It's been 15 yrs since I had my 67' SS Impala convert. but mind had a
electric motor with two flex cables out both ends that were driving two
jack-screw rams. The motor was mounted on the kickup in the trunk. A
long time ago someone told me that not too many makers used Hyd.pumps
because if you sprung a leak under pressure you would have a BIG mess
on everybody and everything. If yours has a pump I would think that you
could fill it like a power steering pump. Have you taken a look at it?

Rick

First of all, I am ASSuming that this uses the same type pump as a
Studebaker; I know Cadillac does.  I don't have any experience with
Chevy convertibles.

OK then...  personally I would *replace* the pump if it is leaking at
all, because AFAIK most hydraulic top systems were filled with DOT3
brake fluid, which will eat your paint if it's leaking.  I think you
can get a new pump from Hydro-E-Lectric (sp?) for a couple hundred
bucks.

Then, to fill...  there should be a fill plug on the end of the
reservoir, remove that, then take a funnel with a hose firmly shoved on
it and fill through that.  Keep a towel under the pump to catch any
overflow.  Once it's full, reinstall the plug and run the top up and
down a couple times.  Check the level again and refill as necessary.
Lather, rinse, repeat until the level does not drop.  Clean up any
spilled brake fluid to save your paint.

Some people flush the system and use ATF instead of brake fluid because
ATF won't eat the paint; I can't comment whether or not that's a good
idea.

good luck,

nate

Figure out if it has brake fluid or PS fluid in the system.  Original
was brake fluid though most everyone uses  power steering fluid now
even in the systems designed for brake fluid.  The easiest way to add
fluid is to pull the back seat and you will find the pump on a shelf
in the middle of the seat back.  You may be able to get it from the
trunk if your skinny and nimble. It has a fill port on the pump.
Couple words of caution.... Don't run the pump with the fill plug out
and don't over fill the system.

Your system doesn't "get low".  It is leaking.  Quite often the ends
of the hydraulic rams leak.  You can get these or any other parts you
need from http://www.hydroe.com/ .  He is a great guy to deal with and
has everything for convertibles that you can imagine.

                  Steve B.