Anyone find anything on how water evacuation is handled on our A body cars? What about improvements or mods that could ensure an extended rust free existence?
These cars had LOTS of provisions already from an engineering/design point of view. They had the cowl area for draining stuff around the windshield. Water troughs above the windows,for rain coming down from the roof. The regular holes in the doors, and proper evacuvation from water collected in the doors. The trunk has two "braces" on either side that look almost like fins, and that area to the side streches forward up to the front of the quarter, these help with "venting" any excess moisture. Pretty well all wiring is hidden from water draining down onto it. Thats all i can think of, im sure theres design features also, into how the water drains away. For example, if its on the roof, it tends to go towards the troughs rather than the front or rear. Really the only problem is your rear window. Water tended to "collect" at the bottom, and rust through to the trunk. The prevention is to fill it with "tar" or similar insulation. Ive found it works really well, because you remove the area for the water to collect. Otherwise you shouldnt have any problems, unless you have rust issues, or rusty floors. If youre having problems, post them. Otherwise, the rear window tar, and regular undercoating has kept my cars from rusting any further.
Thanks. Was concerned with the seam at bottom of the door, where the skin is folded over towards the inside. Also if you follow that seam back to where it meets with the vertical seam you will find a tear drop type hole in the corner...does it do anything...maybe I can find some pics. Also if I had a good sense of how things flowed I could make sure no passages are blocked. I have been blowing out the rear moulding area with compressed air after each wash.Always seem to have dirt or crap coming out with the water. Have a friend who filled with window urathane sealer then put a small tube in each corner under the moulding which were connected to the inner fender well. Essentialy drilled a hole through inner wheel well to evacuate water.
You can use a stick, brush, pipe cleaner or something to clean any tree debris out of the drain holes so water will not pool (the bottom of the doors and fenders will collect this debris so these areas will stay wet and then rust). Mike
Those are the drain holes for the door. They are easily clogged if you dont clean them. Most cars ive owned have never been cleaned there, and its just ancient dust creating a plug. But sounds like youre keeping up with the maintainance. The drain hole idea is actually pretty common now in some newer convertibles, but i dont know if id want to drill holes in my car. The tar i put in there worked great. I kinda filled it up as much as i could, and then "pressed" the stainless in there, for a tight seal. Also, another trick i use, is i park on a slight grade, and pour a bit of tranny fluid into the door once a year. it will basically undercoat the inside of your door at the bottom where you are concerned. However, keep in mind that most oils "float" on water. Which is why professional undercoating like Krown is worth the $$$. It sinks, and stays in contact with the metal.
Thanks guys. The attached picture shows a problem that has since been repaired. I cracked open that seem, cleaned it out, sealed it, touched up and then poured some por 15 inside my door and spread it around. That area I circled...Water should drain from there? If yes looks like I have an issue that needs to be adressed.
I think youre ok there. The drain holes are towards the middle possibly front of door? Dont quote me on that... If i saw it, i could point it out.
I think you are referring to the rubber strips that loosely cover the drain holes at the bottom of the doors. The bottom dr lip is positioned lower than those drain holes.
