67 Firebird Convertible questions

[D Bergy]

Hello.

I recently bought a half done project car which is a 1967 Firebird convertible. The previous owner did not know a lot about the cars history, and when I bought it he told me it had a manual convertible top.

I am currently stripping the car for body work and paint. When I removed the back seat and side panels in the rear of the car I found what looks to be a air tank or compressor of some sort, and rams that I assume would put the top up automatically. I looked closer at the dash panel and found a spring loaded toggle switch that must have been for moving the top up and down.

My question is whether there is some kind of information out there on how to service the mechanisms that drive that top. I am sure it quit working at some point so the whole thing was disabled in the past. Pretty sure it hasn't moved in a looong time. The previous owner bought it in 2004 and was not aware of the drive unit and it likely did not work for years before that. So it is likely I need to go through everything on it.

Thanks for any info you may have.

Dan

 

[melsg5]

If you intend to keep the car buy a copy of the 1967 Factory Service manual either hard copy or CD. Try www.amesperf.com for the manual. You can get copies of original window stickers and other information from www.phs-online.com

 

[D Bergy]

Thanks, that is something I would want anyway. Great tip.

Dan

 

[cammerjeff]

Welcome, I also own a 1st Gen Bird but a 69 Coupe.

As for the top I would 1st disconnect the Motor/hydrolic pump and move the top by hand lube all the pivit points with the factory recommended lube. If it hasn't moved in a long time you never know what might have seized or rusted into its set position. After that I would tackle the Pump.

I haven't owned a convertible with a power top in many years, the last one I had was my 63 Bonneville. The previous owner had just manually raised and lowered the top for over 10 years. (you may be able to do that on your 67 bird as well) I replaced the Electric Hydrolic pump, and had to bleed the system. It took me a few Bleeding attempts to get all the air out of the system But I eventually was able to get it working. But I did replace the Cylinder and all the Lines as I didn't want to do the job multiple times.

Good Luck with it and post some pictures when you get a chance.

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[D Bergy]

The top does move freely when moving it by hand. Apparently, someone has disconnected it in the past. It won't be the first thing I tackle just because there are lots of things that need attention, but I can gather information in the mean time.

Need to finish stripping it then off to the body shop.

I cannot upload images to the site. I would guess it takes a few posts before it's allowed. Some sites are like that.

I bet you wished you still had the Bonneville. Now that's the ultimate cruiser.

Dan

 

[melsg5]

you are not restricted as far as loading images, below is the link with instructions

https://pontiacforum.com/pontiac/faq.php?faq=vb3_reading_posting#faq_vb3_attachments

 

[D Bergy]

I don't have anything available to attach files. I use this V-Bulletin format on other forums, so I am familiar on how to do it, but the methods are deactivated. The paperclip drop down box does nothing. There is no button that is labeled "manage attachments" I am not using quick reply.

When this happened on another site, the problem was some kind of incompatibility with some browsers if I remember correctly.

Dan

 

[D Bergy]

Now, when I use Mozilla Firefox I can upload files. The site does not work for file uploads using Internet explorer.

Anyway, this is my project before I started stripping it. I pretty much just have the gas tank and exhaust system to remove now.


Dan

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