So, after being on this forum for a long time, I have actually bought the car that my name implies I've "lusted after."

Last night I bought a 76 L48 for 5k that seemed pretty good to go in most categories.

I was pressure washing the bottom today after discovering lots of scattered oil spots under the car. The previous owner mentioned he had recently replaced the valve cover gasket and after closer (post-purchase) inspection I discovered that oil was "mudded up" all over the place and I think my long drive home had just liquified it from the heat... that and his valve cover gasket job didn't fix the leak because the rubber gasket slid when he installed the cover I suppose.

Anyway, when I was jacking it up to wash the bottom I saw a low-viscosity drip from the back end that I was sure would be gas from the tank. I inspected the drip and found it to be water and then noticed that it was coming from what seemed to be a pencil sized hole in the bottom of the body (I guess it COULDN't have been the gas tank or it would be leaking actual gas) that seemed to be half-*** plugged 10 years ago by some silicon. I fiddled with it, the silicon came off, and then at least 1.5 liters of what came out...not at a drip...but at a pour.

I'm curious where the heck this water could have come from, how that much could "pool up" un-noticed, and what I could do about it.

Thanks in advance guys.

.....now, some non-relevent provided info for your entertainment and my self-pity:

Literally an HOUR (and only a few miles down the road) after I bought this car, I was driving it home and I had a blow out on the front right tire. It was more of a tread separation really, and the rubber flapping around freaking destroyed the fender. The blow out was at about 60MPH and I got it to the side of the road under complete control.

It busted up the wheel well, took off chunks of the fender around there, and has actually caused the fender to separate where it attaches to an "anchor point" near the windshield and door which has created a stupid looking gap. Before this, the body was in pretty solid shape for an old car that hadn't been fully resto'd. The guy that sold it to me pointed out the tire before I bought it and advised that I consider replacing it before too long as he thought it was a lower quality tire that was beginning to show the slightest signs of dry rot. I never got the chance. Twenty miles after buying it, it self destructed. There could have been something in the road that served as a catalyst to the tire failure, but who knows. This really soured my feelings about the purchase, but it was really just a stroke of bad luck.

 

Where in the body? Near the battery tray or jack tray? Near the body mounts?

Yes, when tires go on a Corvette they will do alot of body damage. It is always important to make sure your tires are in good shape. At least you were hurt.

 

Fixed it.

Good luck with the car and don't get frustrated.

 

When I bought my 72 the tires looked perfect, with full tread, had no idea they were 12 years old until one of the treads decided to go it's own way. Good job keeping the car under control. When my went at 70 mph, it took about a minute for the whole thing to come off. That sudden 1 wheel braking action as the tread flaps around tearing up the fender was a nightmare.

About the water. Maybe a clogged rear grill area drain?

 

Just bought my 71. Guy owned it for 26 years and maintained the car well. Don't know how old they are but..new shocks and tires coming next week before it hits the road.

Nuff said...safer is better.

 

You have really got my curiosity going about the hole with the silicon plug. Any chance of a photo. On a coupes rear clip there are only three drains that I can think of. One in each fender well draining from the rear deck vents and a third from the fuel tank filler boot that drains through a rubber hose in the center of the rear.

 

Thanks for the replies fellas.

I will see about taking a picture today if I can get to it. Hopefully I will.

To be honest, I'm not sure EXACTLY where it is as of yet. I'm still learning the car. We were about to start hosting a function at our house so I didn't have time to dig into it much after I discovered that it was just water, not gasoline.

I'll try and give y'all more info to work with soon!

 

When I purchased my 68 coupe in July of 1972, the tires looked pretty good, tread wise.
About two years later, on a freeway doing 70, the left rear tire blew and took a small chunk out of my rear fender. The PO had bought RE-CAPPED tires to sell the car. He never said a word about them to me. I had never ever even heard of someone buying tires like that for a car, let alone a sports car.

 

Isn't that beautiful? That really sucks. At least the ol' boy that sold me mine said "hey, consider replacing this soon." I just wish he has said... "Hey, replace this in under 20 miles."

Anyway, I have pictures of the source of the water. I didn't get to investigate it today because I was throwing on new sway bar links and completing some household projects.

You'll notice in the pic towards the top right that there is a little divet / hole poked in whatever that black piece is. Picture taken underneath the passenger side door area.

Thanks.

 

it could be the storage area behind the passenger seat area, but that should not have water in it unless the rear window is leaking. Wash the car and see if the window has leaked any water.

 

Rear window or T-top is probably leaking (maybe both) and if the car sat outside for an extended period of time the passenger storage compartment would retain the water. My '76 had at least 6" of water in this storage compartment. Started to think I bought a Chris Craft not a Corvette.