So I'm assuming I've got a leak somewhere, or a clogged drain, or both. There's some water in both wells and up on the flat part of the trunk, too. I've only owned the car a couple weeks, so I'm not super familiar with the layout. What do you all suggest I check?
First what's the condition of the weather strip on the trunk opening. If it's shot then that's likely your leak source. Otherwise take a garden hose and with the trunk open, carefully pour water all around the opening and see if the leak shows itself. You should put the top up for that so you can pour water on it by the trunk to see if that's the source.
Thanks Walter, I'll give that a try tonight. Weatherstrip around the trunk is in really good shape, but I'll inspect it closely.
Make sure your trunk lid drains are not clogged. The 71's have louvers in the lid, and drains at the base of the can clog.
The rear glass is also a potential leak source. Good luck and hopefully you found it soon enough to prevent major rust damage!
What about the 1 year only '71 trunk vents? I though GM eliminated the vents for '72 because of the leaks.
I found this article in Popular Science Magazine (July 1971) about the model year 1972 GM cars. Also: alarming news for the Camaro and Firebird....
Its a Vert? There is a trough in the top well that catches any water that runs down the back glass and then channels it into drains that exit under the car below the 1/4 glass. I found them rotted in the 66 when I had the top done. Repaired with fiberglass cloth and resin
Super Vega? We know how that turned out. A lot of time and money spent, on a garbage aluminum four (with no liners), when they had an IRON four already on the shelf. Idiots. Believe there were two different trunk lids on the '71 Impala, with differing numbers of louvers. Had one (don't remember which type) 12-15 years ago. It sold very quickly, when listed.
At the shop where I worked we would get in the trunk with a flashlight and run water starting low and work up. You will find your leak very quickly this way.. Often the older cars had several leaking issues. GM cars and especially convertibles were made to leak. It's almost always the trunk seal and/ or around the rear window area that leaks.
Yep, here are the two types: Also a change in louvres for 1971 B-body Buicks: Not sure if Chevy also had this, but early 1971 production full size Buicks had also louvres at the front Electra with louvres: 71 Electra without the louvres:
