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T-top leak found at last

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Old 12-17-2001, 03:34 PM
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FeedVaal
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Default T-top leak found at last

After spending many frustrating hours getting my butt wet after replacing all my weatherstripping ,I finally realized water was getting in through the chrome strip on the outside edge. I used butyl tape to seal under there and finally am dry.
A tip of the hat to 71,454,4spd whose post led me to rethink the situation.


:cheers:
Old 12-17-2001, 05:21 PM
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LAvetteman
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (FeedVaal)

Glad you found the problem. I learned my water drainage knowledge from TNT. He lives about 25 minutes away from me and he showed me where the trouble spots were.
Old 12-17-2001, 05:41 PM
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Desertdawg
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (71,454,4spd)

I'm going to replace all my weather stripping in a couple of weeks.
When do you think you will be here to help :lol: :lol: :lol:
Old 12-17-2001, 07:33 PM
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inqbus383
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (71,454,4spd)

I replaced the T-top weatherstripping to no avail, but haven't found the problem yet. The water gets in somewhere, drips into the plastic that covers the frame(between the windshield and the back window) and FLOWS out onto my left leg where that plastic piece ends. Any pictures of the problem area and what you guys did? Water makes me crazy... :crazy:
Old 12-17-2001, 08:30 PM
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7t2vette
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (FeedVaal)

PLEASE tell us all a more detailed explanation of where the water leaks in from........WE NEED TO KNOW!!!!!! I am unsure of which chrome piece you are speaking of.

Bruce
Old 12-18-2001, 01:37 AM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (7t2vette)

The chrome strips that are riveted to the stainless t bar strip, you will notice the stainless piece has a grove in it that makes the curve and empties toward the chrome pieces. Its important to have a good seal in between these chrome pieces and the fiberglass ledge they are on top of, but on mine, I added some clear silicon in between the chrome and the arch (or whatever you call it).

I got a picture, who wants to host it for me?
[Modified by 71,454,4spd, 11:37 PM 12/17/2001]


[Modified by 71,454,4spd, 11:41 PM 12/17/2001]
Old 12-18-2001, 01:40 AM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (Desertdawg)

Desertdawg, come on down to Lousiana. Its the perfect time, the gumbo pots are in full force and crawfish season is upon us.LOL :yesnod: :lol:
Old 12-18-2001, 02:43 AM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (71,454,4spd)

send it to yellow69shark@aol.com. I'll put it up for you.
Old 12-19-2001, 12:52 AM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (Steve Straus)

You've got mail.
Old 12-19-2001, 01:01 AM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (FeedVaal)

After spending many frustrating hours getting my butt wet after replacing all my weatherstripping ,I finally realized water was getting in through the chrome strip on the outside edge. I used butyl tape to seal under there and finally am dry.
A tip of the hat to 71,454,4spd whose post led me to rethink the situation.


:cheers:
What?!?! I thought the leaking T-top was one of rare options on a C3!
Old 12-19-2001, 01:09 AM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (Golden80)

It is. Only 3 million produced. :lol:
Old 12-19-2001, 01:15 AM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (71,454,4spd)

2,999.999 now.
Old 12-19-2001, 03:19 AM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (71,454,4spd)

Sorry for the delay, work was hell today

Here are the pics:



Old 12-19-2001, 05:57 AM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (FeedVaal)

Wish I had spotted your initial thread some time ago, as in fact this is an age old problem with any GM car....well most of them anyway, especially convertibles.....I had an old '73 Grandville convertible, with stainless headliner on the windshild bow, and it allways leaked, badly...never fixed that fault on that car....well also got a bit later a '70 GTO Lemans...convertible....header was done in vinyl glued over the steel plates....so I re did it to freshen it up, never leaked a drop....SO, when getting my present '72 vette it was stainless, and it leaked....so I wrapped the stainless while mounted in place, trimed the vinyl around the latch area with a razor, and now my car will not leak even into a hurry-caine at 80 mph......now if I could just do same with side windows where water gets blown UP the side window, to that crack in the weatherstripping where the top fold in half....and in on my shirt sleeve.....but haven't figgered out how to do that yet, it's a mess....

GENE
Old 12-19-2001, 07:19 AM
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GaryS
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (FeedVaal)

If your tops are leaking, go to K Mart and buy a small shaker bottle of talcum powder. Pull your tops off and liberally sprinkle the talc around the area where the T top will sit. Gently lower the T top in place, trying to avoid sliding the top over the talc. Once you have the top down and secure, take a garden hose and spray away. Then lift your top back off and you may be able to find the leak by the trail where the water went through the talc. This has worked for me for doors too.
Gary
Old 12-19-2001, 12:53 PM
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Default Re: T-top leak found at last (GaryS)

If your tops are leaking, go to K Mart and buy a small shaker bottle of talcum powder. Pull your tops off and liberally sprinkle the talc around the area where the T top will sit. Gently lower the T top in place, trying to avoid sliding the top over the talc. Once you have the top down and secure, take a garden hose and spray away. Then lift your top back off and you may be able to find the leak by the trail where the water went through the talc. This has worked for me for doors too.
Gary
That is an AWESOME idea!!
Old 01-26-2010, 12:08 AM
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Do any of You guys has the pics for this thread? I am having a big problem with water getting in through the T Tops and I am trying to fix it. As a rare thing it has been raining here in CA for the last week and the floor pan on the passanger side looks like a pool...
Thanks for any help...
Regards: Edgar......
Old 01-26-2010, 10:37 AM
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Tks for the TALC idea....never thought of that before!!

I know where mine leaks I just cant get it to stop!
It leaks BETWEEN the weaterstrip and the SS surface where the weatherstrip is supposed to sit. I just cant get the T-top to sit "lower" in that area. Im afraid to pull it down to much and break or crack the tops. Car has the eyebrow effect. Pic attached is with the blue glass tops. Fiberglass tops are the same eyebrow effect.

Both he fiberglass and blue glass tops have new rubbers and have the same leak. Is it possible to adjust the SS piece any? I doubt it.
Anybody with the same problems?

rubbersidedown
Dodosmike

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