PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
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Car: 1989 Camaro I-roc z-28
PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
My Dad bought this 1989 Convertible I-roc as a kind of restoration project a while back. He took it to get repainted and for some interior cosmetic work. The car then sat in a garage for about a year or so. I am now a full time college student and I’m trying to get this car ready for personal use as transportation to work and school. I recently finished installing the replacement convertible top, it was during this process that I had spent the most time working on the car and I began to notice for myself just the amount of small things that were missing on the car that is giving me big hassle.
There is namely two things I cannot seem to find anything on the internet for help on.
The first flaw is just simply a missing part, it is the rod type of part on the rear bow that inserts into the hole on the bed off the car to lock the top into place. Here are some pictures, Part that’s missing
If anyone knows the name of that missing part or where I could purchase it, would be greatly appreciated. I know it is a skinny hooked rod type of part but I’m just not sure or knowledgeable on the car to know.
The Second flaw is this,
the turning crank mechanism that locks the front top, only the left side lines up properly into the hole. The right side which is pictured above, doesn’t align properly and just simply refuses to budge. I really don’t know what to do about this.
Apologies for the long post, but hopefully it gives some insight to what I am dealing with, I could really just use some help and advice. Anything is appreciated, thanks!
There is namely two things I cannot seem to find anything on the internet for help on.
The first flaw is just simply a missing part, it is the rod type of part on the rear bow that inserts into the hole on the bed off the car to lock the top into place. Here are some pictures, Part that’s missing
If anyone knows the name of that missing part or where I could purchase it, would be greatly appreciated. I know it is a skinny hooked rod type of part but I’m just not sure or knowledgeable on the car to know.
The Second flaw is this,
the turning crank mechanism that locks the front top, only the left side lines up properly into the hole. The right side which is pictured above, doesn’t align properly and just simply refuses to budge. I really don’t know what to do about this.
Apologies for the long post, but hopefully it gives some insight to what I am dealing with, I could really just use some help and advice. Anything is appreciated, thanks!
Last edited by dorti101; 04-08-2018 at 11:37 PM.
#2
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
The missing latch is what I would refer to as a "Striker". Similar to the ones the door latches engage, but it'd be pointy to push in to latch.
The front latch plate looks to be adjustable. As in loosen the two bright silver bolts, and move the plate over till it lines up, and retighten the bolts. Best guess. Party on.
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
I had a third gen as a daily driver for 10 years with minimal issues and never got stranded.. granted it was 6 years old and had 26k on it when I bought it in 1993.. Driving any 30 year old car now as a daily driver can be daunting and as you’re learning, parts aren’t as readily available..
Add a convertible on top of that and I just hope you are somewhere without winter and too much precipitation..
I think you’re looking for the rear bow lock bolt (which is what it’s called on older Corvettes). I’ve heard it called tonneau lock pin or rear bow lock pin.
The quickest solution I could find after extensive searching out of curiosity would be to buy a new frame ($500), remove the pin and re-sell the frame to someone who needs it but has a pin on their old junk frame.. You might even break even on the deal..
You could also just search for someone parting out a convertible that may have it or look for junk yards that might have any thirdgen convertible..
I think ASC made the C4 convertibles as well so it is possible the lock pin is the same.. I think the Vettes has two of them though.. those might be more readily available.
You’re other issue I agree with Drew that you should be able to re-align the front bow latch bolts..
Good luck with the top.. those parts can be tough to come by..
Add a convertible on top of that and I just hope you are somewhere without winter and too much precipitation..
I think you’re looking for the rear bow lock bolt (which is what it’s called on older Corvettes). I’ve heard it called tonneau lock pin or rear bow lock pin.
The quickest solution I could find after extensive searching out of curiosity would be to buy a new frame ($500), remove the pin and re-sell the frame to someone who needs it but has a pin on their old junk frame.. You might even break even on the deal..
You could also just search for someone parting out a convertible that may have it or look for junk yards that might have any thirdgen convertible..
I think ASC made the C4 convertibles as well so it is possible the lock pin is the same.. I think the Vettes has two of them though.. those might be more readily available.
You’re other issue I agree with Drew that you should be able to re-align the front bow latch bolts..
Good luck with the top.. those parts can be tough to come by..
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
[QUOTE=Drew;6213418]
Wow this really helps, I don’t know why I didn’t think of just removing the silver bolts until you mentioned it, definitely going to be doing that. I know exactly what you’re saying about the striker part, I have seen some online but they usually say they are for the car doors. They only seem to be the rod though,
Seems like this rod is what is needed but seems unusubale because it doesn’t have that flat base with two holes like the imprint of where the missing part is would suggest. I’d really like to see picture of this rear pin actually on. I’ve watched at least 50 Camaro Convertible videos hoping someone would show the rear bow pin, just so I could get an idea of what I’m looking for exactly but there is not one that does. You wouldn’t happen to own one of these cars currently ? To show a close up of this part. Thanks again
Wow this really helps, I don’t know why I didn’t think of just removing the silver bolts until you mentioned it, definitely going to be doing that. I know exactly what you’re saying about the striker part, I have seen some online but they usually say they are for the car doors. They only seem to be the rod though,
Seems like this rod is what is needed but seems unusubale because it doesn’t have that flat base with two holes like the imprint of where the missing part is would suggest. I’d really like to see picture of this rear pin actually on. I’ve watched at least 50 Camaro Convertible videos hoping someone would show the rear bow pin, just so I could get an idea of what I’m looking for exactly but there is not one that does. You wouldn’t happen to own one of these cars currently ? To show a close up of this part. Thanks again
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
You'll want someone with the same year, or close to the same year convertible to supply a pic. Various little things about the convertible conversions changed between the start and the end, parts for a 92 for example may not fit a 91, parts from a 91 may not fit an 87, etc.
