targa roof adjusting

[log40]

Hi guys,

I 'm finishing my targa roof refurbishment but I have always a trouble I can not solve.
I have no sufficient space between the front roof and the windshield. The trouble is from the side plates, they need to be push backward for two to three millimeters to let the vinyl lip enter in the groove. The only adjustable thing I found is the gap in the center pin hole but it is not enough and even if I drill a bigger hole, I will be blocked by the latches which are yet in their maximum backward position.
I don't understand how it can be worked correctly in the past.
The solutions I'm thinking is to make a custom vinyl with a smaller front lip or more radical but i prefer to avoid it: dismantle the side plates from their frame and move them backward (so I have to restart my work from the beginning).
Did some people experienced this trouble and found another solution or can explain me what is the cause of the problem?

Thanks.

[Discseven]

A few points need clarifiction Log40...

Year of your car?

If you take some pictures of the front and back and post them... that would let us see what you see.

By "space between the front roof and windshield"...do you mean the front of the roof is landing on the metal frame around the windshield. In other words the whole roof is too far forward?

By "Side plates"...do you mean the gutter rails on each side?

By "vinyl lip enter the grove" ...do you mean the front of the roof sitting down on the forward seal provided by the metal frame around the windshield?

When you say the "latches" are not in "maximum backward position"...it sounds like the roof is not going back enough. And it should go back first and all the way back before the front latches are in correct position (I'm referring to my '80 Targa roof.) Is the back edge of the roof in correct position to the top frame of the car when this is happening?

(There are several adjustments possible to an '80 Targa roof.)

[SpyderMike]

Yes, I had that problem...my old top fit fine and the newly refurbished one did not. It as way too tight (seemed too long) to fit properly. My top was rebuilt by a professional well known for it.

Try measuring across from front Driver's side location vertical pin receptacle to the passenger side rear horizontal pin receptacle and then do the same for the other direction (these measurements make an "X" across the top of the targa opening on the car). Mine was off close to half an inch from one side to the other. I ended up have to remove one of the front vertical pins to be able to mount my top. I mounted it in and latched it closed months ago hoping that it would self heal. Time will tell.

My measurements:





My car was in an accident 10 years ago which hit more on one side of the front bumper which probably accounts for it.

[HarryD]

Contact Dan Petchel. He is the guru of all things Targa. His handle here is carsinc.

[Lake Guy]

Wow I'm at the same point with mine. It used to fit before I recovered it and now it too "looks" too long. I had all new rubbers installed and got the right front seal from Carsinc. I have to really jamb it back to get the front to come down and have the latches make. The latches are really tight now though and the top of window side rubber looks way too long in the front. I've temporarily put the old and modified side rubber back on so I can at least get the roof on the car.

I'll be watching/ participating in this thread for sure.

[HarryD]

When I got my top back from Dan and to get the top to fit right I soaked the seal with Vinyl dressing to get it to seat better. You may want to try that.

[Porschephanatic]

Originally Posted by HarryD

Contact Dan Petchel. He is the guru of all things Targa. His handle here is carsinc.

Ditto. Great guy. He got mine to fit.

[log40]

Thanks for the answers.
My car is 81.
My cross measurements are pretty good.
I did some schematics below for the explanations.
I think i solved my problem:
First i tried the roof without the center pins, i didn't obtain more gap.
Secondly I tried with the pins but without the latches and even whith a pressure on the roof the gap was better.
Conclusion, it was the latches which not allow the roof to go backward enough. I filed a litle bit the square holes of the latches (only backward). Now it seem ok, i'm waiting the vinyl cover to see the result.

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG]https://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=845418targalip2.jpg][/IMG]

[SpyderMike]

Great sketches....

[universeman]

Check out the top on this 78 targa, claims never to have been removed or folded (!!!)

The vinyl front and back fit way, way better than that of my recently-rebuilt-professionally top. I guess that's what we're going for. I have worked on mine for the better part of 3 years and still haven't been able to get mine to be as good as this (apparently factory) fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRH_4tD4fcw&t=484s