1970 Chrysler 300 convertible top too tight

[ppsi]

I had the top replaced well over a year ago on a 1970 300. The car went directly into the garage with the top down. I wanted to do several things to the car and have completed them however the top seem way too tight. I cannot latch it and have found that the the installer broke one of the latch hinges and also broke one of the bolts on one of the main mounts. I am not interested in bringing it back to this person. Right now I have it so the top is hooked at the latches hoping it will stretch over time. I've not had a day where I can put the car in hot sun to help stretch it so is there any other method I can use to help? The top is so tight that the rails are more than 1" from the glass. I did all the adjustments in the FSM other than the "Stack Height" which is done at the rear mounts. I don't understand what stack height refers to so if someone knows and could pass the meaning on I would greatly appreciate this as I would any advice on getting the top to fit properly.
Thanks-Howard

 

[jaws]

Just need to wait till you can get it out side in the sun. You don't want to park them for any length with the top down.

 

[MOBodyman]

They definately seem to shrink up some if left down for long peroids of time. Is there any way you can safely blow some heat in it for awhile?
I tend to leave the tops down on the 'verts I've owned also. Probably not the best idea but I just hate to run them up and down all the time. I had a Challenger 'vert that had a very old top on it. It was tight as a drum when latched. If I left it down for a few months it took 3 people to latch it, one on each side to push it down, and someone inside to work the latches. I always figured the top would split or I would break a latch but I never did.
Dallas

 

[ppsi]

I can put my shop heater in the garage. It will make the garage the 300 is in hot in no time without blowing hot air on the top itself. I will give this a try. I know the top was very tight because when we got it back (I should have inspected things better) I realized the installer had broken the "pin" that is inside one of the latches. It was a real PIA to repair and I don't want to put that kind of pressure on the latches. I can see by the design that they were not meant to have a huge amount of weight pushing them up. There is a fair amount of pot metal and if it breaks I am screwed.
Thanks-Howard