Recently replaced weatherstrip rubber over doors of 2 door hardtop. All other rubber and seals look good but after a good rain I found wet carpets on both driver and front seat passenger floors. Any suggestions on how to water tighten the situation based on experience with this model? Thanks, JB
Windshield, vent windows or behind the kick panels are possibilities. If you had the windows up. And when did it rain in Texas?
Get in the vehicle and someone hose the car down. When I had a '63, water was coming in from the 1/4 windows.
I had my front and rear windows removed and re-sealed. After about 3 years, water was seeping in at the top of the front windshield. If the car was moving, it was fine. Only when sitting.
Likely rust around lower edge of windshield on the inside. You may not be able to see it. I've seen 60s Impalas rusted through all the way across the cowl.
i know this much... if you let that water sit in there and go sour, it will stink for a good long time.
In my experience with 60's Chevies, there are a hundred places in the cowl area for water to leak in. They most all have to do with rust holes or dried up/missing weather stripping. Was you car rusty in the floor? Then it probably has rust under the trim around the windshield and in the lower cowl vent areas. Has it always been a hot Texas car? Then the seam sealers are probably dried and flaking away from joints in the vent areas. Have you reached in and cleared all the old leaves and dirt from the vent ducts? If they plug up the bottom drains the water will then have to find another way out. Make sure the wing window rubbers are still sealing tight and are flexible.
Good things to look into. I'm replacing weather-stripping now and will move onto windshield and back glass rubbers next. This original unrestored sport coupe was driven by the same man who bought it in Pearland almost 48 years ago until about 2007. It's been in a barn since and I get the pleasure of getting it roadworthy again. Thanks for the insight, JB
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