Rain & open top/engine cars..

Maybe carry a can of WD-40 to dry out the ignition if that HEI starts to misfire due to moisture?

 

1st, carpets don't belong in hot rods.... so don't go there. 2nd, paint your wood with a nice oil based black paint, stops warpage.

I personally feel your not truly living till your staring death in the face... I've done 80 on our highway's in the dark, pouring rain, lightning, in a roadster with no windscreen... fun fun fun!

I don't suggest it, but it is hair raising and fun!

 

My austin has a louvered hood. the rain used to kill the datsun 4 banger it had. We kept plastic sheet in the trunk to wrap around the hood in a rain storm.

 

Dress like this...



To answer the "Marine grade vinyl" question,Look at the average boat interior. My Dad still has the original interior in his boat,and it's a '78!

 

Your going to get wet. I would worry more about staying under control if you have the typical huge rear tires. Hrdroplaning isn't fun. I once drove for miles with my right side rubber off the pavement to stay under control.

 

Nowhere near huge - it's not a fad T by any stretch.

 

I use a good set of gl*** lense British motor cycle goggles in heavy rain. Drain holes in the floor. Chrysler marine sparkplug boots on my flathead 6. No problems, just like a bike ride in the rain.

 

I was in the OT company car and it sputtered and died due to running through mud puddles. I smeared silicone grease inside the distributer cap (except for the exposed metal tabs) and that kept the spark from jumping places it shouldn't have. I think the thickness of the grease sealed the cap also.

Make sure you use silicone GREASE, not sealant/gasket maker/ monkey *#!!

 

My many rainy excursions in the Peter Beater helped me realize one thing.....go faster. The faster ya go, the drier you stay.

 

I like that, would be a good one for the cops.

Officer: Why were you doing 83 in a 55?

Me: Trying to stay dry.

 

It works. One year on the way to frankenmuth in a torrential downpour, Fast Eddie in his T and me in mine....prolly 100mph up I475. Lost our group quick. The guys said all they could see was a wall of water as we rolled side by side. Fun times.

 

Gotta be better than riding my hardtail springer with no front fender in the rain, hangin off to the side of the bike so I can see past the spray. Had to do that 300 miles one day to get home. So that's how I got a krick in my neck, what's your excuse? Just mush on and if it quits, fix it.

 

I'll have to add that to my ****nal of excuses for cops

 

Man, weird I said this yesterday... I had to stop by a friends shop yesterday to pick up a early 1900's Exselsior motor for display. While there, he asked if I could help sell his partners 30 sedan G***er. I replied sure, I'll bring it to motor Speedway and display it and try to sell. So I jumped in and flew down the highway... It had a carpet, ...had a carpet. On the way there, my feet got tangled in the dumb thing... like I said, had a carpet!

 

There's no such thing as "waterproof." However, that stuff will help resist troubles moisture can make. I used it in my OT 4x and I think it may have helped... I don't know, I never had a problem.

 

I have been running a T for the last seven years. No windshield, blown with a forward facing scoop on it and have never had a motor problem driving in the rain.
Yes it does sting and actually hurts if you get in a rain with the big drops. I always wear a set of motorcycle gl***es, but the top of your forehead will get hit and that is where it hurts the most.
I have found that it is best to keep going if you are comfortable with it, even small rear tires will hydroplane in a good rain. I have never lost it but you just have to be ready for the big puddles.
There is no way to keep the car dry that I have found. Made a trip two years ago to a show and drove for 60 miles in a downpour. The only place that was dry was the small of my back.
The car dripped water out of it for two days after that. I dried the cushions and mexican blanket that I use for a seat cover. It has out door carpet in it and I have several 1/2" drain holes in the front and back of the body.
Just drive and enjoy, rain makes for an adventure.
Robert

 

I love the "drive through it" responses, that is 100% what I wanted to do and you guys gave me a bit more confidence - thanks!

 

I have driven 300 miles in torrential rain with no problem. And my distributor is in the front of my engine.

 

My roof is done in off white marine grade vinyl tuck and roll as well as the interior. been through a bunch of rain in it........it dries out.





I did find out a few weeks ago from a guy who does motorcycle seats that you should NEVER use Simple green on vinyl. It dries out the oils in the material and will cause it to dry rot.

 

Yea been there done that I've driven in the rain 10 hours at a shot on the cycle. Once gave my empty coffee cup at a rest stop to a guy in a roadster to bail out the interior, he forgot to drill drain holes.

 

Keep a bottle of blackberry brandy under the seat.
Find an overp***, enjoy the rain

 

Good one!