I've had the hold down strips on and off the roof a few times now, refining the position and comparing to my old '82 westy. I have been going back and forth on where to take measurements, either from the ends of the roof top raised areas, or the hold down strips when they are laid down and aligned, or even to the gutter (not really that good a datum point).

Measuring the old '82 westy hold down strips, side to side, shows a little bit of misalignment. 

So I have been sort averaging all the measurements, and I think, I hope, I have a pretty good line drawn on the roof top now. I found a dinner plate that has a radius pretty darn close to the factory radius at the front of the hole. I'll use the same radius for now at the rear of the hole and see how it looks there after all is cut out.

alistair

On 2011-07-18, at 8:15 PM, mark drillock wrote:

> If you very carefully install the canvas hold down strips on the roof first it will be more obvious if the large hole marking is off. You should install the strips and all the many screws for them once before you install the canvas anyway. This is a good time to do so.
> 
> Mark
> 
> Alistair Bell wrote:
>> I'm so slow, and I procrastinate, but today I drilled the tin top for the pop top hinges (and backing plate), marked out the cut lines and the canvas securing track on the roof, and cut the headliner a bit to pull the insulation. I think I'll be cutting the big hole tomorrow.
>> 
>> I must have measured everything at least 4 times, but I am still uneasy :)
>> 
>> pics of today's work here (and some pics of my home made "jack bombay" pop top assist strut assemblies)
>> 
>> http://shufti.wordpress.com/
>> 
>> 
>> alistair
>>