Builds Won a '74 40 on a coin toss... (2 Viewers)

[ginmtb]

Here are the SS button head screws by themselves I may just go this route. If I put caulk inside the hole and under the screw head I should be good. That is more the profile I was thinking. Similar to the rivets.

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

You’re always one step ahead of me, which I appreciate very much. I plan on doing my top over the winter. Keep posting!!

 

[ducktapeguy]

Someone else beat me to it, but I was also going to suggest binding screws (aka chicago screws).

They are very low profile, and a larger head diameter to distribute the force better. It looks like there are already some small stress crackes under the screws. You can get them in aluminum which may prevent putting too much force on the top.

 

[TheHardWay]

^^^ looks like a viable, low profile option (Chicago screws). Lots of available lengths too. By the way, what IS the thickness of the fiberglas?

 

[ginmtb]

^^^ looks like a viable, low profile option (Chicago screws). Lots of available lengths too. By the way, what IS the thickness of the fiberglas?

I didn't measure but it looks like about 1/8". So the small Chicago screw for 1/8"-3/16" thick would work. I will get the aluminum ones too!

The spider cracking seen in the photo is of the gel coat only - fiberglass is still good. That is the problem with gel coats it can be brittle and fracture like that. I'm going to be putting a 10 mil thick marine epoxy primer over the entire top so that will help some and should address the spider cracks.

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[ginmtb]

I actually ordered the ones that are for 3/16"-1/4" thickness - figure with a washer or two and sealant it will make up for the space.

 

[ginmtb]

Did a dry fit of the top cap and of course the two outer most holes don’t line up. Nothing can be easy.

And purists look away before you scroll down. I’m going with this interior backless carpet for my roof liner. My cruiser isn’t perfectly OEM and I can always remove if I decide to. But it was cheap and matched my seats well.

 

[TheHardWay]

Wait, isn't that the original brace, or did I miss something in a previous post? How could those two holes be so whacked?

 

[ginmtb]

Wait, isn't that the original brace, or did I miss something in a previous post? How could those two holes be so whacked?

Actually I’m using a different top (the one from my 75). It was in much better shape than the original. For the 75 I’m either going soft top or integrated all fiberglass roof/rain gutter. It won’t be difficult to patch the holes and drill new ones just another annoyance.

 

[ginmtb]

Okay top is just about ready for getting that marine coating on it. I plugged the two outer holes for the windshield cap since they didn’t line up. It will be easy to drill two new holes. Unfortunately I should’ve done this earlier in the week since it takes a while for full cure.

I sanded down all the filler, scratches and little dings filled nicely. The marine coating is 10 mils after four coats probably didn’t even need to fill the scratches and dings. Four coats is probably overkill too but since I had to buy a gallon of it might as well.

Bottom side is ready for the Lizard Skins coating too. Excited to finally get that going seems like a I bought that a long time ago...

 

[ginmtb]

Got the lizard skins sprayed on the underside of the roof! Man that stuff was thick, probably should’ve thinned it just a tiny bit. Spraying was challenging at times. Hopefully it sticks...

Was running low so decided to not spray the part that is outside of the windshield.

And got the other side of the windshield cap painted too. I’ve decided to use the epoxy appliance paint on the roof top as it is cheap and easy to touch up.

And got all the rear upper quarter panels done time to install them tomorrow! And then bond the ceiling to the rain gutter woohoo!

 

[ginmtb]

Those little aluminum screws are perfect! Super low profile and will paint nicely. I’ll make sure to caulk under them (and between the windshield cap and roof) - this is just a test fit. My epoxy hole plugs worked perfectly and I drilled out the new holes which were just slightly off.

 

[FJ404345]

Because the holes in the middle of the roof are so little but the thickness of the fiberglass gives some meat to uadhere, to I'm pretty sure it will work out perfect and fast is you fill them with marine grade or plumbers or pool putty.
A two component epoxy putty that will become very hard in a half hour and that you can sand afterwards

 

[TheHardWay]

So, the head of the binding barrel has a hex-shaped hole? the McMaster-Carr diagram doesn't show what it looks like, and there's nothing in the description about it.

 

[ginmtb]

So, the head of the binding barrel has a hex-shaped hole? the McMaster-Carr diagram doesn't show what it looks like, and there's nothing in the description about it.

No it doesn’t - that is the only issue getting them tight. They seem to hold in place and not spin when tightening. I will also loctite them so they don’t come loose. These things are so flat there isn’t enough room for that. The threads in the barrel run the full length.

The heads are so flat (1/16”) that you have to be very careful tightening them. They have wide slots and the aluminum is soft.

@LasCrucer if you want some I can send some your way to try out. Just let me know.

Barrel shot:

 

[TheHardWay]

Sending you a pm.

 

[ginmtb]

Busy day today! Installed the windows on the rear upper quarter (with the weld repairs of the rusted section). Installed all new @Racer65 weatherstrip on the top/tub junction. Installed the header for the hatch and used nice Racer65 repro gaskets between the header and the quarters. Drilled out the fiberglass rain gutter and test fit with another sweet Racer65 top gasket. Got the doors to align much better, driver side is practically perfect. The passenger side is better but something is definitely tweaked. I did move the doors once I broke the PO’s silicone job which locked the hinges in place.

Drilled out rain gutter

Nice door fit! See the rain gutter?

Rear hatchback header

I had hoped to get the top on but no luck there. Might work out better now that I have to wait some I may just install the carpet while it’s off vs. on which looks like it would be pretty tough. Still on schedule for 10/28-29 road trip if it happens...

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

How much Lizardskin did you use?

 

[ginmtb]

How much Lizardskin did you use?

I just bought the one gallon container. The roof is about 35 sq. ft., they suggest one gallon per 25 sq. ft. I had no idea when I bought it figured the one gallon would be plenty. Stuff is super expensive. Between what I have on there and carpet should help a fair amount. Not as much if on the floor and firewall...

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

I had line-x quote mine, $750

I think I’m going the same route minus the carpet. Looking good!!