Hardtop Project

[john4337]

I glassed the bigger gaps on the outside and did a bit of filler and a rough sand and set the top back on to see where I'm at. Looks like I'll have to rework the spot under the back window. Seems to be sitting high, but its closer.

[john4337]

The longer I looked at it, I knew I wouldn't be happy with that gap below the back window, so I'm having another go at it.

[john4337]

I think I’m sneaking up on it…the real fiberglass guys are probably in therapy by now.

[N2Cobras]

John,

Looks like you are doing a great mod to the top. btw, what shade of green is your pride and joy?

Mike

WI Road America License plate: ASPBIT

[john4337]

Originally Posted by N2Cobras

John,

Looks like you are doing a great mod to the top. btw, what shade of green is your pride and joy?

Mike

WI Road America License plate: ASPBIT

Thanks Mike.

Right now it’s a very dirty Jaguar HGZ. Here it is a bit cleaner.

[john4337]

Small steps today, worked on filling the gap but it’s very cool here today and resin is taking a bit to set, so I worked on the catches for the front. I found a 6-32 tap fit the existing holes in the sidebars, so I gently tapped them, shortened some SS pan heads and mounted the hooks. At least its progress.

[john4337]

Thought it was time for an update. I finally figured out why it looked a bit off from the back. The window opening wasn’t parallel to the bottom of the top, so a bit of glass work and cutting got it pretty close. I alost worked on the lower edge under the window and got the radius looking better Also had to make an adjustment to the lower flange on the PS, but it’s all progress.

[john4337]

More progress today. My machinist buddy delivered the pieces that will attach the top to the car using my existing Rod Top anchor points just behind the doors. All that’s left is to radius and polish them. I’ll forgo mounting them to the top until after I settle on the gasket choice. The top had a press on one that attached to the lip at the base of the top, but it’s pretty thick rubber and all my butchery of the top has left the lip inconsistent. I’m leaning toward some kind of bulb seal glued to the lip. Hardtop guys please chime in with any thoughts.





I then started on the removal of the monster hump.



It wanted to sag a bit in the middle, so I screwed a section of angle to keep it in place.



I thought using the cut out prices to fill in, but I’ve abandoned that and will just glass it in. I screwed some wire over the opening to copy the curve, hope this works, we’ll see.

[john4337]

Am I doing something wrong that is making the photos so big?

[john4337]

The oversized Gurney bump is history. Don’t think it came out too bad.

[PDUB]

Suggestion: resize your photos prior to posting so that we can actually see what you are doing! Sounds interesting, but hard to see...

[john4337]

Originally Posted by PDUB

Suggestion: resize your photos prior to posting so that we can actually see what you are doing! Sounds interesting, but hard to see...

Thanks, I’ll give it another try. Having a rough time getting the hang of this forum, I tried posting as attachments, got a security token error. Tried linking them from the gallery on another forum and they’re huge and I still get errors…… Even got a fatal error posting this reply….maybe because I work off an iPad?

[john4337]

Until I sort my photo issue out, thought I’d post the link for the factory five forum, the photos work there for some reason. I’m sure it’s my error

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...728#post525728

[john4337]

Ok, I needed to find an app for my iPad to allow me to resize photos. I think I got it now.

[DanEC]

By golly, I think you’re getting there. What are you going to do for a rear glass? After you get all the fiberglass work pretty much done I would sit it out in the sun for a couple of weeks and let the heat take care of any glass shrinkage and moving and help stabilize it.

[john4337]

Originally Posted by DanEC

By golly, I think you’re getting there. What are you going to do for a rear glass? After you get all the fiberglass work pretty much done I would sit it out in the sun for a couple of weeks and let the heat take care of any glass shrinkage and moving and help stabilize it.

The top came with what looks like Lexan windows. I've been checking all along the way to make sure they'll still fit. I have been putting it out in the sun as much as possible.

[john4337]

Ok, I've laid about 3 thin coats of stranded filler and one of regular filler (which I haven't sanded yet) and here's where I'm at.

From the front.



From the side.



So, how to deal with the dip in the front to back shot? Too much to fill? more glass?

Thanks in advance.

John

[DanEC]

It might be possible to place it upside down with on some supports and pile some weight on the low area and let the weight and the sun do its thing over the course of several days. But that could just spread the problem around. So yes, fiberglass mat and resin are probably the best way to go.

[john4337]

Originally Posted by DanEC

It might be possible to place it upside down with on some supports and pile some weight on the low area and let the weight and the sun do its thing over the course of several days. But that could just spread the problem around. So yes, fiberglass mat and resin are probably the best way to go.

Thanks, I’ll let you know how it goes

[john4337]

Thought I'd post an update. I ended up adding some more glass, then filling and blocking it down with 80 grit. its not completely symmetrical, but I'm not sure it was when I started. Plan now is to lay down some high build primer and block it some more.