[62131]

Fatnlow that roof looks great looks like it was made for it.  Nice choice.

[TFoch]

Nice 

[chopper526]

Looks great, FATnLOW. I like those flat ribs too.

[madmike3434]

there must be a way to re-inforce the insert metal roof panel , so that it cannot flex with the wind.  Usually after a period of 5 years or so all that bondo starts to crack from the  welded insert.

I am thinking that using tubing or hardwood cross bracing right up against the roof panel might help alleviate a potential problem.

 Has anybody else noticed this problem on cars at shows?

Oh ya, the roof insert really looks good with flat tops

mike lynch     

[62131]

When placing something against the roof to help support it from the wind it also needs to be able to flex with the expansion from the heat also. 

[EDNY]

My plan is to run the metal bracing along the roof and leave about a 1/4" gap to be filled in with automotive spray foam.   Actually already framed my car....just need to foam it after I finish the roof....the spray foam needs to be firm but flexible.

[chopper526]

I used four lengths of "L" channel. I ground them to the curvature of the inside of the roof, fit them within a 1/16" to the roof and welded them to square tubing I ran around the perimeter and above the door openings. It helped stiffen up the entire upper section of the body and roof and the flat part of the "L" gave me something to secure the headliner to. I'm sorry but I have no pictures.

[madmike3434]

good replies, that's what I was hoping to see for members of this rusty bowtie community to help them build better cars/street rods thru innovation in techniques......

anybody else have anything to add..........?

happiness is a job well done and lasts and lasts

mike     

[FATnLOW]

Bracing for the roof....In the front and back I cut a piece of flat stock the same arc  of the roof  hole and tack welded that roof to it. Then I used 1x3  tubing for the other 2 braces welded that to 1x1 sq tubing on the side that runs  from front to back . On top of the front  1x3  I used 3/4" pipe  foam wrap, opening it along the slit and  used spray glue to hold that in place (the donor roof had foam glued on the  rib brace to the roof that went from side to side) so I thought about using the pipe wrap insulation  Also used Liquid Nails  adhesive on top of the  foam  to the roof.
 On the next brace  I welded a 3/8 inch round stock to the 1 x 3  stock , and I'm going to glue more foam on the back side,
 Photo shows  plastic wire ties holding pipe wrap in place after I sprayed glue on ,,in between wire ties Liquid nails was used
 then I set the top on over the liquid nails

[ghost28]

I really like that top on there. Nice work

[62131]

Here's how I did my flat roof bracing, I took some 14ga metal bent a 90 degree and placed it tight against the roof with a 1/2" bead of seam sealer and pushed it against the roof to aid in expansion. It is clamped into place waiting for the sealer to cure. Then I'm going to tack weld it to the cross bracing before removing clamps.

[sammons]

That looks nice too, I liked FATnLOW's also. That was my thinking on the braces, I was thinking silicon gasket material, but seam sealer would work as well. Good job guys!

[chopper526]

I did mine almost exactly as 62131 did his.

[FATnLOW]

Went out and sprayed my DTM primer on.....But only put on One light coat,,,Ran out of primer...guess I was to excited to get it in primer..oh well at least it wont rust....now off to buy more....

[chopper526]

That looks really good! Nice work!