1970-71 E-Body Convertibles (Manual Top "Catch")

[filmsurgeon]

My fender tag indicates that the car originally had a power top.  During the earlier "restoration" (2003), the prior owner decided to convert to a manual drop-top (don't know why).  Hence, no power top components left.  The following description is from an older ebay listing:
'Hold down clamps' were installed onto ALL 1970-71 E body converts with a manual conv. top. These brackets bolt to the top inner wheel well area. All E conv's have 4 holes there. 2 on each side, power top convertible owners may have wondered what these 4 threaded holes were for upon their discovery.  When your top frame is in its down position, these clamps will hold frame in place - to keep it from springing up while driving. Power top cars did not require these clamps - the hydraulic system prevents the frame from moving back up once its in its full-down position (unless a motor fails or a hydro line bursts.)"
I am considering going back to a power top, but would need ALL the components (i.e. pump, hoses, cylinders, harness/wiring/fuse, hoses, pump brackets and cylinders), and would be looking at a rough total cost of about $1K (gasp!).  I have the "hold down clamps" described in the ebay listing, but the nylon 'catch' on one of them is damaged/worn.  BTW - the Parts Catalog calls the part a "Catch".  Any thoughts/advice on where I can get a good replacement?  Obviously, each one is specific for one side.  Any thoughts/advice on keeping the manual set-up over power conversion.  I know each has its own pros and cons.  BTW - when the listing was on ebay several years ago, the seller was asking $500 for the pair.  They were both in good condition.  I've attached several pictures.  #1 is the ebay seller's photo.  #2 and #3 are photos of my pieces (the close-up showing the damage/wear to the nylon where it catches the frame).  #4 is a page from the Parts Catalog.  #5 is the catch in its proper location (sorry for it being out-of-focus; it's not my photo, or my car).  Thanks.

[wiging19]

 

[filmsurgeon]

Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, advice, or opinions on this?  Thanks.

[wiging19]

It looks like the plastic pieces are riveted onto the metal part.  I'm thinking you could make a mold of the good plastic and make a new part from the mold.  I've seen magazines describe the process and I'm thinking you could do the same in this case.  I seem to remember a person in the forum discussing fixing another part in his car along those lines.   May not be practical for you but something to think about.  I have a friend that does things like that for a living but he makes his money off large production runs of whatever mold he creates.

[filmsurgeon]

It looks like the plastic pieces are riveted onto the metal part.  I'm thinking you could make a mold of the good plastic and make a new part from the mold.  I've seen magazines describe the process and I'm thinking you could do the same in this case.  I seem to remember a person in the forum discussing fixing another part in his car along those lines.   May not be practical for you but something to think about.  I have a friend that does things like that for a living but he makes his money off large production runs of whatever mold he creates.

Thanks for the suggestions.  That was one of my original thoughts a while back.  However, I think I'll have cheaper and faster results if I just buy some nylon stock and shape it myself to match the undamaged piece.  I could use something like a dremel with a variety of grinding and cutting bits along with other hand and small power tools.  Since all I need is one, having a mold made and casting a "one-off" piece would be too expensive.

[filmsurgeon]

Just bought 1 foot of this nylon rectangle bar stock for $25.00 (tax and shipping included).  It's 1-1/2" x 1" (same height and width dimensions as the original molded nylon "catch").  Can't wait for it to arrive so I can start shaping a new piece.  I'll probably make (2) so I have fresh matching material.  Since the length of the "catch" is only 1-3/4", I'll have enough stock for multiple attempts in case I make any shaping mistakes.  I'll post pictures when I'm done.

[71gogreen]

It looks like it can be bandsaw then placed on a drom sander.I bet if you made a special jig you could do it on a router .

[wiging19]

Looking forward to seeing what the end product looks like.

[62BT409]

Had you tried http://www.beaparts.com/online_catalog.asp ?  If anyone would knwo it would be Mike R......or call Dales cuda shop.

[filmsurgeon]

Had you tried http://www.beaparts.com/online_catalog.asp ?  If anyone would knwo it would be Mike R......or call Dales cuda shop.

I've looked everywhere, including BE&A.

[62BT409]

I've looked everywhere, including BE&A.

If you only checked the site.... I myself have found it to be not so user friendly. A phone call to him would be best.

[70 RAG TOP]

I had the same problem years ago, and since they did'nt have repros of this part, I had to improvise.  Since I was not doing a concourse resto. I did not need it to look exactly like the original.  I simply took a strip of metal strap material(similar to the strapping used for hanging plumbing pipe , but much stiffer, about 1/8 to 3/16" thick) cut them to length  then bent the end into a slight hook.  I riveted them to the  original bracket painted them black and they have been fine ever since.   I have enclosed some pictures(maybe not the best  quality)

Mike

[filmsurgeon]

I thought I'd report back for the benefit of sharing my experience with others.  So far, I have received the nylon bar stock (it is actually not as white in color as it appears to be in the pictures; it is more of a "natural" color, which is closer to the 40 year old part); drilled out the 1/8" rivets to separate the nylon "catch" from the spring steel leg; traced the profile of the catch to the new stock.  Next will be to start cutting and shaping.  I'll continue to take photos to illustrate the process, and post as progress is made.  I hope all goes well.  Enjoy, and thanks for all the feedback.

[wiging19]

Looking good.  I'm thinking the hardest part will be creating the thumb indentation for releasing the peice like the original had.  Is the left side different from the right or just reversing the first cut all you need to do?

[filmsurgeon]

Looking good.  I'm thinking the hardest part will be creating the thumb indentation for releasing the peice like the original had.  Is the left side different from the right or just reversing the first cut all you need to do?

The nylon catch is the exact same for both sides.  So, I don't need to reverse anything.