66 convertible roof ram replacements

[Mr CVE]

I bought my 66 vert from photos.
In the photos, the roof was up and the roof was down.
It was delivered to the shippers roof up.
By the time the car came to me, the roof was down.

I tried to put it up, but was air in the system, bled it out and noticed the roof lifting rams BOTH had bent shafts.
Tried to make it work, and the shaft seals leaked.
Oh well, went and bought new rams.

Is there any trick to fit them ? do you pull the back seat out to get the the bolts ? and if so, any tricks to the back seat ?

Rather ask experts first then try and pull everything out on what could be a simple procedure !

Thanks for any advise or tips.

[frasern]

With the top up, the best way to access the cylinder pins is with the seat out. Push in and down on the cushion, then lift. The seat back has a small hex screw at each side to remove, then lift up.
Someone has put a lot of abuse into that top to bend those cylinders, and a very close inspection of all it's components should be undertaken. There are fragile "z" bars, and welded brackets which may be damaged, John Brewer is the guy to talk to.
If your shipper did that damage, put his name on this sites "bad vendors" list, so others can avoid him.
Fitting the cylinders is simple enough, just pull the pins, and swap. Make sure both move freely before you install, I once got a brand new one that was seized (Chinese quality control).

[JAB]

Hi,
Give me a call and I will run you through installation of the rams and bleeding. I will also explain what to look at in the top frame to see if there was any other damage.
John Brewer
Brewer Classic Lincoln
303 562-8368

[Mr CVE]

Thanks, will do that.
John, I tried to call you but maybe it's after you closing time, or you don't take overseas calls.
I am in Australia !
Thanks greatly for the help.

[frasern]

I would love to see pictures of that right hand drive L.C.C.! Especially the dash!

[Mr CVE]

Sorry, it’s staying left hand drive.

[Dan Szwarc]

I would love to see pictures of that right hand drive L.C.C.! Especially the dash!

They never built a 60s Lincoln with right hand drive.

[frasern]

I guess I'm a little rusty on Australian law, but I thought they had to be converted before they could be licensed there.
Just curious, but when is it required, and what is exempt?

[Mr CVE]

I would love to see pictures of that right hand drive L.C.C.! Especially the dash!

They never built a 60s Lincoln with right hand drive.

While this is true, people convert them.
Its quite a big job and so on, but very do able.
I used to do this to cars in years gone by.

[Mr CVE]

I guess I'm a little rusty on Australian law, but I thought they had to be converted before they could be licensed there.
Just curious, but when is it required, and what is exempt?

The law here is 30 years from manufacture date can stay left hand drive.

However they still need to comply to the laws of date of manufacture.
After 1970 this gets quite tricky, as many rules came out. orange indicators, pollution, wiper speeds.

That why you won't see many people import 70's onwards US cars, unless they are very new, as the conversion costs are quite high.
for example a 2020 Camaro will cost around 150K US by the time its landed and converted and taxes paid. ( ready to drive )

[frasern]

Thanks, I wasn't aware of the 30 year rule.