1959 convertible top pump questions.

[Bill Caddyshack]

My 1959 top was moving slowly, and quit going up w/o assistance. I pulled the cover and had a look. THe pump is 11.5 inches long and 3 inches in diameter. It does not fit the original mounting holes which are about 2 inches shorter. The person who installed this pump solved the problem by only mounting the two screws in the hydraulic pump end, leaving the electric motor end to flop around.

I made some new holes, some new grommets. Attached the motor end to the car body. Still did not work well.

So I pulled the plug (screw) to check the level of fluid. It is low and appears to be brake or hydraulic fluid as  it is a sort of very pale  yellow color, not red. it also seems thicker than brake fluid or ATF.

Should I somehow drain and flush the system? Or just add some brake fluid?

How would I drain it? Looks like I would need to pull the cylinders and the pump at the same time.

The pump is noisey, but seems to be spinning well. I guess there is a possibility the pump motor is frelled and I may need another motor.

[Quentin Hall]

G'day Bill, If it is yellow and viscous like honey then it sounds like hydraulic oil. These are a pain to fill. I used to turn my pump on it's side and use a squeeze bottle with a tube attached. Best having the top raised so the fluid is in the rams but don't over fill it . Sometimes best to top up and then lower and raise top again to get rid of cavitation. . . . and then top up again. . . . but again don't overfill. Q