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10-04-2012, 07:51 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sparta
Posts: 145
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t top problem
i have a 1989 camaro rs with t tops and it leaks so bad. there are literally puddles in the floor pans right now. seats soaked all the way through. all from the past storm. i just had the t top rails cleaned and replaced the seals with brand new classic industries oe seals (BIG $$) and they still leak. my dad said that maybe the body was twisted or warped in a certain way from all the torque from the engine. i need your input on this. what have i not done to stop the rain from coming in???
Last edited by camarocrazy42; 10-12-2012 at 12:57 PM.
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10-04-2012, 08:33 PM
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#2
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hackettstown, NJ
Posts: 165
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T tops always leak. Replaced all the seals with new SoftSeal on my daughters 86 Z-28 years ago and nothing changed Good luck
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10-04-2012, 08:57 PM
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#3
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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did you change the seals on the ttops themselves?
also remove the ttop t-panel on the roof between the tops. check for rust under there and seal where all those screw holes are
Last edited by V; 10-04-2012 at 08:58 PM.
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10-04-2012, 09:05 PM
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#4
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sparta
Posts: 145
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did all of it. took off t top center bar and everything. also replaced all of the seals in the t top.
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10-04-2012, 09:11 PM
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#5
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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there are adjustments and shims at the latch points, try adjusting them to pull the tops down more
also, get in car, wear a poncho if ur a sissy and have someone drench the car with a hose or set up a sprinkler, take it from there
Last edited by V; 10-04-2012 at 09:12 PM.
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10-04-2012, 09:17 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sparta
Posts: 145
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ok idk its already latching down real snug. u gotta push down on it a bit in order to latch it
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10-04-2012, 09:21 PM
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#7
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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then id look at the seal gaps closer
a little investigation will lead you to the problem
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10-04-2012, 09:23 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sparta
Posts: 145
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ok and just to make sure. im suppose to put a bead of seal silicone or whatever its called under the t top seals right?
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10-04-2012, 09:28 PM
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#9
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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weatherstripping adhesive in small quantities, put on both sides, let dry, install.
its like contact cement
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10-04-2012, 09:28 PM
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#10
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sparta
Posts: 145
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ok.
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10-11-2012, 05:39 PM
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#11
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
Posts: 777
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I may have a lil booklet to help you out here. There is a way to literally adjust the T tops themselves. I'll have to find the file.
I found it. From GM themselves. Its a PDF File. However, it may be too big to attach to a post here. If you have an email address I could send it to you that way. Its a 50 page long read. And I've been told its a major help. Having read it from time to time myself, I think if you can't fix a leak with this manual...you did something wrong lol. << Goes for myself as well when I finish my 84.
Forget the email... The link I used to get the PDF file still worked on the early third gen site that I'm part of for Firebirds. Here is the link. It links you straight to the PDF document and you can save the whole 50 page thing to your computer like I did. If the link doesn't work let me know and I can email you the file if you give me an address to send it to.
http://www.kt-s.net/media/T-Top%20Wa...k%20Manual.pdf
Last edited by L695speed; 10-11-2012 at 06:11 PM.
Reason: original link to the document still worked, put in the post.
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10-11-2012, 08:51 PM
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#12
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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They make paints that will show the path of the water. Basically follow the washed away areas.
__________________
2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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10-11-2012, 08:57 PM
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#13
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,151
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find OE gaskets. they will cost you. aftermarket ones not so good
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10-12-2012, 12:56 PM
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#14
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sparta
Posts: 145
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they are oe. just paid close to 300 for them
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10-12-2012, 02:53 PM
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#15
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 540
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I went through a waterleak/windnoise class a while ago and they had some good test methods.
Not sure how well this would work on a 3rd gen but one method was to seal the body vents and pressurize the interior using the blower motor. mix water and your usual car soap or something that will make a lot a suds and go over the suspected area. Any spot where water was leaking in will allow the pressurized air to come out and cause bubbles.
Another way to diagnose weatherstrips is to coat them with baby powder or talcum powder. Reinstall the t-top then check for spots where the powder did not transfer. If there is a low spot or weak spot in the weatherstrip the powder should not be disturbed at all.
When I installed my new t-top seals I had to readjust the t-top glass. Where your lock mechanism engages to the body you can loosen them and move them up or down.
By OE I think he meant seals made by GM. From what I remeber the t-top weatherstrips were discontinued shortly after i replaced mine about 5-6 years ago. The only thing you can get now is aftermarket/reproduction.
Last edited by Stevoone; 10-12-2012 at 03:04 PM.
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10-12-2012, 09:15 PM
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#16
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: West Milford
Posts: 1,026
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You have to find where the water is intruding..it could be running down the a/pillar and coming in by the kickpanel..don't rule out other areas or the front windshield seal itself...test while dry w/a garden hose but i normally always use a car cover (breathable) and when it rains use a tarp for the preventative aspect in the old bird.
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10-13-2012, 07:28 PM
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#17
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sparta
Posts: 145
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thats exactly whats happening that and just coming straight down from that region
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10-17-2012, 08:19 AM
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#18
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 1,868
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Hey Chris thats a great manual. A lot of good info in there
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Formerly known as blk95formula
86t/a_ram_air on TGO
2018 Silverado 1500
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10-17-2012, 10:49 AM
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#19
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greenformula92
Hey Chris thats a great manual. A lot of good info in there
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Thanks Mike, a guy in a different forum uploaded it after saying he had it and I asked if he could upload it. Anyone with a T-top car should have that manual. A ton of info in there that is not in the fisher body manual.
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10-20-2012, 08:59 PM
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#20
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sparta
Posts: 145
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ok think i may hav fxed it. another problem popped up though. heater core is going
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10-20-2012, 10:29 PM
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#21
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by camarocrazy42
ok think i may hav fxed it. another problem popped up though. heater core is going
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Oooh that is a fun job, loads of fun. It went on my GTA after I met you at the chatterbox that one night. If you need a hand or some tips I will be happy to help you there. I did the one on the GTA and the one on the 84 I am building up. (the one in the 84 exploded spectacularly at the fair 3 years ago.)
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10-20-2012, 10:47 PM
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#22
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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a heater core is not that difficult to do. The dashes pop out quite easily, and then you just kinda lay it off to the side. lol. I did the heater core in my one old GTA in like 45 min.
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10-20-2012, 11:14 PM
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#23
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by V
a heater core is not that difficult to do. The dashes pop out quite easily, and then you just kinda lay it off to the side. lol. I did the heater core in my one old GTA in like 45 min.
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I pull the dash pad and the passenger side speaker, and the plastic panels under the dash. I leave the dash in place and use extensions to get the bolts that are deep in the heater box. Even looking for tools I did the GTA (lessons learned from the 84's job) in an hour or so. I agree not hard, just a pain in the ass really.
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10-23-2012, 07:22 AM
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#24
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Ebearnezer Scrooge/Power Member/Lips
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hamilton, Mercer county
Posts: 4,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by camarocrazy42
ok think i may hav fxed it. another problem popped up though. heater core is going
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Take the passenger seat out, IMO that helps a lot. Then you can sit on the floor without contorting your body to get under the dash.
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10-23-2012, 10:18 AM
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#25
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sparta
Posts: 145
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t tops still leak just as bad! so pissed off
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