Got to check another step off the list....changing the drain tubes for the rear plenum.....both tubes were rotted and draining directly into the car.............. yikes!

1- used a small grinder wheel and took off the top of the rivets for removal
2- scrapped and peeled off old decayed rubber
3- replaced new tubes using stainless steel panhead bolts, washers and self locking nuts, seemed much easier than trying to get in there with a rivet gun.

here are some pics

 

I had the same issue that I addressed last month. My 69 that I recently purchased had rotted drain tubes resulting in water damage inside. Had to replace all the carpeting and rear compartment doors and hardware. PITA to grind off the tube hardware but finally addressed.

 

Thanks 73! Now I have something to ADD to my list!!!

Nice job & I agree with the SS bolts & nuts.

 

My guess is a LOT of small window C3 owners aren't even aware that there are drains back there.... and wonder where the heck the water is coming from.......I'm sure almost ALL the older cars tubes have rotted and cracked, its just the nature of the beast. Repairs are not that bad..sure beats the heck out of new carpet and storage doors!

 

sorry go vette go ... it really isn't that bad... just a little TLC
It was WAY more work getting all that Dynamat in those cracks and crevices!

 

I have my rubber boots to do this job along with new stainless steel covers, just haven't done this job yet. I too had thought about using bolts instead of pop rivets to hold them on. My reasoning was that since both of my original metal covers were long gone when I bought the car, the extended rivet in the wheel well met one too many rocks and they just broke off and the metal plate fell off on some dusty road. So that got me thinking of maybe using something stronger than the pop rivets to hold them on, just like you used, panhead bolts. I figure there is less surface area for rocks to catch on to cause them to break off.

 

The sizes posted above worked perfect....

I only used the washers on the inside...

 

I just finished mine on the 72 this afternoon. I used pops and they worked fine. Cheap insurance when ever redoing the interior.
Mike