Progress on #782

[kevins2]

Hi Dan,

Looks really good. As for the turn signal light, it is not only a bit droopy, it is also considerably closer to the cooling duct than the other side. Easy way to spot an ERA.

[mickmate]

It does look fantastic, keep the ratchets righty tighty!

[cscobra]

Jim Holden's advice is sound--make sure you have the side curtains mounted and that you adjust the windshield angle to them. And, take your time fitting the top (I spent several days on it, but it was time well spent). Practice on the tonneau cover by fitting it first before moving on to the top. Moss Motors sells a terrific tool which easily punches out the five holes (one large center hole, four angled slots) needed to fit the Lift-the-Dot fasteners used with the tonneau cover and the top.

The time it takes will be worthwhile--the top seals better than I expected (even better than either of my MGs and many other British cars I've driven or ridden in that use this design). Most importantly, though, it turned out not to be the "noisy rattletrap" that Peter predicted it would be.

By the way, I like your grille splitter and I'm glad you have one, too. You and I may well be the only ones left who are using it. i think it makes the entire front end appearance complete.

I found that the top and the side curtain bags fit well on the upper trunk shelf. I put the bag for the tonneau cover on the left side of the trunk (the fuel filler pipe intrudes on the right) with a "Continental Kit" (tire inflator and sealant, if needed--I bought mine online at Tire Rack) in its plastic case underneath the cover bag. The top bows I have laying out of the way on the trunk floor--I had them powdercoated black after fitting the top, but I need a bag for them, too (similar to what early MGBs used with their "Erector Set" tops).

Just some ideas--hope some will prove useful.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by kevins2

Hi Dan,

Looks really good. As for the turn signal light, it is not only a bit droopy, it is also considerably closer to the cooling duct than the other side. Easy way to spot an ERA.

I'll have to check that out. Since your body is a little newer than mine I guess they didn't correct for that on the last body mold make over.

Dan

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by mickmate

It does look fantastic, keep the ratchets righty tighty!

Thanks Nick - yes, righty tighty is much better than lefty loosey.

Dan

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by cscobra

Jim Holden's advice is sound--make sure you have the side curtains mounted and that you adjust the windshield angle to them. And, take your time fitting the top (I spent several days on it, but it was time well spent). Practice on the tonneau cover by fitting it first before moving on to the top. Moss Motors sells a terrific tool which easily punches out the five holes (one large center hole, four angled slots) needed to fit the Lift-the-Dot fasteners used with the tonneau cover and the top.

The time it takes will be worthwhile--the top seals better than I expected (even better than either of my MGs and many other British cars I've driven or ridden in that use this design). Most importantly, though, it turned out not to be the "noisy rattletrap" that Peter predicted it would be.

By the way, I like your grille splitter and I'm glad you have one, too. You and I may well be the only ones left who are using it. i think it makes the entire front end appearance complete.

I found that the top and the side curtain bags fit well on the upper trunk shelf. I put the bag for the tonneau cover on the left side of the trunk (the fuel filler pipe intrudes on the right) with a "Continental Kit" (tire inflator and sealant, if needed--I bought mine online at Tire Rack) in its plastic case underneath the cover bag. The top bows I have laying out of the way on the trunk floor--I had them powdercoated black after fitting the top, but I need a bag for them, too (similar to what early MGBs used with their "Erector Set" tops).

Just some ideas--hope some will prove useful.

Thanks for the tips (also from Jim). The top fitting may be a winter project. I don't have a tonneau at this time but I'm beginning to think about one.

Dan

[avanti-176]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Also installed the griller splitter today.

Looks great Dan! I wonder if you could tell me what the width of the ERA mouth is. I was wondering how close it is to my Contemporary and if the ERA splitter would work on my car. Mine is pretty much at the same stage as yours right now.

Thanks,
Dan

[DanEC]

Dan - as best I can measure on the car, the grill opening is around 26-1/2 inches wide at the splitter. The actual sheet metal splitter is 26-1/4 give or take a sixteenth. There is a metal tab bent over on the sides that secures underneath with a screw into the side of the girll opening. There are a couple aluminum brackets at the rear that secure it to the radiator supports.

Hope this helps.

Thanks

Dan

Originally Posted by avanti-176

Looks great Dan! I wonder if you could tell me what the width of the ERA mouth is. I was wondering how close it is to my Contemporary and if the ERA splitter would work on my car. Mine is pretty much at the same stage as yours right now.

