Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

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Tom Keating
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#16 Post by Tom Keating »

When doing service work on a sunroof, be sure to clean out the old grease from the gearbox. It may have 55 year old grease. Use new grease & it may work a lot better.
Tom Keating
1964 356C Sunroof

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Steve Hatfield
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#17 Post by Steve Hatfield »

12v motors are available on the used market. They look exactly like the 6v version, not the 911/912 type. Try our own classifieds.

I agree, the hardest part to find is the correct white rubber plug covering the emergency manual operation option.

A common mistake made during restorations involving headliner replacement is allowing the fabric to extend into the meeting of the fixed rails and the inner panel which rides with the outer panel. By not trimming the edges well clear of the rail channel, binding results which strains the motor, drive shaft and gearbox, begging further problems. This crucial interface is not visible at all with the sunroof closed and is not present and visible when open. By keeping fabric well clear and lubing the mating surfaces here, barring other issues, smooth and relatively quiet operation will result.
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe

Doug Thomson
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#18 Post by Doug Thomson »

Steve, I'm redoing my '64 sc sunroof headliner and I'm not sure I understand which rails I shouldn't be extending to? Not to extend past the inner lower surface up over the rail which the alu track screws to and which forms the sunroof gutter? Extend over #2 not #3?
Sunroof rails_0001.jpg
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Doug Thomson

jule block
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#19 Post by jule block »

I think Steve is referencing the inner sliding headliner panel in the rails and not the fixed part of the headliner. I know when doing mine that the inner panel doesn't slide very easily in the channel if there is any extra headliner material.

Doug Thomson
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#20 Post by Doug Thomson »

Of course. Thanks Jule I am so obsessed with the headlined inside the body I forgot that there is another piece.
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Steve Hatfield
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#21 Post by Steve Hatfield »

Doug,Jule.
Thats what I was pointing out. Seems obvious now but sometimes in the heat and excitement of anticipation, the obvious is not always that apparent. I installed my s/r with little input from others and therefore’learned’ the expensive way. Took me three headliners to break the code but finally got it right.

Another point to consider:
When installing the motor, take the time and patience to: 1) make sure the attachments to the chassis are oriented per the line drawing and 2) insulate the motor from the mount and chassis surround with some thin sponge rubber (i.e. sacrificial work out mat, etc. makes for a much muffled operation.
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe

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Martin Benade
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#22 Post by Martin Benade »

“Sacrificial workout mat” is for some kind of human sacrifice/workout program? Scary!
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna

Doug Thomson
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#23 Post by Doug Thomson »

Steve you've been very helpful. I am not sure I understand completely, the mounts for the motor are rubber insulated already. Are you saying that in addition to the rubber motor mounts I should insulate around the motor?

Also It seems that with the older sunroofs there is an L bracket welded to the rear cross brace which is used to supports the rear end of the aluminum track. My car, '64 sc, does not have this bracket. It does have these plastic things which fit into a hole in the rear of the cross base. Does it replace the need for the L bracket?

My Car
100_1742.JPG
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Doug Thomson

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Steve Hatfield
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#24 Post by Steve Hatfield »

Doug
The rubber shock mounts supporting the motor don’t do much in isolating the growl of the motor because sound and vibration are transmitted to the frame by motor contact with the sheet metal bracing adjacent to the motor and by transmission through the flex shaft to the gearbox.

As to your earlier q on rails, I was referring only to the extruded aluminum side pieces in which both the roof panel and inner headliner panel ride.

Finally, your last with photos refers to L shaped brackets which I am not familiar with. My car is an early ‘63 and I don’t recall this in that application. Maybe someone else can comment.
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe

jule block
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#25 Post by jule block »

My 62 has the same plastic piece you have pictured going into the brace in back. It was easier for me to put the plastic piece in the rail and then find the hole in back when I put my rail in as it fit tight in the rail and not so much in the brace.

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Steve Hatfield
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#26 Post by Steve Hatfield »

I agree. I didn’t recognize the part as mine was installed into the rail ends on both sides ad Jule has described.
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#27 Post by Mike Wilson »

Steve Hatfield et al: Golde sunroof cap available from Aase.

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Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Steve Hatfield
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#28 Post by Steve Hatfield »

Mike et al: the AASE Golde cap is sold out. Maybe a restock in time.
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#29 Post by Mike Wilson »

Fingers crossed for you, et al! 😄

Mike
Mike Wilson
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'63 B coupe

Doug Thomson
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Re: Help with an electric sunroof needed on a 64 356C Coupe

#30 Post by Doug Thomson »

I am just getting around to redoing the sliding headliner panel and I saw a photo on another thread which shows some kind of cushion on the top rear cross brace of the headliner panel. Does anyone know what it is , what is it's function and what is it's dimensions? Any suggestions on what could replace it?
_2 Frame Rear Crossmember Measurements.jpg
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Doug Thomson

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