Preventative rainfall in my 60

[Valeria H.]

I took Bella to the Carolina's Chapter local event in West Jefferson this past weekend. Unfortunately for me and Bella it rained on the way home. I taped the front window (convertible top) as well as I tought I could prior to departure. The tape held for maybe 50 miles. I was in a caravan with another vintage 63 rag top.

I have been trying to do my best to dry the old girl out since we arrived in Charlotte. It has been slow but we are making progress.

My question is does anyone have a solution to the leakage problem with the C1, C2 corvettes? I am going to do trials with silly putty packed in the grooves for an emergency such as this.

I will try to let you know what happens with this.

I have still not been able to get the thick grease off of my seat belts.

Thanks for your responses.

Yeah,
I earned 1 judging point at the meet! Only 99 to go!!!!

Valeria

[Bruce B.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

Valeria,
I have found the best way to address the problem is to have a few holes in the floor to let the rain water drain out.
I realize the answer is not much help but I have been struggling with water leaks for years. The 57 I finished about 18 months ago has seen lots of rain and although all the weatherstrip and 3M caulk under the windshield is new the car still leaks.
The front seal on the front soft top header sometimes leaks due to the piece not conforming to the upper windshield stainless.
Good Luck.

[Valeria H.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

I have the origiinal 60 hardtop for the car. Would there be a lesser amount of water seapage with this top?

This has been horrible. I have taken out the bottom seats, ripped up the carpet and have been trying to dry the carpet mainly on the passenger side.

The drivers side had a minimal amount of water damage which i was able to clear up quickly.

Sending out an SOS to anyone who can give me preventative advice.
This is the first time on the latest restoration of Bella for water damage. I'd like it to be the last.

Valeria

[Joe E.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

Check the rubber weatherstrip at the top of the windshield to see if the glass is sealed there. If the spacer is left out between the upper trim stainless piece and the weatherstrip this will let the weatherstrip move up and the glass will not seal well there. I have seen this on these before and it means taking the windshield apart to put the spacer back in.
Good luck Joe

[Don H.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

I have had multiple solid axle & mid-year Corvettes and ALL have leaked. It is just a matter of how much does it leak. I thought it was a no charge option. Regards, Don H.

PS After the rain a high volumn fan blowing throught the interior "fixes" the problem!

[Clem Z.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

Valeria,
I have found the best way to address the problem is to have a few holes in the floor to let the rain water drain out.

Good Luck.

i did that in my brand new 59 when the mrs called from work and said there was water in the corvette all over the floor. she drove home in her stocking feet so she did not ruin her shoes.

[Gary B.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

On my `62 after the first flood (heavy rain) when the carpet was out I put a bit of water on the floor pan to see where the low spot was. I drilled a couple of small holes to let the water drain out.
I also put a peice plastic floor runner with nubs on it, nubs down, under the carpet to let the water drain to the low spot.

For the windshied I used 2 inch silver or black Duct tape across the top of the winshield.

Also make sure the water drains out of the doors outside and not inside the Vette.

[Mike M.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

most rain water leakage into a c-1 occurs at the windshield glass to upper rubber weatherstrip, especially if the soft top assembly, when clamped down up front, is tight enough to pull the upper windshield frame towards the rear of the car. last couple of c-1's i did involved the use of a urethane caulk between the windshield glass and the rubber weatherstrip. leaks still occur but not nearly as much as before urethane.mike

[Gary C.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

Valeria, unfortunately there's no 100% cure. Best preventive measure is a couple of rows of duct tape on the windshield to softtop/hardtop seam and on some C1's across the bottom of the windshield where it meets the body. Goof off will remove the duct tape residue from the top and 3M adhesive remover is safest to use on the paint. Leaks are a fact of life for C1's. Gary....

[Tom P.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

The word Corvette is synonomous with the word LEAK!

[Loren L.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

1>Five gallon pail - 5 or 6 plastic dispenser loads of Tide (or ?), add water, insert seat belts. Once per day for 4 days agitate belts and place back in pail - may need to replace solution if dirty enough. repeat until clean.
2>Find a good convertible top facility; go there with your AIM in hand; explain the problem and ask if they can verify that your top has all of the prescribed weatherstrips; if it does, ask them how to determine HOW the water is coming in - over the top of the header bar or between the glass and the weatherstrip or ???
3>Move to Arizona - you'll like it.

[Jerry G.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

Don't drive in the rain and cover it with a waterproof cover when parked out where it may rain.

[Edward S.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

Valeria,
Every C1/C2 I have owned leaked on the pass. side of the interior. I did 2 things - went to Home Depot and bought a large plastic painters drop cloth. If it rained during a muliple day show ( Regional/National ) I would wrap the car and used duct tape to insure it stayed on ( ran all tape from under the car ) It was my finding that everytime I tried the hardtop it leaked more. I had a 58 both tops thank god for a trunk, kept a lifeboat back there. As far as driving in the rain, again I used duct tape everywhere I could around the windshield ( inside and out ) and had very good results - most times on long trips I did use my enclosed trailer. I also bought a pair of weather boots, which I always used to save my carpets from wear and to also hold water. First thing I bought for my C6 and only remove them when I get to a show.
For your belts I suggested you use Dawn and I have heard good things about Simply Green. Good luck,

[Bruce B.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

Valeria,

If you happen to have a 1962 or other year AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual) take a look at the pages covering "water Test".

GM was serious about leaks and did have a pretty comprehensive test procedure.

One good bit of information in the AIM is where they list areas of leak possibilities.

I think if the cars passed the test at the assembly plant that some steps could be taken to minimize leaks 50 years later.

Anyone have hands on or secondhand info concerning the AIM water testing?

One last comment: I have driven my 62 and 57 many miles in many rain storms with no permanent damage to the car. Don't let the possibility of rain spoil your fun.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Preventative rainfall in my 60

I took Bella to the Carolina's Chapter local event in West Jefferson this past weekend. Unfortunately for me and Bella it rained on the way home. I taped the front window (convertible top) as well as I tought I could prior to departure. The tape held for maybe 50 miles. I was in a caravan with another vintage 63 rag top.

I have been trying to do my best to dry the old girl out since we arrived in Charlotte. It has been slow but we are making progress.

My question is does anyone have a solution to the leakage problem with the C1, C2 corvettes? I am going to do trials with silly putty packed in the grooves for an emergency such as this.

I will try to let you know what happens with this.

I have still not been able to get the thick grease off of my seat belts.

Thanks for your responses.

Yeah,
I earned 1 judging point at the meet! Only 99 to go!!!!

Valeria

Rain water can and does run down the door pillars and into the carpeting. Check your rain gutters for effectiveness and door sill sealant. Rain also seeps under the windshield rubber and through the mounting holes.

Very difficult to eliminate totally. They leak like a sieve...requiring carpet replacement over time.

Joe