Thanks,
Dan

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by kevins2

Hi Dan,

Looks really good. As for the turn signal light, it is not only a bit droopy, it is also considerably closer to the cooling duct than the other side. Easy way to spot an ERA.

Boy, you weren't kidding. The driver side turn signal is 3/4 inch closer to the fresh air duct opening compared to the passenger side. You would think that after sanding the body about a dozen times over and spraying it with Slick Sand, sealer and paint that I would have noticed that before.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Boy, you weren't kidding. The driver side turn signal is 3/4 inch closer to the fresh air duct opening compared to the passenger side. You would think that after sanding the body about a dozen times over and spraying it with Slick Sand, sealer and paint that I would have noticed that before.

Too funny! Dan, I studied every centimeter of my car for long periods of time and never noticed it. I read about it (can't remember where now) but remember going out to the garage to see if it was true. I felt the same way - couldn't believe I didn't notice it.

I don't believe ERA has any intention of taking that out of their mold - that's the way the original car was that they patterned the 427 after. I don't know if that was from some damage repair of if it was built that way originally. Regardless, it adds character to the car...

Kevin

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by DanEC

The top fitting may be a winter project. I don't have a tonneau at this time but I'm beginning to think about one.

Dan

Hi Dan,

You'll probably see this warning in ERA's instructions but thought I'd point it out since you mentioned fitting the top in the winter:

"Do not try to fit a cold top! Always work at room temperature or above."

I can imagine spending a lot of time getting a nice tight fitting top and then when warm weather comes along, noticing it's kind of saggy looking...

Kevin

[DanEC]

Kevin,

I thought that remark was mostly about trying to erect and snap down a fitted top in cold weather but I could be wrong. I guess the same would apply to fitting a new top. I think I will get the bows powder coated so maybe that and the rest of the assembly will keep me occupied for the winter.

thanks

Dan

[kevins2]

The word "work" made me think it was more than just putting the top up. Jack at ERA would be the expert to ask about any potential problems with fitting it in cold weather. Powder coating the bows sounds like a good idea to make them last. I haven't purchased a top yet. My brother will be going to look at a used one down in the Atlanta area. It needs repair so not sure I'll go that way.

Kevin

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I thought that remark was mostly about trying to erect and snap down a fitted top in cold weather but I could be wrong. I guess the same would apply to fitting a new top.

Four or five years ago, I decided to put my top on and go for a ride when the temperature was, maybe, in the low 50's -- I guess the car and the top could have still been in the high 40's from the overnight. Now, on a warm summer day, my top fits pretty well, as Jack at ERA fitted it for me (see this tweak thread: Soft Top - ISO the Perfect Fit, or Just a Decent One... ). I still remember that day -- it took me about 20 minutes to get all the lift-a-dots fastened in the cold, maybe more, and my thumb tips throbbed for days. A cold day, and a nicely fitted top, do not go together well. Yes, there is a technique with the lift-a-dots to get them to go over the little spikes easier, but your fingers soon go numb, regardless. Oh well, it is what it is.

[kevins2]

The real question is whether it is better to fit the top for the first time (do the stretching, gluing, etc.) in cooler weather or warmer. I would think it would be best to fit the top in warm weather based on ERA's statement. It may actually be a trade-off. If fitted in hot weather, it might not stretch enough to go on in the cold (or at least be very difficult). If fitted in cold weather, it might be saggy in hot weather.

Kevin

[DonC]

Don't know about the current crop of cars but my soft top bows have a threaded portion on the end that fits into the ferules behind the door that allow for about 1/2 inch of travel. That could take up any slack in a "slightly" loosely fitting top.
DonC

[1985 CCX]

Coming along great!
Very nice.............

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DonC

Don't know about the current crop of cars but my soft top bows have a threaded portion on the end that fits into the ferules behind the door that allow for about 1/2 inch of travel. That could take up any slack in a "slightly" loosely fitting top.
DonC

Yep, good point. That would be these:

[kevins2]

Ah, that makes sense. Good to know, thanks.

Kevin

[DanEC]

I think cold, stiff convertible top material does not adapt well to either first fitting or rountine erection. I can get my garage up to about 65, maybe 70 in the winter but that probably is marginal for the first fitting.

Thanks