<VV> rustproofing a '64 convertible

[Hugo Miller]

I have a very rust-free Arizona '64 convertible that  am about to start 
restoring. I had a lot of water coming into the car via the heater 
outlets on the inside of the rockers. My understanding is that water is 
meant to pour into the rockers from the openings in front of the screen 
(the previous owner had tried, rather optimistically, to blank these 
off). It is then meant to pour out again through openings provided. 
Obviously if these outlets become blocked, the rockers will retain some 
water, or in my case, a lot of water! If you live in an area where there 
is salt on the roads, that is a recipe for disaster. You're never going 
to stop it getting in there in the first place - you just need to make 
sure it can get out again.
What I would do is pour a cavity wax sealer into the rockers, while 
making sure all outlets remain clear. I like Eastwoods internal 
protective wax, whatever they call it. Green stuff you spray in through 
a thin hose with a 360 degree nozzle on the end, although I might be 
inclined to pour it in until it pours out everywhere. It should find its 
way into the welded seams and stop any further damage in those areas.
I should add that I do not claim to be an expert on Corvair body 
construction, so those more knowledgeable may differ.


On 2019-03-02 17:57, Doug Mackintosh via VirtualVairs wrote:
> I would not do that.
>
> While you are at it, you need to look at the defroster distribution 
> tube
> that runs from the outside front of the inner rocker to the lower 
> A-piller
> which directs air from the rocker heat channel to the defroster hose 
> up
> front. The tube itself, and the joint to the rocker rust, allowing 
> water to
> get into the tube/rocker from the cowl air vent plenum. Ordinarily 
> the cowl
> and air vent stack area are sealed off from the front of the rocker, 
> so no
> water can get in the rocker from the cowl. But when the defroster
> distribution tube and joint are rusted out water can enter the 
> rocker; it
> then generally runs out the front heater outlet onto the front 
> floorboards,
> which then rusts them. I also think water running past the the rear 
> quarter
> windows can get into the outer rocker (outboard of the separate heat
> channel portion) and then runs out the rocker drain slot at the rear; 
> be
> sure that slot is clear.
>
> The defroster distribution tube can be seen (with great difficulty) 
> by
> looking into the heater floor outlet (you see the inside of the tube) 
> and
> through the kick panel vent opening. But to actually repair the rust 
> I
> understand you need to cut an opening in the outside of the fender to 
> get
> to it.
>
> <<Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2019 15:48:27 -0500 (EST)
> From: JUDY HOOK <judynrandy at comcast.net>
> To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
> Subject: <VV> rustproofing a '64 convertible
> Message-ID: <1659900659.795146.1551473307669 at connect.xfinity.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> ...      Anyhow, my question is this:  In order to keep the rockers 
> of the
> '64 from ending up like the '63's, I decided to weld shut all the 
> heater
> access holes when the car is painted and add to the rocker areas a 
> couple
> gallons each of my homemade rust-proofing solution to live in there 
> forever
> and ever.  As for heat, when needed, i'm going to install the gas 
> heater I
> have in the '63.  So, has anyone ever done this?  If so, any pitfalls 
> or
> problems?  Any thoughts and opinions welcome.  Thanks.
>
> Randy (Cap'n) Hook
>
> Hopewell,  PA>>
>
> -- Doug Mackintosh Corsa member since 1996 Corsa/NC member since 
> 1996,
> Virtual Vairs member Corvair owner 1969-1971 and 1996-on
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