I fixed the problem with the header bow not fitting correctly to the windsheild.....I bought a new bow from VS and it fits likee a glove
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I fixed the problem with the header bow not fitting correctly to the windsheild.....I bought a new bow from VS and it fits likee a glove
Arlin
Bet you had an old CMC header? Some I have come upon wouldn't even fit down onto the windshield frame, yes the VS fits perfectly!....Alan
Bet you had an old CMC header? Some I have come upon wouldn't even fit down onto the windshield frame, yes the VS fits perfectly!....Alan
Alan,
Other than stuffing more rubber weatherstripping between the header bow and the windshield frame were you able to modify the bow to fit?
Other than stuffing more rubber weatherstripping between the header bow and the windshield frame were you able to modify the bow to fit?
Bruce,
The VS header bow was loose on the windshield frame, what I did was run to Home Depot and get some single sided "sticky" pipe insulation wrap (it is a black foam) I then put a double layer on the inside of the windshield bow,clamped it with the bow fasteners clips to the windshield frame and let it sit for a day , that allowed for it to find it's own "set" against the windshield frame andwas water tight to boot!.........Alan
The VS header bow was loose on the windshield frame, what I did was run to Home Depot and get some single sided "sticky" pipe insulation wrap (it is a black foam) I then put a double layer on the inside of the windshield bow,clamped it with the bow fasteners clips to the windshield frame and let it sit for a day , that allowed for it to find it's own "set" against the windshield frame andwas water tight to boot!.........Alan
Mine is a CMC and the bow is high in the middle and tight on the ends. I have been thinking about using a Dremel or something to trim down the ends so the middle fits tighter. Someone else was debating this same problem on this site a few months ago, I'm wondering if he ever resolved the problem and wants to share his solution....
Bruce: That was me scurrying to get the top on for the winery run.
The dremel idea didn't cut it so I had to resort to using my drill press
like a milling machine. I used a drill bit that fit down in the groove
and started from the center out drilling away material to a preset depth.
I also had to cut in small "ramps" for the latches to get the proper angle for them to catch the windscreen frame. I then used Alans trick with the foam to get a better seal. When it gets nicer out, I'm gonna
remove the foam, mix some resin, smooth out the uneven drill marks, and reapply the foam as it leaks air just a tad. Had I more time then, I think I would have sent for a VS part as this was a dirty pain in the butt job, but it worked. My brother in law and myself spent a Sunday afternoon getting this to work.
BD
The dremel idea didn't cut it so I had to resort to using my drill press
like a milling machine. I used a drill bit that fit down in the groove
and started from the center out drilling away material to a preset depth.
I also had to cut in small "ramps" for the latches to get the proper angle for them to catch the windscreen frame. I then used Alans trick with the foam to get a better seal. When it gets nicer out, I'm gonna
remove the foam, mix some resin, smooth out the uneven drill marks, and reapply the foam as it leaks air just a tad. Had I more time then, I think I would have sent for a VS part as this was a dirty pain in the butt job, but it worked. My brother in law and myself spent a Sunday afternoon getting this to work.
BD
Bill,
Thanks. I remember the issue but couldn't remember if a fix was posted. Any surprises when you drilled into the material? Was it the same all the way through or did you hit some sort of internal bracing? What did you use to glue the vinyl top to the bow?
Thanks. I remember the issue but couldn't remember if a fix was posted. Any surprises when you drilled into the material? Was it the same all the way through or did you hit some sort of internal bracing? What did you use to glue the vinyl top to the bow?
Bruce
The CMC bow is made up a rather strange material that looks like rice paper with some type of epoxy or resin coating on the outer surface ...It's like nothing I have even seen. The material the bow is made of is brittle and will snap under pressure. I One one car years ago I attempted to reduce the radius of the CMC bow as it was too "wide" to fit a VS windshield frame , to do so , I cut slices 1/3 of the way through the bow approx 5/8" apart and it broke. So much for my engineering! I posted on the old group that was in dire need of a bow for Carlisle and to my amazement ...Two were sent by SOC members for my use ...Hell, they didn't know me from Adam but what a great gesture that was!
I was able to get the top on the car and did sell the Speedster that year at Carlisle!
BTW...The Vintage bow is made of a better material, has the clip mounting holes recessed into the bow and does fit well onto the CMC windshield frame.
Alan
The CMC bow is made up a rather strange material that looks like rice paper with some type of epoxy or resin coating on the outer surface ...It's like nothing I have even seen. The material the bow is made of is brittle and will snap under pressure. I One one car years ago I attempted to reduce the radius of the CMC bow as it was too "wide" to fit a VS windshield frame , to do so , I cut slices 1/3 of the way through the bow approx 5/8" apart and it broke. So much for my engineering! I posted on the old group that was in dire need of a bow for Carlisle and to my amazement ...Two were sent by SOC members for my use ...Hell, they didn't know me from Adam but what a great gesture that was!
I was able to get the top on the car and did sell the Speedster that year at Carlisle!
BTW...The Vintage bow is made of a better material, has the clip mounting holes recessed into the bow and does fit well onto the CMC windshield frame.
Alan
My solution to fitting my CMC header to the windshield frame was to cut it into about equal thirds, fit the pieces to the frame, and 'glass it back together while mounted on the frame. Used a few layers of plastic food wrap over the windshield frame for protection, and routed channels to accept 8" long X 3/8" steel square tube to reinforce the seams. Finished with plastic filler & epxoy primed. With a single weatherstrip mounted inside the header, it has never leaked in 15 years.
I set the depth at about1/4" and worked out from the center to about where the latches go. The header just seemed to be a solid hunk of layed fiberglass. The stuff is hard and I had the shop vac handy as I made my cuts across the slot. I made many trips to the car to check fit as I went. Having the brother in law there as a helper was a great help. He
steadied the bow as I made cuts and handled the shop vac also. It looked rough when I was done and it's hard to get anything in the slot say to file it even. I'm going to smooth it out with some fresh resin and new
weather stripping. I also have to finish the inside with "pleather".
I used good old contact cement to glue the top to the bow. I used wooden
yard sticks and C-clamps and let it set overnight.I think the most important thing is to glue both surfaces and let it tack up before joining both together.
BD
steadied the bow as I made cuts and handled the shop vac also. It looked rough when I was done and it's hard to get anything in the slot say to file it even. I'm going to smooth it out with some fresh resin and new
weather stripping. I also have to finish the inside with "pleather".
I used good old contact cement to glue the top to the bow. I used wooden
yard sticks and C-clamps and let it set overnight.I think the most important thing is to glue both surfaces and let it tack up before joining both together.
BD
Alan, I must have had an early bow cause like Bruce was saying it was high in the middle and low on the ends.....wouldnt even come close, I ordered a new one and it fit like a glove.. But the hold down clips are not the same I need to order those as well. I was thinking I could just reuse the old ones but the new bow has the clips that are on an angle mounting rather than what was ont the old bow.so once I order the new clips and have my new stay fast top sewn I thik it will be a snap