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
Here’s a pic of my 88 bow lock pin..
As drew said there were at least 3 different style tops for third gens..
87-88 (slider Tonneau release 87-88 front bow and window)
89 (handle Tonneau release 89 front bow and window)
90-92 (handle Tonneau release 90-92 front bow and window)
Some of these changes were made at the end of some years as well (for example: a late 88 might have an 89 top and tonneau release, etc)
The lock pin could be the same for all the years, but you’d have to compare..
As drew said there were at least 3 different style tops for third gens..
87-88 (slider Tonneau release 87-88 front bow and window)
89 (handle Tonneau release 89 front bow and window)
90-92 (handle Tonneau release 90-92 front bow and window)
Some of these changes were made at the end of some years as well (for example: a late 88 might have an 89 top and tonneau release, etc)
The lock pin could be the same for all the years, but you’d have to compare..
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Car: 1989 Camaro I-roc z-28
Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
Here’s a pic of my 88 bow lock pin..
As drew said there were at least 3 different style tops for third gens..
87-88 (slider Tonneau release 87-88 front bow and window)
89 (handle Tonneau release 89 front bow and window)
90-92 (handle Tonneau release 90-92 front bow and window)
Some of these changes were made at the end of some years as well (for example: a late 88 might have an 89 top and tonneau release, etc)
The lock pin could be the same for all the years, but you’d have to compare..
As drew said there were at least 3 different style tops for third gens..
87-88 (slider Tonneau release 87-88 front bow and window)
89 (handle Tonneau release 89 front bow and window)
90-92 (handle Tonneau release 90-92 front bow and window)
Some of these changes were made at the end of some years as well (for example: a late 88 might have an 89 top and tonneau release, etc)
The lock pin could be the same for all the years, but you’d have to compare..
Wow, yes, that is the part I’ve been trying to see. A very big help man, thank you.
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
It almost looks like you could make a part to fit out of one of those Corvette pins if you can get it welded to a bracket and if it was the right size to lock in there..
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
I was thinking the exact same thing, because apparently that part is completely non existent for purchase online. Can’t find any.
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
Be even better if I had one..
There’s a guy on here My82roc who was selling some convertible parts.. I got my Tonneau release slider from him which they don’t make a repro of.. was really quick, easy and reasonably priced..
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
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Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
I do have several of these lock pins.Thanks for the referral
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
No problem!
Guess I don’t have to go out and measure now..
Guess I don’t have to go out and measure now..
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
I have owned my 88 IROC Convertible for the last 13 years and it is still my daily driver and has never left me stranded. I am a maintenance horse so I take care of things regularly. I take the IROC on long drives 900+ miles each way to Iowa, Arizona, Vegas, Fargo, Idaho all the time and without a thought of reliability. I personally rebuilt the original engine, balanced and blueprinted and all these years later is still does not leak, I had the auto trans rebuilt at the same time and upgraded the internals. I am the third owner and one of my brothers owned it before me... Originally an Arizona car now Colorado and still no rust. Just picked up a tuner car for zooming around in but my IROC is still fun to drive adn will have it for years to come as one of my kids will inherit it.
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
I have owned my 88 IROC Convertible for the last 13 years and it is still my daily driver and has never left me stranded. I am a maintenance horse so I take care of things regularly. I take the IROC on long drives 900+ miles each way to Iowa, Arizona, Vegas, Fargo, Idaho all the time and without a thought of reliability. I personally rebuilt the original engine, balanced and blueprinted and all these years later is still does not leak, I had the auto trans rebuilt at the same time and upgraded the internals. I am the third owner and one of my brothers owned it before me... Originally an Arizona car now Colorado and still no rust. Just picked up a tuner car for zooming around in but my IROC is still fun to drive adn will have it for years to come as one of my kids will inherit it.
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That makes me feel a bit more confident about getting mine ready, seems like yours definitely has some longevity, thanks a lot dude for sharing.
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Re: PLEASE HELP, 1989 I-ROC CONVERTIBLE TROUBLES. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
Does anyone have any suggestions on what type of glue I should use for a new top installation, front portion peeled off after about a month or so. Should I use a spray can type or a rubber cement brush type. The one I used before was with a brush applicator but I can’t recall the brand I used. What did you guys use?
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