Roadster top installation help

[Lona]

This has likely been covered before but I can't find it doing a search.

Just received a new LeBaron Bonney top for our '31 Deluxe roadster. Before tearing off the old top, I want to make sure the installation goes correctly. The old top rear window when folded down rests on the four button supports mounted on the rear deck. These supports measure 4 7/8" x 14" on center while the window frame is 7" x 16 1/2". This means the glass itself and not the window frame rests on the supports. With the rest of the top folded down, the entire weight of the top rests on the glass and not the frame. Is this the way it's supposed to be?

Can anyone describe how the top should be lowered to ensure it lays flat enough to get a boot on it and to prevent the possibility of the glass breaking?

Also, the new top came with a triangular pad which mounts on the inside of the window flap. What is this used for? The old top did not have this pad.

I'd appreciate advice from anyone who has installed one of these LB tops before.

Glen

 

[Bob C]

Don't you have top rests for the top to sit on?

Bob

 

[Lona]

Bob,
Yes, I have the rests but the old top does not fold down quite far enough to rest on them. Not sure if the problem is the steel top mechanism or if the old top was not attached to the bows correctly. I'm in the process of removing the old fabric and will be able to better see why it doesn't rest on the supports when the old top is stripped. Is the folded top supposed to rest on these supports? If so, then there would be no weight on the glass.

Glen

 

[Lona]

Bob,
Yes, I have the rests but the old top does not fold down quite far enough to rest on them. Not sure if the problem is the steel top mechanism or if the old top was not attached to the bows correctly. I'm in the process of removing the old fabric and will be able to better see why it doesn't rest on the supports when the old top is stripped. Is the folded top supposed to rest on these supports? If so, then there would be no weight on the glass.

Glen

 

[Marco Tahtaras]

There really isn't any concern about glass breakage on these. The rubbers were really put there to help protect the paint. The original glass (and frames) were quite thin and light weight. If you ordered new from LB, the frames used to be thick with very heavy 1/4" glass. I don't know if they've improved things in recent years.

 

[Lona]

Marco,
Thanks for your photos and explanation on the triangular tab. The Ford write-up was a little confusing and I had to read it several times before understanding it. I had already torn off the rear window panel but replaced it to actually see how the tab worked. It allows the frame of the rear window to sit on top of the belt rail and not rest on the four deck support buttons at all.

Appreciate your input.

Glen