Hi Folks,
Recently purchased a 67 Cutlass Supreme Convertible. Looks like the car only has 75k original miles. I already ordered a bushing kit and shocks. The top worked great a week ago and now it won't go down. I just hear a click when i press the button. I would like to put it down manually until I can get someone to look at it. I tried to push the top down manually but it seems locked into place and won't budge. Any tips on how to get it down manually would be great. Excited new Olds owner. i also just uploaded a picture of the car in my album.
Thanks!
Mike

 

Welcome, someone who knows convertables hopefully will chime in soon.

 

Congrats on your purchase. You will likely not get the top down manually with the rams still connected. Mine were disconnected when I got mine. You can get it up and down by yourself once you take the rams off the control rods, but it's a pain. I bought a kit with the pump, rams and hoses for $525 including shipping and had it installed Monday. What a difference.

In term of the click, does it come from up front or in back by the top well? A quick wrap on the pump body may free it up for a short time if you're lucky. If so, figure on replacing all the hydraulics, or having them rebuilt if you like. Mine is the quietest top I've ever heard.

Tim

 

Thanks Tim!
That's a big help! Where did you get the kit from?
Did a convertible guy do the installation or just a regular mechanic?
Appreciate it!
Mike

 

I got mine from Convertible Top Specialists in Florida. There are a lot of people selling this stuff,I went with the best combination of price, shipping cost and warranty. This pump has a five year warranty. I had a local mechanic install it for me. Most places will not touch it. The top guys won't do hydraulics, and general shops tend to be afraid of doing 'body' work. I found two shops that would do it, and went with the guy with the first opening. He also ended up being half the cost, coming in at $256 including shop supplies and tax. I drove by with the car and the parts and showed him what I wanted, so he knew how easy it should be. He will now get my 'gravy' work as well since he took on the thing I needed worst and knocked it out.

Tim

 

Great info!
Thanks Tim, I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

 

I used Hydro-E-lectric for my top pump and rams.
http://www.hydroe.com/
I used my old lines since they were still in nice shape. I swapped them out myself and followed the bleeding instructions that came with the parts. It really wasn't too hard to do. About a week after replacing the pump the top relay on the firewall just behind my vacuum brake booster shorted out and I had to replace that too. Good luck with your car.