--- In mgcarclub@yahoogroups.com, "daventrydad" <daventrydad@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi Everyone:
>
> Just bought a '79 B and am about to replace top. Haven't done that
> before, so any "tips" you have will be appreciated. Have bought new
> posts for the snaps and plan to install them this weekend before top
> replacement. Live in North Little Rock, AR area, but best friend
> lives in Parma (but he likes 'vettes! Go figure!)
>
> Also plan to replace dash "surround" so any tips there too will be
> appreciated.
>
> Tom Houston
>
haven't done one of these in ages. late 80s when i worked at a british
only garage i would guess.

first you need a real warm sunny day. cold or overcast don't cut it.
hope you're using old holes for new posts. remove old top from header
rail (i usually just cut it off). slide the rear anchor out of the old
top and into the new one. the tops we installed already had snaps/hooks
installed from the maker. if not i would guess that the next step would
be to mark and install those with the top frame up and rear anchor in
their hooks. with the rear attached to the car and the frame still up
windows down header rail attached to winshield frame rear bar back
gently strech top over windshield until just taught with one hand. with
some marking chalk (fabric store is a good source) mark the forward edge
of the header rail and also make a mark the inside the top to the header
rail if you feel the top is also centered. some tops came with a chalk
line already-this should be close (most were dead on) if not within 1/2"
look for problems. remove top from rear.fold down frame. remove header
rail seal and holder. with all your chalk lines matching up(inside and
out) screw the seal holder into the header rail sandwhiching the top.
cut excess top material leaving about 3/4"or more extra beyond seal
holder. replace seal.

this next part is what seperates the idiots from the pros. put the top
up without clamping the header rail to the windshield. make sure car is
in direct sunlight(not in a garage). go to lunch for an hour. with rear
bar forward clamp header to windshield. gently push rear bar back (do
not force bar). if too tight header rail will need a rethink (might need
to use that 3/4"+) old screw holes probably won't show because theres
quite a lip there. if rear bar goes back and all seams ok take a trigger
bottle of water and douse the inside (that's right-not the outside) of
the top. get the fabric side sopping wet. leave the car in the sun the
rest of the day/until inside of top is dry. do not forget to follow
factory top folding instructions. most tops i did had the quarter
windows ripped up-a sure sign of improper top folding.

if all this seems like too much sometimes a call to the local auto
upholstry shop might might not be out of order. they also insure their
work. my old boss had a rush job on a midget (similar to mgb) but it was
cold and overcast outside. i refused to do this kind of shoddy work. he
installed it anyhow. three days later the midget owner came back with
the windshield cracked in 3 places. he paid glass shop bill.

surrounds are just a pain. no trick there. just order extra nuts
beforehand. i see those 5/16" fine thread nuts that will be falling into
oblivion in your future.

much luck dave