68 skylark rear window seal
the trunk in my skylark is totally rusted out. I can see the gas tank. replacing the trunk pan isn't an issue but how to keep it from happening again is....to my understanding the reason this happens is because the window drainage channels fill up and don't have anywhere to go except the trunk. any custom mods I can do to fix this issue? thankyou in advance for any thoughts on the project
Late 1960's GM Cars NOTORIOUS for this.
I have much more experience with Chevys, Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs but, I would assume the other GM divisions are similiar - unless a Buick expert can verify. BUT, it's my experience, that late 60's GM products are absolutely NOTORIOUS for this problem. What happens is this - rain water sits in the lower corners of the rear window and eventually causes rust holes in the sheet metal where the glass is "glued" on. I don't think there is a "gasket' for this car but, confirm with a company that manufacturers glass gaskets. It doesn't even take a rust hole to cause a leak into the trunk. The lower corners is where the rear quarters meet the body panel that runs across the bottom of the rear glass and is between the glass and the trunk lid. This joint can allow water to leak thru and drip into the trunk. This joint and the strip where the glass is glued on is UNDER the chrome strip that runs along the bottom of the rear glass. You can NOT see this joint until the chrome strip has been removed. WARNING - DO NOT remove this chrome strip until you are absolutely SURE you know what you are doing. These strips are an absolute pain to get back on. There is a special tool for removing the chrome strip and you need to know how to use it. The chrome strip is held on by many individual "clips" that are anchored to a special headed stud that is spot welded around the perimeter of the glass. I highly recommend you going to a salvage yard - finding a car that has had the rear glass removed and really looking at how it is all put together. The only way I know of fixing these type leaks is - 1. Remove the chrome strips. 2. Remove the rear glass. 3. Make PERMANENT repairs to the rusted holes or leaks. 4. Reinstall the rear glass. 5. Reinstall the chrome strips. I have seen people try to stop the leaks with caulk around the chrome strip but, it never works and looks totally ugly. The front glass is the same as the rear glass. I have seen this problem on a 1967 Camaro, 1969 Chevelle, 1971 Chevelle, 1972 Chevelle, 1974 Oldsmobile and a 1970 Pontiac - and others. I have laid inside trunks while someone flooded the rear glass and watched the water come dripping in. This is why I keep GM cars of this vintage ALWAYS INSIDE and out of the weather. Although, I must say that my 1966 Riviera does not leak water into the trunk at all. Maybe Buicks are different - can anyone else help out here??? Hope this helps and doesn't scare you too much. BluesBrothersBuicks