Has anybody out there worked on the power top motor, pump, reservoir set up? I cut down a carbon brush from another application and made it fit the motor. I put brake fluid in the reservoir and voila, the power top works. However, I recently found berake fluid under the back seat (not at all kind to paint or seam sealer). The reservoir to pump seal leaked when the top was near all the way up or all the way down (high pressure). I cleaned off the seal and seal area and put it back together. It holds but now the fluid is leaking from the pump into the motor. It seems that there is a seal to prevent this but I'm not exactly sure where it goes.

Are these gaskets/seals available? I'm trying to avoid the $300 for a new set-up from Kanter Auto. I'm one seal away but getting frustrated.

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'63 Valiant V200 Convertible
225 Aluminum Block

Guess not.

I just won a whole power top motor pump, hoses, cylinder set-up for a '65 Belvedere off ebay for peanuts (the shipping was the most expensive part). Looks the same as my Valiant set-up in the pic. Hopefully I can make one working, leak-free system out of 2

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'63 Valiant V200 Convertible
225 Aluminum Block

Pat, Do not use brake fluid in the power top system. That might be why you have a leak. The top pump fluid should be auto trans fluid.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I was seriously having a hard time dealing with the possibility of shelling out in the area of $500 to get my '64 top pump sorted out. I had leaking lines and pump, the cylinders were good. I ended up buying a rebuild kit from a convertible retoration shop in SoCal (in the LA area as I remember) for around $25 a few years back. The kit had about 8-10 parts in it including new rubber feet and all seals needed to repair including the center seal where the motor fits together. Anyway, I rebuilt the motor one evening and took my old pump lines out and had new ones made from a local shop called "Hose Man" for around $100. Everything worked out great in the end for what I think was as inexpensive a repair as I could get. I never have had any problems with leaking again. I'll dig out the contact information for the shop when I get home and post it later.

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64 Val Signet 200 Vert

I thought the FSM said "heavy duty brake fluid", but I like the idea of trans fluid. It's thicker. I'll try it. Thanks Charlie.

James, I would appreciate that info if you can find it. I could use the new rubber feet too. Thanks.

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'63 Valiant V200 Convertible
225 Aluminum Block

finally got around to digging the invoice out of my file cabinet.

the place is called:

Convertible Service
5126 Walnut Grove Ave
San Gabriel, CA 91776
order 800-333-1140
technical info 626-285-2255
http://www.convertibleparts.com/

I bought the parts in July of 2001 and paid $15.00 for the rebuild kit and $9.95 to ship it. Looks like the kit is now listed on their website for $23 and change.

No part number on the invoice other than a description that reads "Restoration kit, 12V pump motor.

Just tell 'em what you have and I'm sure they will take care of you.

Good luck.

James.

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64 Val Signet 200 Vert

I wasn't sure, so I looked in my 1966 FSM. That is where they said auto trans fluid.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

James, thanks for the info. Ordered my repair kit today.

Charlie. I checked my 63 FSM and in Chapter 23 it says "use heavy duty brake fluid". I couldn't find any other info in the book. Any other thoughts out there?

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'63 Valiant V200 Convertible
225 Aluminum Block

My '64 specifies ATF.

I would ask where you got the repair parts, what they reccommend. I bet they have a lot more experiance then we do.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I don't know anything about convertible tops but I can tell you this. If you cahnge from brake fluid to ATF or any other oil based fluid be sure to thoroughly clean all the old fluid out of the sytem and get it dry. Brake fluid and petroleum based oils are not compatible and the combination will destroy any rubber parts.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

Talked to Mark at the Convertible Top place where I ordered the repair kit.

He says the car came from the factory with brake fluid, but if I get all of the brake fluid out of the system I can switch to Dexron III auto trans fluid. I believe the auto trans fluid, after a complete flush, is where I'm going. Thanks to all.

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'63 Valiant V200 Convertible
225 Aluminum Block

Update:

Received my pump/motor, lines, and cylinders off of ebay. The motor and pumped worked. Installed. Blew a gasket on the reservoir. Had a rebuild kit with new gasket. Installed using trans fluid, as stated right on the reservoir of the 1964 unit, tested and all is well.

Thanks for the info and advice.

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'63 Valiant V200 Convertible
225 Aluminum Block

i used an 80's lebaron pump and 4 rams. cut the butts off and threaded them and now it shoots rams fom above and below. atf does not wreck the paint like brakke fluid.

btw, nice 63! mines green and a 63

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63 valient 4 speed over drive, holly 390, dutra duals, power steering, ac, hydraulic roof, KH 4 piston disks, kyb gas adjust all round, sway bars front and rear, 8 3/4 rear axcel and the ugliest green you ever saw