Getting frustrated trying to put on the top boot cover!

Broke one clip already trying to get the clip over the chrome trim.

What is the right way of putting these on? I tried to catch the clip on the topside of the trim and then push the clip down into the trim below and snapped the clip.

I've also tried to catch the clip the other way by snagging it on the bottom and then pulling towards the back of the car and trying to get it to catch on the top back edge of the molding.

No luck so far. Any suggestions? The clip has OER stamped on it.

They are a PIA to put on, I rarely used mine for that reason.

Just a thought. I'm pretty sure the boots are made of vinyl. In the winter it's going to be even harder to put them on, I would think, having dealt with vinyl in the past. Vinyl is more pliable when it is very warm. I'd try placing it on concrete, asphalt is even better yet, in the warm sun. If it's warm where you are this time of year. Let it get very warm, and then try to put it on before it cools to much. It should stretch much easier. If you get it on, may be a good idea to leave it on for quite a while. Maybe a few days or even weeks. To let it get used to being stretched out. If you take it back off right away, it will retract in size. At least that has been my personal experience. I hope this helps you in some way.

Making sure the vinyl is warm and pliable is a plus. Also, during restorations, people like to push the surround moulding down, sometimes almost flush so there is less area to catch. The last comment is that the repro white plastic clips that I have used would always flex and break. the original hard plastic gray clips were better. Don't know if the repro clips have changed. But it is hard getting the boot to fit right

Good to know guys. Ya, they are a royal PIA!

Gotta love this forum for advice. Thanks again.

Cameron

Your frame may not be down far enough causing the tight fit. There are instructions on the proper way to fold your frame down to get it to sit lower.
Here is a thread on that, Go to post #15.
It will help a lot.
http://www.camaros.net/forums/...ght=convertible+boot

These clips normally snap on pretty decent.. even a little loose in cases.. Maybe the repros suck like most repro stuff

Too funny Tom. I just ordered some more clips through Classic Industries. Hope they are not junk. And some other stuff...

Wife had to tap me on the shoulder last night and say "pace yourself, don't be buying a pile of stuff at once!" So, I kept the order to a minimum for now

I have realized over the last week or two that I have have wanted to get into 'hotrods' for awhile now. The car is pretty clean, but there are a few warts. The marker lights were either burnt out, or the bulbs were not completely in. The highbeam switch on the floor appeared to be jammed. The windsheild washer pump appeared to be non-functional (possibly froze and split the pump during transport).

All of these things turned out to be ghosts or 5 minute fixes. The only exception is the windshield washer. The pump is fine, but the hoses going to the headlight spray solenoid are too large, so the fluid ends up pouring out of the bottom of the pump assembly. Which made it appear that the pump was split. The good news is that I have taken it apart I now understand how the pump works!

Incidentally, what is the correct hose size from the pump? 5/32"?

When its cool outside and no sun available, I use a hair dryer to warm up the boot. It helps out tremendously. Especially for the last few clips.

Forty two years ago the conv. top boot was a pain in the butt to install so obviously nothing has changed over the years. What I can offer is this!!! Make sure boot is warm and flexible/pliable (how you get there is not important just get warm and fuzzy) Next lay the boot out as if you were going to install but do nothing except making sure the top is down in full and boot is layed out as if to fit insitu. Start in the middle of the car/boot outboard side closest to the trunk lid and work your way around to the front/sides of the vehicle. Complete one side then go back to the center and work the other side from back center toward front of car. The clips engage first on the downward side (engage clips on downward/outboard/trunk side of moulding them grasp boot near clip to be snapped and use the palm of your hand to roll inward on the clip and bingo it will snap into place. Speaking of snaps the interior two quarter trim snaps on each endside of the boot are the last I engage when indsttalling the boot.

All the best,

Bob Clingensmith

Your advice on installing on a sunny day was great advice. What's the trick on the front flap though. There doesn't seem like there is an easy, or good, way to tuck in the front flap behind the back seat. I would be afraid that the flap would not hold down if driving down the highway.

Do the back seats fold down?