Convertible top hose kit

[nut465gs]

I thought that I'd give a heads up on my recent experience with buying a convertible top hose kit for my current restoration project. My original pump/motor and two cylinders work well and cleaned up nicely. However, the hoses were all yellow and the fitting were slightly corroded so I wanted to replace them and along with new pump mounting grommets. I decided to order from Ames Performance as they had both the correct grommets and "correct" hose kit for the 1964-67 GM A body convertibles. They also had hose kits available for the 1968-72 GM A body convertibles with a special note that both kits were not universal kits but come complete with correct length hoses and fittings. $109 plus $22 for shipping. I received the correct grommets but the hoses were too long. The top hose was only 2" longer, but the bottom hose was 15.5" too long. The hoses kit was labeled as being for the 1968-72 GM A body. Thinking that they just picked the wrong kit as all the paper work indicated that I wanted the kit for 1964-68. I called customer service and explained their error. They said that they only carry the one kit now and that it should fit regardless of the extra length. Their supplier (Hydro-E-Lectric) now only supplies them with the kit with the longer hoses. They were very gracious and agreed to refund my money plus the return shipping cost.

In the mean time, I contacted Convertible Top Specialists explained my situation and the correct length of hoses that I needed. They verified the length of their hoses with my measurements of the originals. A perfect match. $100 plus $6 for shipping. I just received them today and they are the correct length. I would have ordered from them originally but they did not carry the correct grommets.

I just thought that I'd pass this info along in case anyone plans to buy new hoses for their convertible. BTW, I am switching from the brake fluid to transmission fluid. I did a thorough cleaning of the pump reservoir and cylinders so I should be good to go.

John

[dl7265]

I always have good luck with Convertible Top Specialists . Thanks for info about the hose lengths.
 I'm supprised your car had brake fluid in it ( bad on paint!). All the convertibles I've had were filled with tranny fluid.

DL

[nut465gs]

GM used brake fluid as their hydraulic fluid in the convertible top pumps. Nasty stuff, the Body Service Manual cautions not to get on the trunk floor or exterior paint. Many convertibles have been switched over whenever they needed servicing or repair. A bonus, tranny fluid sure looks pretty in those translucent plastic hoses.

Ames Performance is a great source for parts that are shared by most GM A body cars. Unfortunately, their shipping rates are calculated by the price of the shipment, not by size or weight of the parcel. Even though their hoses would work, I did not want all that extra hose (8" on either side) to get tangled up in the mechanics and it just would not look correct.

John