We got trapped on an island off Cape Hetaeras over the holiday. There was a big storm the night before we were scheduled to leave. The island we were on was okay, but the next island had water a foot deep down Main Street. We got about a half mile down the road before we decided to turn back because the water was about an inch deep in the passenger compartment.

We waited back on our first island for four hours and then started out again. This time the water was down to about 6 or 8 inches. We forged on through the water. Picture this, the Vette, with a four inch clearance, is plowing through this water at 4-6 MPH, throwing up a huge wake on either side of the car. SUVs and trucks coming from the other direction were taking pictures of the Vette as is forced its way down Main Street. :o

This went on for about three miles before we got to a causeway and off that island. We encountered some more water on other islands, but nothing that bad.

This was the first big trip on my ’93 LT-1 engine that I just rebuilt, so the whole darn thing was scary. We still had to drive eleven hours on the expressway to get home.

Now the big question, what damage may have occurred? I can assume wheel bearings need to be repacked. But what about the automatic transmission? And, what else am I not thinking about?


Any thoughts?

 

First off...DAMN, you're a gutsy SOB!!!

Your intake should have been scooping water in like a snowplow. Amazing you didn't blow that engine or at the very least swamp your opti.

Since you made it home all the way to GA, I'd guess you're ok. Your wheel bearings are sealed. There's no repacking them, so if you're not hearing anything, I'd guess they're good as well. You might want to check your air pump in the front left well just forward of the left wheel. It may have taken on water which would simply sit there if it's not turned, emptied and dried.

Simply amazing