hey, its monsoon season here in the pacific NW, and I happened to put my hand behind the seat (looking for a can of red bull, if you must know) and there is like a major swimming pool action going on back there (both sides of the car). Any answers? I have ideas, like the rips in the top on the sides behind the windows, and the torn out top at the top of the rear glass, but it doesnt seem to be trickling down from those spots. Guess I'll put it away til it dries out....
oh 88 vert, semi bad top (I've seen worse)... maybe i should just drill a drain hole...

 

Try clearing the drain tubes in the outside pockets where the top folds (and rips) they are supposed to drain under the car but if clogged may be draining on your floor.

 

yeah my side seals are bad so I get the drips while driving. I heard that ATF will make the rubber seals expand and stop this. I have not got around to trying it yet. Also i leave my car under a water proof car cover. 30 bucks at pepboys and it goes on and off in seconds. I also use the metal cable underneath to keep it on in rain storms. Invest in the cover

 

whats ATF ?

 

Automatic Transmission Fluid.

 

I though ATF would turn rubber to goo-

I would say clear the drain tubes, then hit up www.victoriabritish.com for some new seals.
At least that's what I'm gonna do after I replace the top (going w/ the german cloth this time!)

I am just plain tired of putting garbage bags on the seats if I think it's gonna rain overnight...

 

yeah like I said I would strongly suggest you start using a car cover at night and while not driving. I have some serious floor rust damage to replace. I will end up just cutting all the floor boards out and replacing them with weld in inserts.

 

nice to see other vert owners.

 

I just got a new cloth top for my 88 from AA Best. Not installed yet, but the price was great and others on the forum seem to like this company.

 

Just so you guys know, Wurth makes a good product called Door Seal Renew. Its good stuff and it works. It not only makes the stuff expand, it fills cracks and rips. Look into it .

 

That sounds great, I should look into that
Found some links:

Product info: http://www.autogeek.net/w890110.html
Product Reference: http://autopia.org/kb/templates/defa...php?id=34&c=21

Called Wurth Rubber Care.

Is this the product you were reffering to?

 

thanks to all you vert owners for the advice. i suppose the car is dry now, I guess I'll run up and check it (under the fan for 48hrs).

I need to replace my top, and I think that I'll explore going cloth instead of vinyl. The fc3 forum makes this sound like replacing the top your self is not a big job- any comments? I have an contact who had their entire top (targa/top/iinterior) replaced with a new vinyl(or whatever it is) for about $700. good deal or not?

Most places that sell car covers make a big deal of their covers "not" being water proof so that they can breathe and you dont get damage from condensation under the cover. bs or no?

I think the snow has hit here for the duration, so I have a few months to work on the car, time to drive the dakota!

 

Here's where I and other forum members have gotten their tops. Great prices:

http://aabestco.com

 

trying to install your new top is a no-no.

 

hate to thread jack but any one got any tips for installing a top and what else am i going to nees like selents or stuff like selents

 

The FSM has very detailed instructions on the procedure. It looks pretty involved and difficult to me.

Take a look here:

http://www.torquecentral.com/showthr...threadid=11000

 

I just got my 'vert ready for sale (see below if you want to buy it! ) and put a new top on as the old one was WAY tired, holes torn, etc.

Guys, I've worked on at least 60 RX-7's over the past 8 or so years. I've built at least 20 engines, gone through a number of parts cars, done suspension work, tons of wiring...there's very little I can't do on an RX-7. The top on the convertible kicked my ***. I got the old top off fine, but I had NO luck installing the new one.

You need a whole different set of knowledge to install a top - it's all upholstery work. Biggest problem is the AABest top has NO holes in it, so you have to punch all the holes for the fasteners to attach it. Get the hole off by a few millimeters, and guess what? Big old sags and wrinkles in your top and it looks like crap.

Fortunately I stopped before I started cutting holes. I took the 'vert to a local trim shop and had them install it. They did all the installation, but I put all the interior, headliner, etc. back together. My bill was $250 - VERY much worth it.

The guy at the trim shop also told me he was NOT impressed with the AA Best top. I can tell too - it looks decent, but the fit isn't 100%.

I think the Mazda top might be easier to install (pre-punched holes, etc.) and guaranteed good fit, but good lord they want a FORTUNE for those tops.

My advice? Have a pro do it. Or just buy my 'vert and get one that comes with a new top already .

Dale

 

lol already have a vert wouldn’t mind a second one but I’m a poor college student and the places around here want about 500 to in stall a top or 600 to do the back with there top and an extra 300 to do the targ and that’s ridicules 300 for the targ I could see maybe 100 for the targ because its just cloth over metal 900 is just way to much so i'm going to learn how to do it my self

 

thanks for the install thread. looks like too much pita work for me. I'm at the point in my life where the projects that used to look like fun (eg:no bucks) are looking more like -sheeit-just pay the guy.
the prob with that is I expect a certain quality of work, and ya dont always get what ya pay for!!