Convertible Top

[68 4spd Fury]

Asking about convertible tops as far as adjustments and sealing. My car still has its original top that's in very good shape. I do though have a leak that drains into the well area from the left side. I've heard the tops themselves aren't necessarily sealed and the water is directed to some kind of drain channels? Has anyone done anything with this?

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Yes - at the bottom of the well there should be a couple of perforated grommet and drain tubes that allow water out. They often plug up and/or get otherwise blocked.

Here's a link to some GM ones after a quick Google... Mopar ones will be similar

Impala Parts | DT6164 | 1961-64 Impala Convertible Rear Drain Tubes | Classic Industries

 

[mr. fix it]

If you are asking about water getting into the front of the car,
My Polara got caught in a down pour last summer with the top up, and still my front carpets got soaked from what i think was water getting in from the front lower air vents simply because there was so much rain that the drains in the front of the car couldn't handle the amount of water.
It's a poor design having the air vents also serve as the water drains from the front of the vent on the side of the firewall.
It's typical over time that the drains clog up and need to be cleaned to try to prevent this.
the end result is that the water gets into the car ans soaks the carpets down.
Now days we won't leave a car out in the open that would cause concern that his could happen.

(I believe that most homes back in the 1960's didn't have a garage so the cars sat outside)

The rear of the car in my case had a small pool of water that I was able to soak up with a towel.
I didn't make the hole/drain in the back for my convertible yet and doubt I will since the car really won't be left out over night generally.

 

[mr. fix it]

And one last thing here, if the plastic is missing from inside the door panels, water will get into the car.

You must replace it if it is missing otherwise regardless how good that top is water will get in.
Check the rear rocker panel drains as well to make sure they are clear of rust and debris or the rear quarters will fill with water that can't escape.

 

[polara71]

On the 70 there is this channel that catches water that seeps through the top where it attaches to the car and diverts it out. If you are getting water in your trunk you have other issues. If water is getting into the well liner than your top itself is allowing water intrusion where it shouldnt and should be replaced if you desire.

I too have an original top on one of my convertibles and water doesnt get in. Even if it did I wouldnt replace the top because the car is original .

 

[Big_John]

I've always been of the opinion that it's good that you can put the top down and dry out the inside in the sun....

Mine doesn't leak, but I wouldn't run it through a car wash either.

 

[polara71]

I once had a cooler in the trunk of Adleen and the plug was open. Ice had melted and the carpet was soaked. Talk about a nervous wreck. I left the trunk lid open and pulled the carpet out. The car was parked with the rear facing the sun for the next several hours and had completely dried out. That just about ruined my day

 

[bluefury361]

There are plastic water troughs below the L & R rear 1/4 windows, that is screwed to the wheel tub, that divert water to the lower forward area of the wheel tubs where water drains out through a grommet and tube.
I have one somewhere around here and will post a pic if I find it.

 

[polara71]

There are plastic water troughs below the L & R rear 1/4 windows, that is screwed to the wheel tub, that divert water to the lower forward area of the wheel tubs where water drains out through a grommet and tube.
I have one somewhere around here and will post a pic if I find it.

Thank You....... That is a photo I dont have and couldnt believe it

 

[68 4spd Fury]

Thanks for the information and the pictures. I'll have to take a look at how the well liner is attached and see if that channel is plugged.

 

[68 4spd Fury]

There are plastic water troughs below the L & R rear 1/4 windows, that is screwed to the wheel tub, that divert water to the lower forward area of the wheel tubs where water drains out through a grommet and tube.
I have one somewhere around here and will post a pic if I find it.

Thanks for the information. I'll have to take a look at how the well liner is attached and see if that channel is plugged.

 

[mr. fix it]

my Polara had no trace of the troughs, I'm curious as to what they look like.
I do have the metal trough though...

 

[68 4spd Fury]

my Polara had no trace of the troughs, I'm curious as to what they look like.
I do have the metal trough though...
View attachment 118076

Tha

my Polara had no trace of the troughs, I'm curious as to what they look like.
I do have the metal trough though...
View attachment 118076

That's a great picture, thanks, mine has the same thing from what I can see. I can get access at forward end under the well liner, (I don't want to pull up the whole liner if I don't have to). I'll try and snake a coat hanger up there and see if it's blocked.

 

[mr. fix it]

normally it gets plugged in the rocker panel area by the rear wheel well house not at the top in the channel

 

[bluefury361]

my Polara had no trace of the troughs, I'm curious as to what they look like.
I do have the metal trough though...
View attachment 118076

The troughs may be unique to the fuseloge body's only, 69-70, Still looking for the one I have, will post when/if I find it.

 

[mr. fix it]

The troughs may be unique to the fuseloge body's only, 69-70, Still looking for the one I have, will post when/if I find it.

Maybe they gave up trying to stop the water...