1969 Dodge Dart GT Convertible Stock Resto

SheSaid said

The tear down process has begun. We started taking apart the trim, front fenders, lights, bumpers, ect...

The convertible top stopped working this summer so I wanted to do some troubleshooting before the whole car was apart. I could see the pump was very low on fluid. The motor was running but I could see large amount of air in the lines. The cylinder on the passenger side is leaking (pictured). So does anybody know the easiest way to fill the system with fluid?

I believe we will be replacing both the cylinders and the lines but keep the pump. A whole new setup through Year One is expensive. Any suggestions?

Also so far there is less rust than I thought there would be, the front fenders look solid, just some rot on the top ridge of the inner fenders, seems common for the Dart.

Click to expand...

try online for the top cylinders at convertible top specialties (sp) same place that SHESAID said in that post.
cylinders run around 139.00 each
hose set's run 100.00 a set
and top pumps are near 239.00 (BUT a 90's mustang top pump can be found at a salvage yard and has the correct connections and fit's great, I paid 25.00 for the pump and foud some big bodied cars that had a set of hoses that was even longer than mine for another 20 bucks. )
BTW make sure you get the cylinders with metal ends. the plastic tops/ends crack and leak. metal tops can be o-ringed and resealed.
I'm going to see if I can convert to the later style cylinders by welding on a pivot point to my 66 dart. That means I can get the cylinders for about 100 bucks new. and it'll give me more clearance to add side speakers in.