Our tech gallery will start with canopy lift options and there are many.  We have had many discussions about what the best solution is.  I will list out the options and weigh the pros and cons of each.
Bumper details, We hear you can add this Porsche bumper to the front of your Sterling
Discussion and details about the canopy lift systems
Here are a few pictures from Dan McGee's Sterling.  He is adding on the side vent air scoops.  They will grab more air and help keep the rain out.  (now in stock)
Sterling Sports Cars, LLC. Copyright protected and Registered Trademark
Discussion and details about the new air intake hood for AC and front radiator
1983-84 had these bumpers, this tip from Warren Daugherty of Sterling Central
Ground effects see protoypes and designs here.

There lower ground effects, NEW great for hiding the drop floor pans
(Part number FG-330) See our on-line store

Chuck Suess suggests to using these
quick escape pins for your hydraulics or Actuators 
I do have a source for these original gas springs, I just need to test them out.

Information here is from the manufacture of the Hydraulic Power units.  They are assembled complete at our factory are supplied with proper amount of fluid. System is purged to eliminate all air pockets and tested for proper operation.
Where individual motor/pumps are supplied for customer installation of hoses and/or cylinders the following procedures are recommended:
 1. Use high grade light industrial white (mineral) oil or Dextron II Transmission Fluid in system.

2. Place cylinders in vertical position with piston rod end up and piston rod fully retracted. Completely fill piston end of cylinder with fluid. Cylinder may be tilted to facilitate filling.

3. Completely assemble all hose assemblies to motor/pump and cylinders making sure all threaded ports have seal ring in place. All fittings must be firmly seated in threaded ports.

4. Fill reservoir up to level of fill hole or approximately 3/4 full if pump is in vertical position.

5. Disconnect, at pump, retraction hose assembly (which is attached to piston rod end of cylinders).

6. Plug this port to completely exclude air.

7. Hold the open hose port at reservoir opening and actuate pump to extended cylinders until no air is evident in the fluid stream. Full extension of rod should not be necessary.

8. Shut off pump, remove plug, and reconnect hose assembly to pump port.

9. Stand cylinders on opposite end (rod end down).

10. Disconnect, at pump, extension hose assembly (which is attached to cylinder at end opposite piston rod) and follow same procedure as outlined in notes 6 through 8 except full retraction is necessary.

11. Operate all cylinders to full extension and retraction two or three times observing for evidence of air in system. Air can be noted by periodic noise in motor/pump and/or excessive foaming of fluid in reservoir.

12. If air is evident, recycle cylinders several times. If this does not eliminate air, repeat complete procedure making sure all seals are in place and fittings are tight.

13. Check level of fluid in reservoir with motor pump in horizontal position. Level should be even with fill hole. Assemble plug with O-ring seal in fill hole.

We now have scoop covers for the other two air intake locations on the Sterling, See the Sterling Store for details.
Its a good idea to replace your
old nylon hinge bushings also to
make certain your top moves freely.
see company store for the replaement kit.  Sterling New Parts Shop
We have a few Sterling air intake hood designs. This is one of them.
Tech Tips

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Discussion and details about the side air scoops, add on
We now have three scoop cover kits for the Sterling air intakes
We are making the custom hoods by hand because there are so many variations on radiator size and location.  We make special hoods that can be cut and modified.