Calling targa top experts

[willbrown]

Hello,

I've been reading through the various posts on 'Targa tops' I now have a good idea what is causing me a problem. However, I'd be very grateful if the Pelicanites could point me in the right direction before I start making any changes to my set up....

I don't have any leaks. My problem is wind noise through the gap where the top meets the windshield. Above 60 MPH the noise is incredible!

Here's some photos, hopefully these will give some food for though...(apologies for the 4th one, I can't seem to resize it for some reason)









Your advice is greatly appreciated....and here's a photo of my car, a '72 S - stock with some 'friends' at a pub in Richmond, UK.

[Steve87-911]

Originally posted by willbrown

In this first photo, is that really as snug as the left side will get? It looks like the latch is not grabbing the catch. Mine is flush with the top of the windshield frame anyway.

I still need to figure out how to get rid of the wind between the window and the b post rubber seal.

[jasonq]

steve,
the wind between the window and the b pillar rubber is most likely caused the the targa side seal being too far out at the back. that pushes the window out, and off the seal. to check for this, open the door, roll the window down about 1/2" so it will not be in contact with the top, then close it. the window should be up against the b pillar vertical sea. wetting the seal a bit can make it easier to see if it contacts. if itsn't not against the seal, then its the window to seal that needs adjustment, and i can't help. if it is against the seal, open the door again, roll all the way up, and close again. if it is now not against the seal, you need to move the back of the targa side seal in, its pushing the window out. this is done by losening the 5 (i think) screws that hold on the side seal. they are recessed into the seal, with holes in the seal to get at them. open door, loosen the rear 4, rotate the seal about the front one, tighten, check, repeat. drive at speed to double check when done. when right the top edge of the window should just tuck under the seal, but not be pushed out. took me a couple sessions to get mine right. hardest part is doing the screws, its a awkward spot if you leave the top on while adjusting it (i did, lazy).

will,
i'm not the expert here, but some guesses:
1: the top is not a 69-73 top, maybe a 74+ top. did it have a third pin in the center that was cut off? I think the later tops had a slightly different fit at the corners. once again, no expert on top versions, could be way off.

2: the burlap/canvas that connects metal plates inside have rotted/stretched/worn out causing the top to be too loose. it doesn't look like the vinyl is taught in your pics.

3: the top was reskined, and the new skin is too loose.

4: the front corner locating pins sometimes have washers at the base,if so, the the base of the pin might bottom out and push the top up at the corners.

what is for sure is that gap at the corner is way way too big, i can see the front flap of the side seal thru it. I don't think it would be caused by vertical adustment of the latches (done with washers, more washers=tighter) cuz that gap is just too big for that.

of coarse, take a bunch of pics and contact dan at carsincnj.com, he knows everything targa top related...

good luck,
jason

[efhughes3]

When I recovered mine, the LH side stuck up like your pic. I moved the "vertical" pin around and it set down nicely.

[willbrown]

Jason: thanks for your input. I will check the points you have raised. I believe the top is the correct year, as I can't see evidence of a third pin. It looks exactly the same as the top in my drivers' manual....

As you've pointed out I don't think vertical adjustment would make much differnce. The latches seem to be quite taught at present....

I need to do some more investigation....thanks for the tip re. carsinc, although Dan is a long way from the UK I may ship my top over to be rennovated...seems it's the only true fix...

efhughes3: thanks I'll give that a try....

I'll let you know how I get on.

Best,
Will

[Steve87-911]

Thanks for the good tips Jason!

[Tim L]

If the frame is down tight and the front lip is coming up than I think the pop rivet holding aluminum plate to the frame inside the top has come loose. That looks like what mine did when this happened.