Need Help with top latches

[dragracer]

Sorry about the double posting but i really need some assistance. I put this topic in Cosmetics as well.

Hello,
I ran into a problem when transfering hardware from my old rusty front bow to a good one i bought from a member on this site. It seems the spacing on the bolt holes for the top latches are different. I have a 79' CS2 and the spacing of the holes on the latches is about 30mm. I measured the spacing on the holes of the new(used) bow and they measure about 40mm. Both bows look the same otherwise. Theres no way i can use my old latches with the spacing of the holes on the new bow. There really isn't room to drill more holes and retap the bow for my old latches.

The question is, does anyone know if Fiat changed the spacing of the latch holes on models beyond 1979??????? If so, does anyone have a set of the wider spaced latches for sale on this site. I'm very much in limbo right now. I've got my new top ready to be installed but there's no reason to proceed any futher if i've got a problem with fitting latches to the bow.

Please chime in and offer any insight that i can use to correct this problem.

Thanks in advance.

[ITA124]

I know Fiat changed their windscreen around that time. So the frame and possibly the mounting locations where altered as well.

I say this because I have a 79 spider and broke the windscreen. I got a new one and found the curvature to be different. It all bolted up, but the gap between the screen and dash varied (Bigger in the centre, tighter at the edges). Also it doesn't sit in the lower channel properly. It sits in the frame is OK though.

[pope]

79 was that magical year when Fiat went from CS1 to CS2. You could have a 79 and could have either version as the change happened during the year. The bow front on the top changed and the latches went from 30mm to 40 mm. The earlier version bow had points in the corners and the later bow was rounded. The glass stayed the same for all years.

[dragracer]

I know Fiat changed their windscreen around that time. So the frame and possibly the mounting locations where altered as well.

I say this because I have a 79 spider and broke the windscreen. I got a new one and found the curvature to be different. It all bolted up, but the gap between the screen and dash varied (Bigger in the centre, tighter at the edges). Also it doesn't sit in the lower channel properly. It sits in the frame is OK though.

Hmm, thanks for the insight. AS i recall, the used bow i bought came from an 82 Spider. Although my Vin# does have CS2 in rhe sequence, i'm sure there's a chance something is amiss. The bows look identical with the exception of the latch bolt spacing that i didn't catch until tonight.


Hopefully someone can chime in and help me out of this mess. I would like to think the solution is as simple as getting latches from a later model car. If not, i will have to drill and tap new holes somehow.

[dragracer]

79 was that magical year when Fiat went from CS1 to CS2. You could have a 79 and could have either version as the change happened during the year. The bow front on the top changed and the latches went from 30mm to 40 mm. The earlier version bow had points in the corners and the later bow was rounded. The glass stayed the same for all years.

That bit of info does help. In your opinion, do you think latches from a later model will work on thisw bow and still close against the catches on my windsheild?

[pope]

See if someone will sell you 40mm latches. You have to make sure that the latches once installed will line up with the pin holders on the windshield though. I hate messin with different year parts that changed.

[dragracer]

See if someone will sell you 40mm latches. You have to make sure that the latches once installed will line up with the pin holders on the windshield though. I hate messin with different year parts that changed.

Yeap, this year was a transition. Just my luck to have a car that can't make up its mind what it wants to be- lol.

The pin holders(catches) being compatible was on my mind already. Hopefully this won't be a problem. I was looking at IAP's part numbers on front bows and latches. It seems that the 79 did carry 30mm latches and later models had 40mm. Funny that from 79 on they list the same part number for the bow. You would think the holes on the bows wouldn't be interchangeble though. No luck on fiding a part number on the catches for the windeshield to compare the two.

[ITA124]

The glass stayed the same for all years

Is this true? because all I changed was the glass and the curve at the base was different. ie earlier models had a flatter curve than later models. This is why the dash profile of my early model had a bigger gap in the centre. This was confirmed with a friend who also has an early model spider (original screen) and fitted a late model dash. He found that the gap near the screen in the centre was closed and opened toward the edges. ie opposite to my situation.