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catahoula lou
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2008
Posts: 594
Location: south of Silver Springs, NV
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 Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 5:48 am Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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rcooled/57BLITZ:
So, can you buy those straps or do they need to be fabricated?
If fabricated, do you have any measurements?
Best,
Thom
_________________
1 great wife
2 Catahoula Leopard Dogs (Mahogany Star and Spartan) - RIP Lucy, Braveheart, & Dusty!
1 1959 mango green Ragtop Bug (the "Mango")
1 1958 pantina red Lowlight Ghia (the "Chili Pepper")
Still looking for:
(1) My Dad's 1955 356 (he raced it amateur-class at Riverside and other courses during 1950s),
(2) My parent's black 1955 hardtop bug (CA license plate FWC 201 or FWG 201), and
(3) My parent's agave green 1957 ragtop bug (CA license plate LFK 734). |
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bugandxbandme
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2009
Posts: 162
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 10:00 am Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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| Do you think i need to fix the header piece where the headliner goes (since it is kind of rusted out) or will it work the way it is? Sorry if that is a stupid question. |
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GB2S
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2003
Posts: 1011
Location: Omaha
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| Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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First off, no question is stupid.
In my opinion I would replace the part that is welded to the header, Pinch Weld.
Why? You're going to spend a lot of time cleaning it up and painting it. That part holds the headliner in place. an imperfect on might bleed rust spots.
Also, those tabs bend up when installing the headliner. If the are already weakened or loose from rust, you may have problems. Lastly, the parts is available.
Geoff
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1963 Ragtop |
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2504
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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| catahoula lou wrote: |
| rcooled/57BLITZ:So, can you buy those straps or do they need to be fabricated? If fabricated, do you have any measurements? |
I haven't been able to find a source for these straps, but they would be easy enough to make. The original items are 1/2" wide and 12 7/8" long, and as I said earlier, a nylon pet leash would provide suitable material. After the pieces are cut, fuse the ends with a small flame to keep them from fraying. There are two holes in each end where the strap attaches to the frame, and they should be fused to prevent fraying too. The hole spacing can be measured on the frame.
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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bugandxbandme
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2009
Posts: 162
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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| Awesome, pinch weld is added to cart! |
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catahoula lou
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2008
Posts: 594
Location: south of Silver Springs, NV
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| Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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Thanks, rcooled!
Will have my headliner guy fabricate them when he does the headliner installation.
Best,
Thom
_________________
1 great wife
2 Catahoula Leopard Dogs (Mahogany Star and Spartan) - RIP Lucy, Braveheart, & Dusty!
1 1959 mango green Ragtop Bug (the "Mango")
1 1958 pantina red Lowlight Ghia (the "Chili Pepper")
Still looking for:
(1) My Dad's 1955 356 (he raced it amateur-class at Riverside and other courses during 1950s),
(2) My parent's black 1955 hardtop bug (CA license plate FWC 201 or FWG 201), and
(3) My parent's agave green 1957 ragtop bug (CA license plate LFK 734). |
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57BLITZ
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2012
Posts: 2385
Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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| catahoula lou wrote: |
| If fabricated, do you have any measurements? |
Thom, I also measured my original straps and replicated those dimensions for the straps, but I had to make a second pair because I adjusted the length of the straps. The original length did not work!
I decided that what was most important is, that when the top is closed . . . having the tips of the bows centered within the "pockets" of the cover.
Those "pockets" are not much more than slits. I did not want to have any tension there as I have seen tops with the "pockets" torn . . . and the bows are then able to pull out of the cover!
I determined the length of the straps by first gluing my front header into the new ragtop cover.
I then temporarily installed the "trailing bows" into the ragtop cover so I could measure the distance between the holes.
Covers from various manufactures might be slightly different than mine, so I have considered making straps with the holes elongated to allow for a slight adjustment.
Another consideration . . . go back and look at my photos . . . notice that there are 2 sets of holes in the "roller bracket".
I have not figured out why there's 2 sets of holes, but depending on which holes are used, the spacing of the bow tips will change . . . that should be checked with the particular ragtop cover you purchased so as to match the bow spacing with the rearmost "pockets".
A careful check of these areas will be rewarded with a ragtop cover that will last longer and look nicer than one carelessly installed! 
