How To Fix Your Trunk Vent Drains
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2016 9:55 am
Many of you have probably already figured out a hack to deal with GM's state of the art, Flow-Thru Ventilation system which allows air to flow through the cabin of the car and allows water to flow through the trunk and rust out your fender wells.
In case you haven't, here are some ideas that you may wish to try. I fixed my '66 yesterday. Sorry, I can't post photos because my camera broke.
Anyhoo, I considered several options from radiator hose, to flexible vacuum cleaner tubing, to plumbing the whole mess with PVC.
As it turned out, the cheapest way was also fairly easy and very close to stock appearance. Not that appearance matters because the major problem areas are hidden from view if you have the trunk upholstered with the cardboard panels blocking the wheel well.
My plastic tubes that connect the drain from the rear deck were in great shape so all I really had to worry about were the rubber tubes in the wheel wells that run between the plastic tubes and the outlet down in the wheel well.
I rummaged around the radiator hoses at the local Advance Auto store and found a hose with the correct inside diameter top mate with the metal outlet in the wheel well and the plastic drain tube. It had the right bends in it to do the job.
Upon further investigation, I discovered that the bends are a near perfect match to eliminate the GM plastic tubs all together. I kid you not. It works for both sides of the car and with just a little trim at each end. the radiator hose must be slightly bent at the bottom to connect to the wheel well opening but it doesn't flatten out. Since gallons and gallons of water won't be pouring through it it is a non- issue.
However, since my plastic drain tubes were in good shape, I considered cutting off the part with the bends for the wheel well and discarding the rest. After further consideration I decided to go a completely different route.
I purchased an extra large bicycle inner tube and used it to fill the space between the plastic tubes and the wheel well opening. Perfection!
I folded each end up on itself twice like I was making cuffs in a pair of blue jeans. This allowed a hose clamp to get a good grip without tearing the rubber. I did this on both ends. Don't use the original spring wire clamps. They aren't tight enough or easy enough to work with.
To install it, remove the plastic tube from the top first and then attach the inner tube. It's easier this way. Don't cut the tub to length yet.
Fish the end with the inner tube through the hole to the wheel well and reattach the plastic tube in position.
Position the inner tube and allow for two folds on the end to make a cuff (or turtle neck collar) of about 1 inch. Cut the tube with scissors, make your cuff and push it over the outlet in the wheel well and clamp it in place.
Dump a bucket of water in the hole by the trunk hinge and watch all the water come out the bottom of the car instead of filling up your wheel well or trunk.
I decided to use the inner tube method because the inner tube was $10 and was enough to do 2 Toronados. The radiator hose method would be ideal for someone whose plastic tubes are cracked, missing or disintegrated. They're more expensive, though at $25 each.
Here is the critical information:
Inner Tube Method: Specialized 26 x 2.3 / 3.0
Radiator Hose Method: CARQUEST / Dayco E72248
I hope this helps you guys. Oh ya, as an added bonus you might discover your missing spare tire mounting hook, wing nut and bracket assembly down in the wheel well like I did!
In case you haven't, here are some ideas that you may wish to try. I fixed my '66 yesterday. Sorry, I can't post photos because my camera broke.
Anyhoo, I considered several options from radiator hose, to flexible vacuum cleaner tubing, to plumbing the whole mess with PVC.
As it turned out, the cheapest way was also fairly easy and very close to stock appearance. Not that appearance matters because the major problem areas are hidden from view if you have the trunk upholstered with the cardboard panels blocking the wheel well.
My plastic tubes that connect the drain from the rear deck were in great shape so all I really had to worry about were the rubber tubes in the wheel wells that run between the plastic tubes and the outlet down in the wheel well.
I rummaged around the radiator hoses at the local Advance Auto store and found a hose with the correct inside diameter top mate with the metal outlet in the wheel well and the plastic drain tube. It had the right bends in it to do the job.
Upon further investigation, I discovered that the bends are a near perfect match to eliminate the GM plastic tubs all together. I kid you not. It works for both sides of the car and with just a little trim at each end. the radiator hose must be slightly bent at the bottom to connect to the wheel well opening but it doesn't flatten out. Since gallons and gallons of water won't be pouring through it it is a non- issue.
However, since my plastic drain tubes were in good shape, I considered cutting off the part with the bends for the wheel well and discarding the rest. After further consideration I decided to go a completely different route.
I purchased an extra large bicycle inner tube and used it to fill the space between the plastic tubes and the wheel well opening. Perfection!
I folded each end up on itself twice like I was making cuffs in a pair of blue jeans. This allowed a hose clamp to get a good grip without tearing the rubber. I did this on both ends. Don't use the original spring wire clamps. They aren't tight enough or easy enough to work with.
To install it, remove the plastic tube from the top first and then attach the inner tube. It's easier this way. Don't cut the tub to length yet.
Fish the end with the inner tube through the hole to the wheel well and reattach the plastic tube in position.
Position the inner tube and allow for two folds on the end to make a cuff (or turtle neck collar) of about 1 inch. Cut the tube with scissors, make your cuff and push it over the outlet in the wheel well and clamp it in place.
Dump a bucket of water in the hole by the trunk hinge and watch all the water come out the bottom of the car instead of filling up your wheel well or trunk.
I decided to use the inner tube method because the inner tube was $10 and was enough to do 2 Toronados. The radiator hose method would be ideal for someone whose plastic tubes are cracked, missing or disintegrated. They're more expensive, though at $25 each.
Here is the critical information:
Inner Tube Method: Specialized 26 x 2.3 / 3.0
Radiator Hose Method: CARQUEST / Dayco E72248
I hope this helps you guys. Oh ya, as an added bonus you might discover your missing spare tire mounting hook, wing nut and bracket assembly down in the wheel well like I did!