Convertible top frame bits

[rodo]

'82 spider. Took the top scraps off and removed the frame, hm...four years ago? Time to put it back on. Can't find the nice baggie into which I placed the screws and...whatever the thing is that goes behind where the frame "screws" to the body. (i'm talking about the big bolts with allen or hex heads, flush, that are called "screws" I guess because they are pointed...for some reason.) I've managed to replace the screws with flush metric replacements, great, but what goes between the frame mount points and the body? Is it a big washer or some kind of a spacer? I assumed it was a big normal washer but then watched a youtube top frame install with a '79 spider and his had these very thick washers, spacers.

So, normal washers or big thick spacer thingys that no one sells?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I have this sneaking suspicion that each car might be different, that is, Fiat used different sized washers to adjust for tolerances in the frame-to-body clearances during manufacture, and if they weren't required, they left them off. On the spiders that I can remember, some had washers, some didn't, some had them on the top screw but not the bottom, or vice versa, etc. You could just bend the frame to make it narrower or wider at the attachment points, but perhaps that affected the smooth operation of the top, so they used washers instead.

Washers might also be used to provide some very precise centering of the frame relative to the centerline of the body, but to be honest, I can't imagine you'd ever notice in real life.

My suggestion: Lower your frame into the body cavity and see how much clearance you have around the 4 mounting points. Use appropriate thickness (or multiple) washers if the gap seems excessive at any of the 4 mounting screws.

-Bryan

[rodo]

Bryan to the rescue! Thanks, man. I agree and started thinking along similar lines. And of course, we all know the FIAT mantra: "if it works, it works." I will endeavor to make it work today.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I will endeavor to make it work today.

Let us know how it works out. The original setup was a bolt (screw) with a serrated tooth concave washer, to keep the bolt from working loose. So, the spacer washers were just that: spacer washers.

-Bryan

[davidbruce]

I believe Bryan is correct. The back lower corner of the quarter window on mine scraped on the plastic liner when lowered. I believe shims or spacers would have eliminated this. There were none on mine when I got it but someone had the top off at some point. My quarter window frames were pretty rusty so when I replaced them I clamped the frame to a jig on my workbench so I had the proper clearance. I also made 1/4" plywood "windows" so the flimsy frames would not distort in the process.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Dave, I had forgotten about that aspect, and I think you're right. I do recall now that the lower rear of that quarter window frame can scrape the plastic liner, and so the spacer washers likely were there to move the frame inward just a tad.

-Bryan

[rodo]

Yeah, concave washers...er...what? I did find new bolts that fit brilliantly into the conical holes on the frame. I guess I need to go and hunt for serrated conical washers now. Good times!

[RRoller123]

belmetric.com may have them

[Zoofly]

Here's a photo of the washer on my 1978. Just the upper bolt has the washer.

[rodo]

Thanks for the advice, all. Ordered my serrated tooth concave washers today. Did a dry fit yesterday and, yep, as it gets into place, one can see where washers would and would not work. I need a few more and I think I will have it close enough. Not too bad.