granted...it's a MG Midget page... but he techniques work the same
for all convertible tops. At the bottom of the page at
http://www.teglerizer.com/midgetstuff/interior2.htm
is how I installed all the fasteners on my Robbins top.
As far as the standard snaps go...simply stand up a 2x4 on the ground that
is the right length and use it 'end on' as an anvil. All my snaps where
installed in under twenty minutes and fit perfectly.
Any hardware store sells kits for snaps that have a small punch
and metal anvil to use to set them (flare the pieces) correctly.
Paul Tegler wizardz@toad.net http://www.teglerizer.com
OBie - '73 BGT - daily driver
http://www.teglerizer.com/mgstuff/ob_description.htm
Punkin' - '78 Spitfire - corner ripping screamer
http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphstuff/spit78.htm
Lil' Greenee - '73 RWA Midget - lady killer
http://www.teglerizer.com/midgetstuff/index.html
-----Original Message-----
From: alemen@pop.ftconnect.com <alemen@pop.ftconnect.com>
To: spitfires@autox.team.net <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Date: Thursday, April 06, 2000 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Thanks for Top advice - couple questions....
Doug, as in my original email reply to Kevin. my solution to not having a fine
"snout" on my pop-rivit gun is to use a very small hex nut. worked fine on the
snap fasteners on the back and also on the rails on the front. Saved me buying
a new one (small "snouts" one are hard if not impossible to find) and everyone
I asked to borrow from had the same as me. If the bars are in good condition
keep them. They are pricey.
Alan
Original Message:
-----------------
From: Douglas Braun & Nadia Papakonstantinou dougnad@bellatlantic.net
Date: Thu, 06 Apr 2000 09:27:20 -0400
Subject: Re: Thanks for Top advice - couple questions....
Check all the nuts and bolts, and the two-part plastic sleeves on all the
joints.
You can get exact replacement rounded-head nuts and bolts, but they are
sort of expensive (and my bolt order has been on back-order at TRF for 6
months).
Regular bolts are certainly better than nothing, though.
My latches and the metal channels that hold the seal were all OK,
but several years ago I replaced the wavy spring washers on the latches,
which keep the latches from flopping around.
I bought a Robbins top, and if I had known that the Amco ones had pre-installed
snaps,
I would have gotten it instead. It is hard to install the snaps then the
top is on the car, because you need a rigid surface to hold the snap while you
hammer it
on, and the car's trunk lid does not qualify :-)
(If anyone knows where to buy a hand-held tool for installing snaps, let me
know!)
I used Permatex SUPER weatherstrip adhesive (the classic yellow Gorrilla Snot).
A single 2-oz tube is enough, unless you make a lot of mistakes and have to rip
it
up and start over.
Finally, make sure that your pop-rivet gun has a relatively long and pointy
"snout".
Otherwise it will not fit inside the seal retainer channels and the plastic
snaps.
Good Luck,
Doug Braun
'72 Spit
At 08:54 AM 4/6/00 -0400, you wrote:
>Thanks gang,
>
>I appreciate everyone's comments - you have all convinced me to get the top
>and give it a go myself! I think I will minimize the chances of disaster by
>getting the AMCO top with the snaps pre-installed. Now my question is -
>what should I plan on replacing at the same time? I know I need a new
>rubber seal, but should I get new front retainer bars? My top frame is in
>quite good condition, it's just that the top I have has shrunk badly and
>started to split.
>
>Thanks again,
>
>Kevin Rhodes
>Freddy the Spit
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