Ron K. Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 I hate to be dominating this forum but need some more advice. The right cylinder that powers the convertible top is "frozen" and after a number of days of trying to soak it with penetrating lubricant, it still will not move. I am being careful not to apply too much pressure in fear of damaging it. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim_Edwards Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 I hate to be dominating this forum but need some more advice. The right cylinder that powers the convertible top is "frozen" and after a number of days of trying to soak it with penetrating lubricant, it still will not move. I am being careful not to apply too much pressure in fear of damaging it. Any ideas?I'd take that puppy to a hydraulics shop where they are used to dealing with similar issues all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abelincoln Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 After 30+ years of sitting with brake fluid, my top cylinders were both full of a solid, smelly goo. I took a bent wire and rodded them out as best I could. I had to sand the exposed piston shaft with emory cloth. I put both auto trans fluid and NAPA tractor fluid (which I prefer) in the holes, and was eventually able to work the piston back and forth. Then I rodded them some more. I also had to clean the tubing with an old speedometer cable. I eventually gave up and bought a 1960 top pump, had it rebuilt, and mounted under the back seat. I used two relays to operate from a toggle up down switch I mounted under the dash. Now the top goes up and down with reasonable dispatch. I still have to use a screw driver to bring the shrunken top pins to their receptacles in the windshield when putting up. Keep trying, you'll get it eventually.Abe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Overfield Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Ron,The 40 cabrolets had a vacuum system to raise and lower the top. Id take the offending cylinder out and keep adding penetrating oil to it and if you can get the rod to move just a teenie bit, then you are on your way to freeing it up. I would imagine it is nothing more than the seal inside has stuck to the walls of the cylinder can. There are replacement seals available from one of the vendors listed in the Sources section.Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron K. Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 It looks like I am going to have to remove this cylinder to work on it, which I assume means removing the back seat and the panels on which the arm rests are attached. I just received the Ford Service Manual and Lincoln Chassis Parts Catalogue but neither of them address the convertible top parts or power equipment, is there any known written material on this system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Overfield Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Go to the Boos-Herrel web site listed in the Sources section, click on diagrams and you will find a diagram of the top along with the vacuum cylinders, I think it also shows the routing of the vacuum lines as well. It is really pretty simple unless you take the top irons all apart for restoration and wait 30 years to put it all back together like someone I know did. (dont ask how I know)Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Overfield Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Ron,I just looked in the diargrams section of the Boos-Herrel site and the diagram I spoke of is not listed there. For some reason I cannot bring up the catalouge and that is where I probably saw it. Possible John Murphy can chime in as I know he has the diragram.Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peecher Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 For the Boos-Herrel catalog go to the home page site then click on the "catalog" in the column on the left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Overfield Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Hi Dee, Hopefully everyone else can open that "catalog" link,,,,it will not open for me, just sends me to an error site. weird.Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron K. Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 It opened for me but I could not find anything on the convertible, it looks exactly like the Chassis Parts book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Murphy Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Ron: Check your PM. Sent you copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Overfield Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Check page 39 Ron,,,it's there...But I think Murph has you covered in any event.Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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