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My 69 is a manual top frame, are there any differences between the manual top frame and the power top frame, I was told that one of the frame parts need to be changed out in order to accept the power top cylinders. I have the pump, hoses, cylinders wiring and switch, just need to know if I need to change out something on the frame.
Thanks
Zak
Zak
1969 Firebird Convertible 400
1982 Trans Am
1964 Understanding Long Term Domestic Partner
2 Cats
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there is....I have a pic in an email send me an email , I can send you the pic my email bsefeldt@mhinc.com but I`ll be gone this afternoon until sat morning...if you send it next a few hrs I can handle it before...
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The whole frame is the same. The difference is between the manual top lift assembly and the power top lift assembly.
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Yep, the only difference is springs vs. rams (cylinders) etc.
Tom '69 Firebird 400 4spd conv  
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the pic I have shows frame differences
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The one part of the lift assembly can be considered framework. It's not part of the top frame assembly though. There is only one kind of top assembly.
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yes, its at least a piece of steel, maybe 2" long? connecting the "elbow" to the joint of the moving parts, whatever they are called..not sure how I can copy the email pic over somewhere so I can post it from my pics...
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How about this one from the manual; 
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The middle and rear side rails are quite different. You cannot substitute hydraulic rams for helper springs and have a power top. Didn't we just have this discussion a month ago?
Last edited by Hammered; 10/04/07 04:41 PM.
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I cant see the red x picture
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The middle and rear side rails are quite different. You cannot substitute hydraulic rams for helper springs and have a power top. Didn't we just have this discussion a month ago? I think we did , and I have yet to look at mine ,( top down ,boot on...)to see which I have...mine came manual from factory , but had motor , hoses hydraulics when I bought it , plus a bent rail the we welded/straightened/fixed...it COULD be the reason it got bent , if the manual top pieces didnt get changed out? I use it manually anyway , faster...
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I haven't owned a manual top car so I haven't seen one. It does look like I could swap these manual parts right in for my power ones.
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Who needs a power top anyhow, 
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The middle and rear side rails are quite different. You cannot substitute hydraulic rams for helper springs and have a power top. Didn't we just have this discussion a month ago? I did a search and can not find this topic, anyone know where it is
Zak
1969 Firebird Convertible 400
1982 Trans Am
1964 Understanding Long Term Domestic Partner
2 Cats
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sent you pics..hope they show you the difference!
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Power tops are for sissies
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Power tops are for sissies Chick's dig em' though.
68' Firebird 400 convertible, numbers matching, solar red w/ deluxe parchment interior. 66' Pontiac Ventura Hardtop 66' Pontiac Catalina Convertible
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Here are Bjorn's comparison pictures; 
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Power tops are for sissies That's fight talk around here  I speak from experience when I say that you'll bend the p!$ out of those manual rails if you merely substitute hydraulic cylinders for the helper springs.
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Power tops are for sissies Admit it. You're just jealous. 
Jim
'68 400HO Conv.
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Power tops are for sissies That's fight talk around here I speak from experience when I say that you'll bend the p!$ out of those manual rails if you merely substitute hydraulic cylinders for the helper springs. It must be a leverage thing.
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From the pics it looks like a lot of stuff is different, The rail bends in a different direction also. So should I fork out the $800 for the power top frame or just replace the rail pieces I see in the pics.
Power tops are also for old fat people too!
I want a power top
Zak
Zak
1969 Firebird Convertible 400
1982 Trans Am
1964 Understanding Long Term Domestic Partner
2 Cats
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I second that opinion that a power top manually moved up/down will eventually fatigue the top connection points. It's true, it will evenually happen unless you get in the middle of the car to put the top up/down evenly.
1969 Firebird conv't A/C 400 4-Speed
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Power tops are also for old fat people too!
I want a power top
Zak Then you will want power windows too, AC, tilt, cruise....
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Already got them, and keyless entry, Cruise hummm, I need that too
Thanks Everyone
More ?s to come
Zak
Zak
1969 Firebird Convertible 400
1982 Trans Am
1964 Understanding Long Term Domestic Partner
2 Cats
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After I got my bird home I spent a long time looking for the top switch. Never found it.
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Power tops are for sissies Sure is nice to be sittin' at a traffic light thinkin, I should put the top down. Release it from the windshield frame and push the button. The light turns green and your topless. 
