Advice on convertible top fit and other things

[urbom]

I just got a 69 spider in June and am still assessing what I need to work on. This is the second 69 that I have had, but have never had to deal with fitment of the convertible top. The top seems to be quite tight, and is really a pita to get latched down. I noticed today that on the passenger side, the top edge of the door glass comes so close to the B pillar that it actually hits it when you shut the door. Not a problem when the top is down, but I'm afraid that if it were shut hard with the top up that it might break the glass. Is it possible to get the top so tight that the B pillar is tipped forward that much? How would I correct it?

Another matter is that through all of the gears, the transmission is nice and quiet, except for 5th gear which has a sort of low pitched whirring noise that is annoying enough that I usually drive in 4th on the highway. Is this likely some dodgie bearings in the transmission, or worn gears? None of the gears have any synchro problems that I can tell, shifts nice in all gears. Maybe its low on oil?

Best guesses are always appreciated.

[Exit98]

About the 5th gear trans issue, you kinda answered your own question. Before doing anything else change the trans oil. GL1 is recommended. I get mine from NAPA:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catal ... 0006545685

Some guys use some modern stuff you can find it with the search. But Just go with this for now. New oil in the proper amount might just solve the issue.

Good luck.

[seabeelt]

Regarding the top. There are a couple of possible adjustments. First is the door. Take a look at how the door sits when closed and the gaps at the front rear and bottom edges of the door. Does the door have the door lug and how does it fit in the guide. Also check the latch. All are adjustable and may solve the problem. If the door is OK, look at the top frame. There are adjustments here as well but the need to be made when installing a new top. Not that it cannot be done with an existing top, but you will need to possibly break the glue bonds at the cross ribs and loosen the rear attachment to possibly shift the top somewhat. More than likely its the door adjustments.
R/

[urbom]

Yesterday I changed the transmission oil and took the car for a quick spin to see if it quieted down. I had just gone about half a block to the stop sign and hit the brakes and heard a tink. When I stopped to look, I found a brake pad laying in the street, worn to the metal. Damn, haven't had the back wheels off yet.... Now I have to do the brakes, so I really don't know if it helped the transmission.

As far as the top is concerned, the doors fit very good, the gaps are right all around, the lugs are in place, and the door glass fits well, so I don't think it is the doors. I was afraid that adjusting the top might involve pulling the glue seams apart and I'm not willing to do that unless I replace the top which will probably be next year. I'll probably come back to this board when I go to do the top replacement.