Wet Feet - Help
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Kilmarnock AYRSHIRE
Wet Feet - Help
First vette - First { Not really ! } ProblemMy 1970 coupe is giving my feet a bath when it rains but not the passenger side .
Water starts to drip from behind the lower dash panel near the fuse box .
It happens almost straight away and I think it must be getting in from the wiper well area .
Before I try too take off the the wiper door , without breaking it , has anyone got any suggestions on where too look and what the problem might be ?
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyboby and hope you got your lump of coal and a "wee dram" tae see in the new year
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Water can come in thru the upper windshield frame between the chrome moulding and the trim around the windshield. The water can then make its way to your pants leg. (This is also the cause of "birdcage rot".) Anyhow, I had a similar problem and solved it by sealing the cap with silicone. However, I have since learned that silicone can be a rust catalyst and that butyl caulk would be the sealant of choice.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by page62
I had a similar problem and solved it by sealing the cap with silicone. However, I have since learned that silicone can be a rust catalyst and that butyl caulk would be the sealant of choice.
??? never heard that before, why is a silicone a rust catalyst?
thks bob
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
I am just finishing up my body off. I can tell you mine did the same thing. I had rotting corners and the firewall was splitting away from the birdcage. I would remove the wiper door and check the seam along the edge... (below windshield) If your feet are getting wet this is most likely the culprit. If the carpet is getting soaked... get ready to start cutting fenders....
Cannot comfirm or deny the allegations of silcone caulk and rust relationship. I didn't inhale or dodge the draft either... hahahahaha
Cannot comfirm or deny the allegations of silcone caulk and rust relationship. I didn't inhale or dodge the draft either... hahahahaha
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by Mr.Gearhead
Cannot comfirm or deny the allegations of silcone caulk and rust relationship. I didn't inhale or dodge the draft either... hahahahaha
do you know what the definition of "is" is...
if so its more then a past president...
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jan 1, 2005 at 10:49 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
silicone either encapsulates or absorbs water, can't remember which. Either way, in the right situation it can accelerate rust damage.
I had the same problem as you, it came in through the myriad of cracks in the wiper well. I had cracks on both sides and ended up with inches of water in a hard rain! I sealed mine using an "automotive sealer" whatever that was. You might want to find something waterproof that you can spray over the entire wiper channel area instead.
-Chris
I had the same problem as you, it came in through the myriad of cracks in the wiper well. I had cracks on both sides and ended up with inches of water in a hard rain! I sealed mine using an "automotive sealer" whatever that was. You might want to find something waterproof that you can spray over the entire wiper channel area instead.
-Chris
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by LiveandLetDrive
silicone either encapsulates or absorbs water, can't remember which. Either way, in the right situation it can accelerate rust damage.
I had the same problem as you, it came in through the myriad of cracks in the wiper well. I had cracks on both sides and ended up with inches of water in a hard rain! I sealed mine using an "automotive sealer" whatever that was. You might want to find something waterproof that you can spray over the entire wiper channel area instead.
-Chris
I had the same problem as you, it came in through the myriad of cracks in the wiper well. I had cracks on both sides and ended up with inches of water in a hard rain! I sealed mine using an "automotive sealer" whatever that was. You might want to find something waterproof that you can spray over the entire wiper channel area instead.
-Chris
can't see it absorping water but i defintely can see it encapsulating it....
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
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New England Events Coordinator
Wet Feet - Help
You may want to purchase "Corevtte Water Leaks and Wind Noise Solutions" by Michael J. Davis. And as many have indicated there are many causes for water leaks and some serious corrective measures. I had the passenger side pool (2 1/2 inches) water problem. And the solution was to remove the kick panel and the air vent door. Behind the door is a drain hole that was plugged with dirt and debris. Althopugh I haven't tested the solution yet I do believe this was the problem. Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Originally Posted by page62
Silicone seal is not the rust catalyst per se. But it uses vinegar as a curing agent (go smell the stuff) and that's what likes to get rust going...
Find a good inert sealant like the butyl mastic mentioned.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: North Bend Ohio
If you take off the passenger side dash where the map pockets are you'll see a small hole about 3/8" in diameter. This hole used to be plugged with some sort of puddy that eventually turned to powder. This hole needs to be welded shut. By the way this is from Davis's book.
Hope this helps.
BigBlockk
Later.....
Hope this helps.
BigBlockk
Later.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Go to any GOOD auto store and buy FIREWALL sealer. The stuff is awesome and PAINTABLE. It spreads nice and cleans up even better. You really need to get under the dash and have someone spray water. Find the leaks and fix them... either now... or later.... Trust us... later is not something to look forward to doing....
