slantflat

Hi everyone.

I'm looking at a 76 Eldorado and the guy says the top goes down, but struggles to come back up. This is the celebrated scissor top which allows a full width back seat. Is it the same top/operation as the 70s Delta 88s? Anybody know anything about these?

Thanks everyone.

droldsmorland

Not sure about the similarity?
I had a 71 Eldo 8.2L vert. Dont remember if it was "scissors?"
The top did the same thing down was better than up... I found bad grounds and the contact terminals on the relay behind the seat were loose at the rivets. This caused high resistance/voltage loss.
I drilled out the rivets and added a bolt/nut. It cured the problem. Check all the grounds. Any old car will benefit from clean grounds...under hood and body/chassis.
Also, lube the vert top frame pivot points.

rocketraider

71-76 GM B and E body convertibles use the same top frame and operate identically. Pretty much as you've described! You may need to pull the top switch and disassemble and clean it in addition too what droldsmorland has described. I know the Olds version is simple to do that. Ideally engine should be running during top operation so the alternator powers the top "up" instead of just the battery.

slantflat

Thanks guys. Hopefully I can see this car this weekend, I'll see what's with the top.