1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

[lance J]

hi, my 69 350 stingray has some major leaks on it right now.

my biggest problem is with the astro vents. the ones in front just pour water into the car when it rains. im not sure what im looking for, or even how to repair them to stop the leaks.

the vents in back arnt so bad, but they are rusted in the down position so water can come in all the time. how would i go about fixing those so they can close? or at the very least, just have them in the closed position right now.

both of my doors are also holding water in them now. is this just from poor weather stripping or from some other possible problem?

any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks.

[John O.]

Re: 1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

Hi Lance

I can't help you with your first problem. but water in the doors mean your drain holes are plugged.

John

[Jim T.]

Re: 1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

Not sure about the astro vents pouring water, these vents are high. But another thing to check on your 69 is what is in the trough as I will call it. All the stuff throughout the years from the time your car left the factory will accumulate in a void or drain area. Look underneath your car at the area of your fiberglass body where the floor vents are. There is a drain hole located in this area for all of the water from above to drain. Leaves, pine needles, and anything else can accumulate in the cavity and eventually stop the drainage of water. Water can also enter the car from underneath the fiberglass supports at the rear of the top of the fender, wish I could show you some pictures of the hole that is underneath the fiberglass support.

[lance Jaglowski]

Re: 1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

John Orefice - where abouts are the drains your talking about? ive looked over the door on the car, and a service manual for it and see no mention of a door drain.

[lance Jaglowski]

Re: 1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

ok, ill probably jack it up this weekend and take a look.

[John O.]

Re: 1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

Hi Lance

There should be drain holes in the bottom of the doors.Check to see if they are plugged.Or if they got covered over if you had the car painted or any body work done. Feel along under neath the door for holes or indentations of a hole that might of gotten plugged by mud or what ever..But i'm pretty sure all cars have drains. After you solve that problem, you might want to check or replace the rubber on the door that rides against the glass.The water should not be getting through it if it is in good condition. Also, if you have been getting alot of water in your doors, you might want to check in the doors for rust on the metal parts, and maybe lubricate the window mechanism, etc. so they work properly.

P.S. If you don't see or have drain holes, might I suggest that you drill a couple in each door bottom, if you want to get rid of the water.

Good luck...John

[lance Jaglowski]

Re: 1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

ok, ill take a look tomarrow for them.

earlier this evening my dad say he may have glassed over them years ago when the car was pretty beat up, and suggested drilling some holes in it if we cant find the original holes.

i do know there is some rust in the doors, but it doesnt look to be enough to worry about right now.

[John O.]

Re: 1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

Hi Lance

First of all ,look in the assembly manual. That might show locations.

Also, just a crazy thought. If the doors are holding water, is it ALOT of water? I was just wondering if the water was accumilating high in the door and some how seeping through any holes behind the door panel into your floor giving you soaked carpet. Like I said ,just a crazy thought but you never know.

Good Luck...John

[lance Jaglowski]

Re: 1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

that may be part of it, hadnt really thought of that. i know the water has been high enough to pour out from the slots in the door for the lower hinge.

i do know though that the bulk of the water is comeing in through the vents. i laid a house in the trough this weekend and sat inside the car watching it all come in through the vents.

[Mark #28455]

check where the firewall meets the birdcage too *NM*

[Bill B.]

Re: 1969 Interior Leaks. Need some help.

I have owned three C3 vintage cars over the years and each leaked water fairly significantly. The two convertibles were caused by badly rusted windshield frames leaking at the top and migrating through the upper channel and down the side channels--and then on to other places. The coupe leaks started at the top and leaked to the rear so that one was probably weatherstrip? Based on the 72 convertible we are currently restoring, we had to replace the upper and corners of the windshield, all the bottomside seatbelt/seat brackets and a section of the rear sill channel which supports the seat extension (had to fricate a new seat extension). Don't you just hate RUST! Don't get discouraged--just methodically isolate the entire water issue.