I'm chopping the top on my '59 T'Bird convert, which has a set of '64 bows (why '64 is a whole 'nuther topic). I've sunk the w/s into the cowl for a 1 3/4" vertical chop, and as a result, I now need to chop the top bows. I need to cut the upright, cast aluminum main frame, but I need to, or would like to, dis***emble the side rails to cut and weld. The top pivot points are pinned with steel pins, held in place with roll pins. The pin that holds the upright to the rear bottom bow has the roll pin set in a blind hole, leaving no way to drive the pin thru. The upper end roll pin I've already driven out enough to pull the pivot. Should I try to drill an exit hole in the rail on the opposite side? The roll pins are too hard to drill out. I'm kinda stumped by this one... I'm pointing to the lower pivot pin which I can't remove in the photo on the right...
I'm of no help but I always thought that the J-hook or whatever they call it was pot metal. Did not know that other parts were cast aluminum. Can you tig cast aluminum?
Couldn't you just lower the convertible top pivot point the same amount as the windshield and accomplish the same thing without all the cutting and welding. Or am I missing something in my idea? Brian
another question won't the base mount have to be moved forward when the slicing is done? i see what you want to do ? ... now me? i would add a laminated wooden piece under the aluminum one thus lowering its side view leave the whole stock aluminum part inside the top the whole thing should still fold like a stocker shorten the metal bows where needed and move along
Brian, this car was a hardtop. I used a set of '64 bows from a donor T'Bird convert I bought, they are removable, and set on the deck lid, latched with a pair of hood latch pins and latches set in the quarter panels. The top, rather than stack and fold upside down into the truck as original (these are really retractables, in that the trunk lid opens from the rear on converts, the top folds upside down into the trunk), merely folds down, I unlatch it, remove it, and stow it in the trunk. Uside down and backwards. So, to chop it, I HAVE to shorten the upright main rail. No pivot point on the body to drop it. Does that make sense? And yes, cast aluminum can be welded, I had to have one of the rails welded as it was broken when I got the top. A siezed pivot point caused one of the rails to break. Brian
Yes, a little, but I want to move the latches anyway in the quarter panels anyway, so the top can set wherever it has to on the body to fit. Early Corvette convertible tops mount the same way. Brian
Can you drill and tap the main pin then thread a bolt into it and use the bolt with a spacer to pull it?
Well, I thought about that, but I thought there'd be a wierd "hump" where the center bow (2nd one back from the front header) is. I guess I should mock up the top and see what the profile is. Since I'm also chopping the cars original steel roof, also removable, I don't really NEED to do the convert top, but it would be cool to have both options... Brian [QUOTE i see what you want to do ? ... now me? i would add a laminated wooden piece under the aluminum one thus lowering its side view leave the whole stock aluminum part inside the top the whole thing should still fold like a stocker shorten the metal bows where needed and move along[/QUOTE]
The roll pins are tiny, and they seem to be REALLY hard. I don't think I could drill 'em and tap 'em. I first though about drilling them out, but they're hard. Brian
not to be off topic but i have a complete top of a 60 vert that id love to send down the road if you wouldnt mind a small roadtrip from MI to sw oh i have a 60 vert parts car shell in my backyard i have no use of the vert parts
I would drill the center of the main pin and use a die grinder with a ball bit to work toward the roll pin until I get enough out to remove the main pin. A ball bit will allow you to get into the roll pin without damaging the bow where it would be visible.
I must have been on drugs last night, somehow I read '61, which is the same as my '63 bows. You have a set of 60 bows? I'll pm ya. Brian
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