Top Install Question

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davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Top Install Question

Post by davery »

I am installing a new top on an 85 and have a quick question. On the front bow there appears to be a 1/8 inch peice of foam the runs along the front. It is glued down and has come up in parts. Does this need to come off? If so, is there something I need to put back down in place of this? The front bow seems pretty sharp along the edge that comes into contact with the top.
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Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
BEEK
Posts: 1833
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: Top Install Question

Post by BEEK »

try and keep that piece intact, light gluing will help, it does show thru the finished product. you can replace it or repair it,
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Re: Top Install Question

Post by davery »

BEEK wrote:try and keep that piece intact, light gluing will help, it does show thru the finished product. you can replace it or repair it,

Thanks. If I was going to replace it, is there anything I can pick up locally to use?
Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Re: Top Install Question

Post by davery »

The front top seal ripped in two when I took it off. I have seen OEM replacements and they seem to be pretty expensive. Has anyone used anything else?
Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
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124JOE
Posts: 3141
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:11 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: Top Install Question

Post by 124JOE »

go for new YOU WILL be happier in the end
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
BEEK
Posts: 1833
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: Top Install Question

Post by BEEK »

davery wrote:The front top seal ripped in two when I took it off. I have seen OEM replacements and they seem to be pretty expensive. Has anyone used anything else?
agreed on the weatherstrip at the windshield.. new is the only way... but this is not what he is talking about. its a piece of foam, 75% of the time it has deteriorated and is gone.
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
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