Pissed off at Targa top. Any suggestions?

[slodave]

Hi!

I have followed all of the Targa top threads and know about the aftermarket seals that don't fit. One major problem is just that. I tried a friends completely unmolested top and it fit without a problem.

Anyway, the pics below show my other problems. This roof was recovered over ten years ago and since, has never fit right. One problem, is that the two center panels were mounted a little bit proud and this causes about 12" of the center to ride on the windshield frame. This has exaggerated the wear of the front frame, where the inner clips go. Now it is at the point where the right center clip pops when you just breath on it.

Any Macgyver ideas out there on how to fix (temporarily), until I can once again afford to through $$$ at it?

I was thinking of using some JB weld to fill in the worn areas. I was also thinking that I may be able to carefully remove the inner liner and maybe readjust the inner panels. I know that it would be easier to send this out to fix, but.....

Dave






Bobboloo suggested that I take the frame to a aluminum/magnesium specialist and have the areas weld-filled back in.

[slodave]

Bugger, this was supposed to be in 911 tech forum. My bad!

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by slodave

Bobboloo suggested that I take the frame to a aluminum/magnesium specialist and have the areas weld-filled back in.

Why not just weld in a coupe top, instead? Less fuss in the long run.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Why not just weld in a coupe top, instead? Less fuss in the long run.

That would be too easy!

[KevinP73]

ONE WORD......Convertible !!

[slodave]

Originally Posted by KevinP73

ONE WORD......Convertible !!

Um, no!

[Nathans_Dad]

I'm sure it was meant to be a joke, but could you actually weld in a coupe top onto a targa? Does the body have the correct support in it?

I know it's a wierd question, but I am currently trying to sell my targa (which is an absolute peach of a car mechanically) to buy a coupe to re-do. I wonder if it would be cheaper if you could source out a coupe top and have someone weld it in there...

Is it even possible?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

I'm sure it was meant to be a joke, but could you actually weld in a coupe top onto a targa? Does the body have the correct support in it?

I know it's a wierd question, but I am currently trying to sell my targa (which is an absolute peach of a car mechanically) to buy a coupe to re-do. I wonder if it would be cheaper if you could source out a coupe top and have someone weld it in there...

Is it even possible?

Thom - Widebody911 makes a fiberglass (carbon fiber) shell for convertibles. If you can attach a repro, I'm sure that you could put on a metal coupe shell.

Now, where is a mod to put this in the tech forum??

[slodave]

This is how it came out after the first coat of JB weld. Tonight, I'll fill it in some more. If it all cracks, then I'll see about trying to find someone fill it in for me.

[911Rob]

Easy; my targa........

[efhughes3]

Ummm, don't use the top? Encino Man would infer you live in the land of no rain...

[slodave]

Originally Posted by efhughes3

Ummm, don't use the top? Encino Man would infer you live in the land of no rain...

It's getting that way. I use the top to keep the Targa stiffer when we drive the canyons. It really helps.

Dave

[Joeaksa]

Dave,

Mix the JB Weld with some scrapings off of the shop floor from around the drill press. Residue from drilling holes in metal works very good and hardens up the JB to the point where you can do almost anything with it.

[Grady Clay]

Some high end post for you.

Best,
Grady

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Dave,

Mix the JB Weld with some scrapings off of the shop floor from around the drill press. Residue from drilling holes in metal works very good and hardens up the JB to the point where you can do almost anything with it.

Good idea Joe. We'll see how the JB weld holds up as is. If it fails, maybe I'll get some shavings and give it another try. I had the roof on this evening and it hasn't popped yet. Thanks for the idea!!

Dave

[slodave]

Alright, I don't have easy access to metal shavings at the moment, so I took a beer cap and some sand paper and viola - instant metal shavings. I took a magnet to the JB weld that I mixed last night and it is magnetic, so there is metal in it, but not much. The new batch with added shavings is really magnetic.

Before the JB weld hardened last night I used an X-acto and scored it a bit. I hope this helps the second layer bind.

[tab tanner]

If you can take the cover off and send just the frame to me I'll weld it up for you (no charge) jusy pay the shipping both ways. Let me know if I can help