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jimhens714 Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2009 Posts: 64 Location: Rocklin, CA
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject: Convertible header bow clearance question |
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Help! I'm replacing my convertible top and header bow. When I mount the header bow to the frame (no fabric installed yet) and close and latch the frame what should the clearance be between the header bow and the top of the windshield frame? The tabs for the header bow alignment pins hit the top of the windshield frame and prevent the bow from touching the windshield frame. I have about 1/4" clearance at center of bow and closer to 1/2" clearance at each end. This seems a bit much to me. _________________ Jim
'70 Type 1 Convertible
'05 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31270 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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I'm a little confused. After the top is installed there's a rubber strip that mounts to the top, which seats on the top of the frame. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Bierboy Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2009 Posts: 819 Location: East Moline, Ill.
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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Cusser wrote: |
I'm a little confused. After the top is installed there's a rubber strip that mounts to the top, which seats on the top of the frame. |
That may be the "clearance" he's referring to...I replaced that seal after getting my beetle, and it's probably 1/4 to 1/2 inch. _________________ "Otto" -- my '68 vert
Bi-State VW Club
VVWCA
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jimhens714 Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2009 Posts: 64 Location: Rocklin, CA
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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Cusser wrote: |
I'm a little confused. After the top is installed there's a rubber strip that mounts to the top, which seats on the top of the frame. |
Yes that is true but the seal is only about 3/8" thick uncompressed. I'm thinking the gap is too big for the seal. I'm replacing the whole top. I haven't even gotten to the fabric part yet, still installing the wood bow on the metal frame.
Here is a photo of what I'm talking about. Now note on this side the wood bow is not yet even with the bottom of the metal top frame (black folding frame that is) as the screws have been loosened and it slipped out of position a bit. Even when aligned correctly note the gap between bow and windshield frame.
_________________ Jim
'70 Type 1 Convertible
'05 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 |
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Bierboy Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2009 Posts: 819 Location: East Moline, Ill.
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think the gap is too big for the seal. Now, admittedly, I'm talking from the viewpoint of a 68 vert, so the seals could be different. But my seal is at least 1/4" thick and closer to a 1/2". _________________ "Otto" -- my '68 vert
Bi-State VW Club
VVWCA
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jimhens714 Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2009 Posts: 64 Location: Rocklin, CA
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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Bierboy wrote: |
I don't think the gap is too big for the seal. Now, admittedly, I'm talking from the viewpoint of a 68 vert, so the seals could be different. But my seal is at least 1/4" thick and closer to a 1/2". |
Mine is a '70 which has the same frame as your '68. Hmmm.... _________________ Jim
'70 Type 1 Convertible
'05 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 |
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jd-drafter Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2006 Posts: 197 Location: northern az
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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i think that by the time you get the top material in there- and the rubber seal... you should be close.
mine is a 70 body (68 pan...long story) and the PO had added a layer of 1/4" thick high density foam rubber along that area under the stock seal.
not perfect but it works.
good luck... my top has shrunk and pulled up at the sides... so i am due for a rework or replace soon as well. |
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