t top problem
 

i have a 1989 camaro rs with t tops and it leaks so bad. there are literally puddles in the floor pans right now. seats soaked all the way through. all from the past storm. i just had the t top rails cleaned and replaced the seals with brand new classic industries oe seals (BIG $$) and they still leak. my dad said that maybe the body was twisted or warped in a certain way from all the torque from the engine. i need your input on this. what have i not done to stop the rain from coming in???

T tops always leak. Replaced all the seals with new SoftSeal on my daughters 86 Z-28 years ago and nothing changed Good luck

did you change the seals on the ttops themselves?

also remove the ttop t-panel on the roof between the tops. check for rust under there and seal where all those screw holes are

did all of it. took off t top center bar and everything. also replaced all of the seals in the t top.

there are adjustments and shims at the latch points, try adjusting them to pull the tops down more

also, get in car, wear a poncho if ur a sissy and have someone drench the car with a hose or set up a sprinkler, take it from there

ok idk its already latching down real snug. u gotta push down on it a bit in order to latch it

then id look at the seal gaps closer

a little investigation will lead you to the problem

ok and just to make sure. im suppose to put a bead of seal silicone or whatever its called under the t top seals right?

weatherstripping adhesive in small quantities, put on both sides, let dry, install.
its like contact cement

ok.

I may have a lil booklet to help you out here. There is a way to literally adjust the T tops themselves. I'll have to find the file.

I found it. From GM themselves. Its a PDF File. However, it may be too big to attach to a post here. If you have an email address I could send it to you that way. Its a 50 page long read. And I've been told its a major help. Having read it from time to time myself, I think if you can't fix a leak with this manual...you did something wrong lol. << Goes for myself as well when I finish my 84.

Forget the email... The link I used to get the PDF file still worked on the early third gen site that I'm part of for Firebirds. Here is the link. It links you straight to the PDF document and you can save the whole 50 page thing to your computer like I did. If the link doesn't work let me know and I can email you the file if you give me an address to send it to.

http://www.kt-s.net/media/T-Top%20Wa...k%20Manual.pdf

They make paints that will show the path of the water. Basically follow the washed away areas.

find OE gaskets. they will cost you. aftermarket ones not so good

they are oe. just paid close to 300 for them

I went through a waterleak/windnoise class a while ago and they had some good test methods.

Not sure how well this would work on a 3rd gen but one method was to seal the body vents and pressurize the interior using the blower motor. mix water and your usual car soap or something that will make a lot a suds and go over the suspected area. Any spot where water was leaking in will allow the pressurized air to come out and cause bubbles.

Another way to diagnose weatherstrips is to coat them with baby powder or talcum powder. Reinstall the t-top then check for spots where the powder did not transfer. If there is a low spot or weak spot in the weatherstrip the powder should not be disturbed at all.

When I installed my new t-top seals I had to readjust the t-top glass. Where your lock mechanism engages to the body you can loosen them and move them up or down.

By OE I think he meant seals made by GM. From what I remeber the t-top weatherstrips were discontinued shortly after i replaced mine about 5-6 years ago. The only thing you can get now is aftermarket/reproduction.

You have to find where the water is intruding..it could be running down the a/pillar and coming in by the kickpanel..don't rule out other areas or the front windshield seal itself...test while dry w/a garden hose but i normally always use a car cover (breathable) and when it rains use a tarp for the preventative aspect in the old bird.

thats exactly whats happening that and just coming straight down from that region

Hey Chris thats a great manual. A lot of good info in there

Thanks Mike, a guy in a different forum uploaded it after saying he had it and I asked if he could upload it. Anyone with a T-top car should have that manual. A ton of info in there that is not in the fisher body manual.

ok think i may hav fxed it. another problem popped up though. heater core is going

Oooh that is a fun job, loads of fun. It went on my GTA after I met you at the chatterbox that one night. If you need a hand or some tips I will be happy to help you there. I did the one on the GTA and the one on the 84 I am building up. (the one in the 84 exploded spectacularly at the fair 3 years ago.)

a heater core is not that difficult to do. The dashes pop out quite easily, and then you just kinda lay it off to the side. lol. I did the heater core in my one old GTA in like 45 min.

I pull the dash pad and the passenger side speaker, and the plastic panels under the dash. I leave the dash in place and use extensions to get the bolts that are deep in the heater box. Even looking for tools I did the GTA (lessons learned from the 84's job) in an hour or so. I agree not hard, just a pain in the ass really.

Take the passenger seat out, IMO that helps a lot. Then you can sit on the floor without contorting your body to get under the dash.

t tops still leak just as bad! so pissed off