Anybody have any pearls of wisdom about replacing the rag top on a 70 2+2 convertible. I already asked someone and they gave me good info about new side cables, new frame top pads, new tacking strip then they got on about if the curtain is not damged or releasing from the glass then you should be able to use it. what i don't understand is. my glass is good, but what ever holds it in the top has come apart and is only glued along the top edge of the glass. is it glued in or is it in a pocket or what? what is the curtain? any thoughts. help

on the a-bodies , the glass back window is sewn into the vinyl and attached to the frame work. you end up buying a new back window sewn in to the new material. Because of the way the top fits, you really don't see that window portion, but it has to be replaced with new. on the A-body , the back window/ vinyl gets fit and attached first, the only part that is visible after is the piece below the window. then the top is attached. you'll end up buying a new back window, it will already be fit to the vinyl . glued and sewn. I'm sure the B-body will be muc the same.

I presume the rear window is glass like in my 2+2.  The rear window is sealed in what I call a 'bag', which sounds like what your buddy is calling the curtain.  You cannot just change the window, you have to change the whole bag/curtain. 

The top on my car was changed in the early 80's, but the original pads and rear window were re-used at that time.   The material above the rear window was deteriorating, and had split shortly after I got the car in 2001.   I had it patched a couple years later, but I knew it was a temporary solution (sound exactly the same as what's happened on your car). 

When I had a hailstone come through my roof in 2006, insurance paid for part of the new top, but it was also time to have the rear window, pads and well liner replaced.  The rear window costs about the same as the top.  Pads, well liner, cables etc are cheap.  And yes, change the cables while you're at it.