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08-20-2019, 02:07 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 236
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Changing Pop Top Gasket
I bought a new gasket last year and it is now time to replace the old one as the rivet holes have torn in a few places. For those who have taken on this project so you have any advise?
Thanks
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2000 Ford RB30 PH 2WD -- Eagle Rock California
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08-20-2019, 02:39 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,338
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Subscribed - stiggs glad you asked the question...I too purchased a replacement gasket a year ago, just haven't made the time to replace it - with constructive advise you receive I'll (unfortunately) have no reason to delay any longer.
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TwoXentrix
"AWOL"
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08-20-2019, 04:58 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,036
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I used a paper hole puncher to punch holes in the rubber.....and I used brass sex bolts from McMaster to install it.....They are also called "binder" bolts
It's been a while, but I think that there is only a hole punched in the outer flange of the rubber; a most robust solution would be to punch through both flanges and bolt both rubber flanges to the fiberglass.
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2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
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08-20-2019, 05:21 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 428
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Another tip in case this isn't obvious, start at the back in the very middle and work your way around. You will have extra gasket to trim off at the end, and you may also end up with extra of those black buttons that you push through the gasket/top.
Definitely second boywonder's input to punch through both sides for a good hold. Just work your way along, punching holes in the gasket to align with the previously used holes in the fiberglass shell and then press the black plastic buttons through said holes. Then just trim off the excess part of the button on the inside of the shell so it doesn't rub the paint off your roof.
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08-20-2019, 05:33 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,338
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May I ask the group if its advised to stretch the gasket some to keep it from buckling over time? Or is it sufficient to pull it just slightly taut so no initial slack is visible?
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TwoXentrix
"AWOL"
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08-20-2019, 08:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,220
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twoxentrix
May I ask the group if its advised to stretch the gasket some to keep it from buckling over time? Or is it sufficient to pull it just slightly taut so no initial slack is visible?
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No need to stretch. If I remember right it won't stretch much anyway. Just pull it taut as you go.
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08-21-2019, 12:53 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,036
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BenJJ
Definitely second boywonder's input to punch through both sides for a good hold. Just work your way along, punching holes in the gasket to align with the previously used holes in the fiberglass shell and then press the black plastic buttons through said holes. Then just trim off the excess part of the button on the inside of the shell so it doesn't rub the paint off your roof.
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I'm not sure punching thru both flanges will do much with the supplied plastic push fasteners... It will certainly work with sexbolts/binder bolts because there will be a fastener head on both sides.
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2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
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08-21-2019, 01:31 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 618
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twoxentrix
May I ask the group if its advised to stretch the gasket some to keep it from buckling over time? Or is it sufficient to pull it just slightly taut so no initial slack is visible?
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I don't think I'd stretch it. Mine shows signs of shrinking (pulling in at the corners) so you probably don't want to pre-tension it.
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N8SRE
1990 E-250 Sportsmobile w/ penthouse top, converted when new by SMB Texas.
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08-21-2019, 04:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,338
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Good feedback - Thanks for the responses.
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TwoXentrix
"AWOL"
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08-21-2019, 09:27 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boywonder
I used a paper hole puncher to punch holes in the rubber.....and I used brass sex bolts from McMaster to install it.....They are also called "binder" bolts
It's been a while, but I think that there is only a hole punched in the outer flange of the rubber; a most robust solution would be to punch through both flanges and bolt both rubber flanges to the fiberglass.
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Do you remember which ones you used?
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2001 Ford RB 7.3 Quadvan (sold)
2006 Sportsmobile EB Transformer 6.0
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