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Jesucristo es mi Seņor y Salvador! |
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catahoula lou
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2008
Posts: 594
Location: south of Silver Springs, NV
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| Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 5:09 am Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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57BLITZ:
Good idea on the elongated holes. I'll be using the ragtop that my headliner guy sold to me and I installed over 25 years ago, which still looks pretty good. Unfortunately, at the time just had fragments of the OG straps and had no idea what they were for (did not have internet to research at the time, as well). Thus, installed without straps and have some minor tears on the slits you mentioned.
However, printed out the photos above in this thread, along with rcooled's measurements for my headliner guy, just in case.
Best,
Thom
_________________
1 great wife
2 Catahoula Leopard Dogs (Mahogany Star and Spartan) - RIP Lucy, Braveheart, & Dusty!
1 1959 mango green Ragtop Bug (the "Mango")
1 1958 pantina red Lowlight Ghia (the "Chili Pepper")
Still looking for:
(1) My Dad's 1955 356 (he raced it amateur-class at Riverside and other courses during 1950s),
(2) My parent's black 1955 hardtop bug (CA license plate FWC 201 or FWG 201), and
(3) My parent's agave green 1957 ragtop bug (CA license plate LFK 734). |
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bugandxbandme
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2009
Posts: 162
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:45 am Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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| Question... Say I can't get the header closer section apart... But I do fix the pinch weld. Can I get it working properly without taking everything apart? As long as it works properly I don't care if it looks perfect, since it will be covered. |
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57BLITZ
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2012
Posts: 2385
Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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| Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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bugandxbandme . . . You must get those two "shoulder screws" removed . . . no good way around it!
That job will be much easier . . . and there will be less risk of damaging rare/expensive ragtop parts . . . after the locking mechanism has been disassembled!
Are you having trouble removing the Phillips screws?
Thom . . . If your top is installed, it will be very easy to get the measurements for the straps.
Close the top, then, get the tips of the trailing bows centered in the cover "slits", and measure the distance between the holes.
Please let me know what that dimension is for your car, okay?
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Jesucristo es mi Seņor y Salvador! |
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bugandxbandme
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2009
Posts: 162
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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| 57BLITZ wrote: |
bugandxbandme . . . You must get those two "shoulder screws" removed . . . no good way around it!
That job will be much easier . . . and there will be less risk of damaging rare/expensive ragtop parts . . . after the locking mechanism has been disassembled!
Are you having trouble removing the Phillips screws?
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Yes, I know I will have to figure out a way to get the shoulder screws out. And yes! Am having trouble with the Phillips heads. And every other fastener.  |
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57BLITZ
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2012
Posts: 2385
Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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| Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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| bugandxbandme wrote: |
| . . . having trouble with the Phillips heads. And every other fastener. |
I had excellent luck removing those stubborn Phillips by . . .
First . . . drilling completely through the screw . . . straight down the middle with a #45 drill bit in a cordless drill.
Next . . . I heated the screw with a "jeweler's torch" . . . . playing the flame through the hole I drilled . . . until just before the screw started to glow.
Then . . . I was able to turn the screws out.
This is something you will want to try BEFORE the head of the screws are messed up!
A little bit of a process, but WAY easier than trying to remove screws that have broken off!
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Jesucristo es mi Seņor y Salvador! |
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bugandxbandme
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2009
Posts: 162
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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| Interesting...well, I might have to try that! What if it doesn't work tho? |
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57BLITZ
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2012
Posts: 2385
Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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bugandxbandme
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2009
Posts: 162
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 2:26 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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Where I am at now...
Going to order the pinch weld replacement piece. I found a welder who will fix the front part for cheap. He said he will help me take it apart too. Updates later. 😀 |
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GB2S
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2003
Posts: 1011
Location: Omaha
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 9:10 am Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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You should be able to see or feel were the pinch weld is spot welded the header piece. Take a piece if sandpaper and sand pieces to reveal the spot welds. I had the same problem with the screws. used ALOT of penetrating oil and an easy out.
Geoff
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1963 Ragtop |
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GB2S
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2003
Posts: 1011
Location: Omaha
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| Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge |
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The size of the 8 screws in the header that holds the header assembly are:
Screws are M5 x .8 10mm long oval head.
Geoff
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1963 Ragtop |
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