Tom '69 Firebird 400 4spd conv
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Exactly! And being able to put the windows all down without twisting all around like a Chinese firedrill is priceless too.
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I admit, I do have power top cylinder envy. I console myself by remembering that I don't have to maintain the equipment. And the top goes up even when the battery is dead.
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Dead battery? Shame shame. What good is a Bird with a dead battery anyway? Sit in there with the manual top down buzzing your lips like it's running? LOL 
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Dead battery? Shame shame. What good is a Bird with a dead battery anyway? Sit in there with the manual top down buzzing your lips like it's running? LOL Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Tom '69 Firebird 400 4spd conv
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Keep practicing and you might be the next Louis Armstrong!
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Power tops are for sissies Sure is nice to be sittin' at a traffic light thinkin, I should put the top down. Release it from the windshield frame and push the button. The light turns green and your topless. You must have lots slower stop lights up there....the tops I`ve seen dont go up or down that fast....I`d like to see someone drive away with it half way up or down! lol I get out ,pull it down (even pull the boot off...riiip) faster manually than any power top....I`ve practiced alot in quick rain showers! On my old Fiat I had in 67 (also manual) I would slow down , do it while driving...until ONE DAY, when I had too much speed , almost yanked my arms off! lol
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You must have lots slower stop lights up there....the tops I`ve seen dont go up or down that fast....I`d like to see someone drive away with it half way up or down! lol
I get out ,pull it down (even pull the boot off...riiip) faster manually than any power top....I`ve practiced alot in quick rain showers!
On my old Fiat I had in 67 (also manual) I would slow down , do it while driving...until ONE DAY, when I had too much speed , almost yanked my arms off! lol Ya gota time it right Bjorn. I think your the only person besides my older sister who will admit they owned a Fiat.  Her 128 rusted away quickly living in Rochester, NY.
Tom '69 Firebird 400 4spd conv
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I can the top down and the windows most of the way down at a light without any problem. I can't believe the lights in Houston are any shorter and besides Bjorn, how would you really know? You've never had an operable power top on your car.
I've owned a 128, 131 and Strada. I aspired to owning an X-19, but fortunately never had the opportunity. They all seemed designed to catch on fire, and once on fire burn thoroughly.
Last edited by Hammered; 10/06/07 12:19 PM.
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I can the top down and the windows most of the way down at a light without any problem. I can't believe the lights in Houston are any shorter and besides Bjorn, how would you really know? You've never had an operable power top on your car.
I've owned a 128, 131 and Strada. I aspired to owning an X-19, but fortunately never had the opportunity. They all seemed designed to catch on fire, and once on fire burn thoroughly. LOL, my buddies with power tops , Andy and Paul...when we are out and get caught in rain ,my top is down first...theirs are still "going and going"...lol and my Fiat was a 1500 convertible, 1965 model.....only problem I had with it was the starter and generator kept falling off , both fell off twice during my 2 yrs of ownership...about 40k miles...drove it all over Europe , on German Autobahn , topped out 120...loved that car...
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You must have lots slower stop lights up there....the tops I`ve seen dont go up or down that fast....I`d like to see someone drive away with it half way up or down! lol
I get out ,pull it down (even pull the boot off...riiip) faster manually than any power top....I`ve practiced alot in quick rain showers!
On my old Fiat I had in 67 (also manual) I would slow down , do it while driving...until ONE DAY, when I had too much speed , almost yanked my arms off! lol Ya gota time it right Bjorn. I think your the only person besides my older sister who will admit they owned a Fiat. Her 128 rusted away quickly living in Rochester, NY. time is time...lol...mine goes down so much faster than my friends, while they are holding the button..... I had mine in Stockholm, Sweden 2 winters, and we had salt also, but the car was only 1 yr old when I got it and I kept it very clean....no rust when I sold it 3 yrs old.
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...They all seemed designed to catch on fire, and once on fire burn thoroughly. Italian planned obsolescence. 
Tom '69 Firebird 400 4spd conv
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Fiat stands for; Fix It Again Tony
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...They all seemed designed to catch on fire, and once on fire burn thoroughly. Italian planned obsolescence. very easy to change oil...theres a constant drip, so all you do is re fill from the top....lol
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