top weatherstrip runs down the back of the door opening, under the weatherstrip is the b-pillar, it has a few adjustments you can make to seal the window better, this is what i had to do.

 

[samickguy15]

Where is it pulling away at? Top, A-pillar, B-pillar? If it's the top, I suspect you could fab some sort of aluminum reinforcement that would push the outer w-strip to the window. If it's the B-piller, you probably need to shim the w-strip. I have heard of people needing to shim some of the cheapo w-strip to make it fit nice and tight.

 

[87foxstang]

yea shimming it usually works, unless you need a lot, then it just looks odd. I had to shim a small spot on mine. You cant see it unless your looking for it and it worked fine

 

[Mikey1968]

It's pulling out at the top rear of the window on both sides.

I know older Fox 'Stangs had vinyl-coated steel springs for blow-out clips. These are shown in the manual. I also had these on an old set of tops I bought for summer....tinted them limo black and swap stock ones with these each season change. I had to remove the clips as the vinyl was gone and metal on glass is bad ju-ju!!!

Potential problem with adjusting the w-strip out is the window wants to dive under the w-stripping when rolling up....but I can try it. I adjusted the window top to tilt in and it did this.

With no or low wind, it does OK. Wind really pulls on the top bad!

 

[samickguy15]

You could always buy some aluminum and a can of that tool dip stuff(handle coating) and make some guides and then coat them with that stuff. I would think that would work well. Either that or cut up a cheap plastic cutting block and use it.

 

[Mikey1968]

Hey, those are some good ideas!! Thanks!

 

[rd]

I fooled with this years ago on my 79 Capri, that I had t-tops installed into in 81.

I ended up using some cheap, narrow, door weather stripping and putting it on the glass just outside the area where the glass contacted the rubber seals in top frame. When the tops were in, it butted up against the rubber and really helped cut down the wind noise. You can also put a strip of it on the top of the glass where it goes under the center strip.

I used some black rtv to build up the door weather strip at the top rear of the side window to cut down on the wind and rain drips.

I still have the original seals in it from 81. It leaks in heavy rain, but I like it so much it doen't matter.