Clip position on eldo cvt.

[Cees de Bunje]

Hi Guys. i am putting back all the things i had dismantled years ago. I bagged and labeled all the parts but i forgot to make a note how things were positioned before dismantling. As in this case, the clips that go under the moulding around the base of the cvt top, i forgot how they were installed. I think the way like on the picture but not sure of that. does anyone have some spare clips. i need another 4. Perhaps Jason or Russ?

[1d5kgb41rmhu4]

These pinch weld molding clips were a standard GM item from the mid 60's I was able to source them a few years ago from an outfit that had old car fasteners.

I found a forum on how to install these on Oldsmobile club page, but have no idea after reading it. I left in in the  hands of the guy who installed the top, and he put a lot of caulking under it. I have no idea what he did with the clips.  The molding still moves down if you push in certain places.

[Cees de Bunje]

Thanks Jeff. I dont think they are pinch welded. They slide over tbe edge as far as i could find out.

[1d5kgb41rmhu4]

"Pinch weld" refers to the seam in the body between the rear deck and its underside that form a bulkhead behind the rear window.

The stainless molding with the snaps to attach the boot cover is called the pinch weld molding, and the clips somehow help secure the molding to the pinch weld. They are not welded to the body.

I think this is may be a good thing to have done by an experienced body shop because of the risk of scratching the newly painted surface.

I

[Cees de Bunje]

Thanks for the explanation jeff. So the clip is seated correctly on the picture.

[1d5kgb41rmhu4]

Cees

I cannot tell you what is correct or not. For new parts I would try the folks at  Restoration Specialties: http://www.restorationspecialties.com/Products.html

They are real nice people and supply to other outfits like Steele Rubber.*

Getting back to your question, I found the instructions below and after playing with the clips and molding pieces, I decided to leave it to the upholstery guy installing the new top.  I don't know if he put them on the right way.   Here is the instruction I found on an Oldsmobile club web site a few years ago:

Put some butyl caulking on pinchweld to seal it
1. put some tape on paint to protect the finish.
2. starting at the front put the 1st clip about 10 -12 inches from the front the end of the pinch weld.(any further forward and it it almost imposible to get molding on and clips engaged)
3. Space the rest of the clips evenly around rest of pinchweld.
4. Put the 2 pieces of molding together
5. Have a helper to start molding at rear center (it helps to move front ends of moldings to center of car)
6. Push moldings rearward and slide the fronts over the pinch weld.
Now the fun part getting the clips to engage.
7.to engage clips use a putty knife with tape on it to push on the clips(from exterior of car), while pushing on moldings till the clip clicks into place
8. finish by installing screws into moldings

If you could get this to work, please let me know. 

Best regards,

Jeff

*They gave me a free replacement rubber piece for my belt moldings (don't get me started with that story LOL!) that I tore after restoring the stainless with new rubber and installed the window. I bought the original rubber pieces from Steele, but Restoration replaced the part I damaged at no cost.

[Cees de Bunje]

Thanks for that. Using the puttyknife will be tricky on the outside. because of the wing you cannot come under the moulding. I think i just slide them on. By a closer examination i found some rust prints on the inside of the moulding left there by the rusting clip. located 5 places so the rest will be divided over the pinch weld. All i have to do now is finding another 4 to complete it.I will try RSS.

[1d5kgb41rmhu4]

I got a set of thin nylon pry bars made for removing trims and door panels from Harbor Freight.
Those might be able to slide under the molding without damaging the paint to pop the clip onto position.

At this point even though I like authenticity I think that a carefully applied adhesive caulk that would not react with the paint could be a good solution.

[Cees de Bunje]

I think it is better to pull the clips back from the inside of the car instead of pushing them back from the outside. I will have a go with that. First the missing 4 finding. Thanks for your suggestions Jeff.

[1d5kgb41rmhu4]

& here's a nifty way to solve the whole problem :)

http://www.newcadillacdatabase.org/static/CDB/DBas_drm/dr63EldHT.jpg

[Cees de Bunje]

Great solution, but you still need to install the moulding :-))