61 Invicta convt. roof motor

[Colin_Farquhar]

HI There:

I'm currently working on getting a 61 Invicta back into top-notch shape, and I'm having some issues with the raising & lowering of the top. I haven't been able to come up with a diagram or anything as to how it works-does anyone have any insight into this thing?

The main issue is that it is really slow to raise or lower, and usually requires a 'helping hand' along the way. Is the system hydraulic? electro-mechanical?

Thanks in advance,

Colin

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Colin,

My Invicta is jealous. It should be a hydraulic system...I'd imagine similar to other years around 1961. Of course, I can't find some of my references when I need them and I honestly haven't seen my Invicta for a while.

Hopefully someone else with a convertible will pipe up. If not, I will be moving my car this summer, so I may be able to provide you with some information / references if you need.

Good luck and welcome to the forum. Photos / stories are always welcome in the "Me and My Buick" section.

[imported_buick5563]

It's hydraulic and electric. The electricity moves the pump which in turn moves the hydraulic fluid to the two pistons which raise and lower the top. The good news is, if you need any parts, they are readily available as all full-size 61-64 GM cars used the same top mechanism. You may have an air bubble in the system which requires bleeding of the system. I bought two new pistons and a rebuilt pump and then followed the installation instructions in my shop manual and the top works like a dream. I believe I used trans fluid in mine although others say to use brake fluid. I honestly don't remember. Try getting the air out first, though, because to replace the pistons, you have to pull the back seat and the side upholstery.

Good luck.

Mike

[Guest imported_Thriller]

If you need to replace the pump, there's a fellow who always have them on eBay. I don't know how well they fit or anything, but as Mike states, parts are available.

[Starfire61]

I've had a couple GM convertibles of this vintage. I don't think anybody anticipated those hydraulic top systems would last 40+ years with no service. Invariably, the cylinders go bad & the lines & pump get clogged with congealed oil & other crud. If the system's filled with brake fluid, over the years it pull in moisture just as it does with your brakes.

I'd guess your top system is near the end of its useful life. Your best bet is to replace the lines & cylinders with new ones & rebuild the pump. Anything short of a new, clean system means that you could have old fluid & debris floating around to mess up any new components. New components also give you the opportunity to switch over to transmission fluid. I did this over a decade ago with my '61 Starfire & have since had no trouble with it whatsoever.

The pumps are fairly straightforward to service yourself- there are some little ball bearing check valves that you have to try not to lose, & the brushes are a bear to reinstall, but that's about it. Don't even bother messing with the cylinders & hoses- just replace them. When you disassemble the hoses & cylinders, make sure to note which side of the pump supplies which sides of the cylinders, otherwise the functions of your Up-Down switch may be reversed!

I've gotten a few sets of cylinders & hoses from Hydro-E-Lectric & had very good results with them. http://www.hydroe.com/

Again, if you go through the effort of replacing the hoses & cylinders, be sure to go through the pump. There are some very fine channels in there that can easily clog. You can buy a new one, but they're pretty expensive & there's really no reason to- over 40+ years how much wear could be on a convertible top pump...perhaps an hour or two of total running time? Your service manual should have a series of diagrams that show how the pump is put together. Anybody with a minimal amout of mechanical aptitude should be able to do it. Just make sure you disassemble it in a clean, uncluttered area. You'll need to replace some O-rings, too. The only other pitfall are the reservoir seals- I think I re-used my old ones & added some permatex to them- they're still leak free years later.

You can assemble the pump, new hoses, & new cylinders outside the car as a unit, fill it, hook it to a battery & run it in & out for bleeding & leak testing, and THEN install the whole assembly back into the car. You'll minimize the likelihood of spilling fluid all over your car, you'll save yourself a lot of aggravation, & you'll be fairly certain that the top is going to work fine before you install everything back on the car.

Good Luck!

Chuck

[imported_buick5563]

Excellent call on the assembly before installation, Chuck. I wish I had done that. I checked my Wildcat and I did use trans fluid, BTW. I, too got my new hoses and pistons from HydroE. When I rebuilt my system, I tried unsuccessfully to rebuild my pump several times which is why I bought a new one. I was fortunate that my interior was out anyway so I wasn't as concerned when filling the system. I also bought my car with a seriously cobbled top mechanism so I had to get all of the hinges in workingorder at the same time, hopefully a problem Colin doesn't have.

Hope all of this info helps, and if you run across any other problems, we're here to help.

Good luck.

Mike