My Super convertible coupe top has not been operated for more than 20 years. It operates off of engine vacuum supplied to a large cylinder on both sides along the quarter panel. Aside from replacing poor hose can anyone tell me what they have done successfully to make a similar top function again? Big Thanks.
Hi. I have a ‘41 caddy convertible. It’s the same mechanism on mine. I have connected and disconnected the control switch for wiring won’t and luckily it always works. You basically have to have really heavy vacuum hoses that won’t collapse under pressure. I believe I read that the hose connections and the seal at the ram are the places to check. It should just be a push/pull vacuum switch so not much to fail there. I know mine always needs a bit of help to get it up slightly. Then it goes on it’s own. I read that the push/pull switch corrodes and leaks. I’m sure you can open it up and check it. It may just be a seal that move back an forth. note that if someone holds the switch in any position. Or disconnect hose. You can operate the top manually. Check the Cadillac Lasalle club or Buick club forums. I saw a topic about this exact issue recently. But can’t find it.
My Buick has not had the top dropped in over 20 years, so I was concerned about damaging something by starting the engine, unlatching it and pulling the control. I tend to obsess on projects coupled with my military aircraft maintenance training and advanced age, so a successful step-by-step procedure was what I was looking for. So, this is what I plan to do. 1. Clean, inspect and lube the rams and the pivot points. Operate pivot points some if possible. 2. Replace all hard or cracked hose with thick wall vacuum hose. 3. Some how add about once kerosene & neatsfoot to each cylinder and let it sit for a few days. I would rather remove both cylinders, disassemble, clean and lube them prior to reinstalling them, but I have not found how to to remove them from the car. 4. Remove, disassemble, clean, lube and reassemble and reinstall the under dash switch. 5. My '41 has a mid 50s nail head V8, so I will be looking for about 20#s of vacuum at the manifold. 6. Hope this all results in an operating convertible top. I don't have a plan B. Thanks all.
Fargo Mike; Mine is a 41Buick Super, with the vacuum switch for convertible top. My switch is just the casing now and I need a replacement. I don't care about the originality of the parts, so something from Chev. or another brand is fine. A spring loaded plunger, when pulled out the top goes up and "in" and it goes down, then goes back to center position when action is completed. A friend found a reproduction unit from a Caddy parts guy at $ 375+. I need NOS or used to make it affordable. Any advice?
Ken. There was a switch on eBay last week. About than 200. Basically all you need is a two position vacuum switch. You can prob run two separate switches. The lines don't care where the switch is at. The just care about the direction the vacuum goes to. Here is the switch I saw. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2566896568...iNWqjBJRY2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY you can probably make this one work also. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2260264364...iNWqjBJRY2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
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