Does anyone know what the real name is, of the piece that the top tack strips bolt onto? It looks like it serves as the drain for the convertible top, leading in inside the rear quarter panels so that rain water runs out the quarter panel drains. I took of my top to start preping the top well area for repainting, and mine is rusted in several places. Guess I found the root cause of my trunk rust! :ball: I'm trying to find out if any replacements are available. I know I won't be able to find anything for a 66 Wildcat, but hoping one from an Impala will be similar / close enough to work. Thanks!
I din't have my Y1 catalog here at work, but I think it is called a rain gutter. Several places sell themo No:
I have seen them on Ebay for 63-64 Wildcats. I looked and found one for 65-66 Imapla. Will that work on a 66 Cat? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-1966-C...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c5fb7bc9a&vxp=mtr Chris
Thanks Chris, but those are the tack rails for the top. I will need those also, but the is the "gutter" that the tack rails bolt to. It runs around the top well and directs water into the quarters, then to the body drains. I'm going to try to get into mine with a wire brush on my angle grinder, just to see how bad the metal is. I'm hoping it's just the places where it already rusted thru, but I'm going to assume the worst. If it is only those holes, I'll try to bend some sheet metal patches and tack them in, prime / paint, then cover with some seam sealer. I'll try to take some photos and post my progress. Thanks!
Steve: Ok. I know what you are talking about. They do rust out in those areas. I had to fix mine on my 63 Wildcat. Be glad you did not have to make new "drain cups" Like I did! I had to fab them from scratch, then cut out the top frame bracket to get at it! Big job, but it's done. I cursed the Buick engineers for designing the water drain through the rockers! It should have just went straight down and out through the floor. I wonder How many GM convertibles would still have decent rocker panels today if they had done this? I was surprised to see that someone was repoping the tack strips. You know as recently as ten years ago, they were not available new. Chris
Well. after looking at it, cursing it, wondering what the hell I'm going to do with it, I'm not sure I have any way to clean out the rust without removing the gutter. This does not make me happy. I'm not even sure I have the skill to do such a repair. Probably going to start looking for a decent bodyshop in the Charleston, SC area. I'll see how I feel about it tomorrow night. I see that the A-bodies and Camaro's have replacements available, but I know they won't fit. Maybe hit it with Rust Encapulator, then fiberglas it? I hate the thought of fiberglasing it though. Anybody have any ideas? I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks,
Clean it out the best you can. If you can weld new metal in, that's the best way to repair it. If not, clean it, POR-15 everything, glass the rest. I realize that it's not the easiest place in the car to be doing welding repairs. got any pictures? Chris
I picked up a needle scaler from Harbor Freight last night. Going to give it a shot this morning. Also, have some photos that I need to upload. Probably do that later today.
I is called a drain apron rod. You should be able to find it at topsdown.com or convertiblespecialist.com
Tallytony, I've looked. Nothing for 66 GM full sized. The changed the design later (71 - 75?) and did the gutter differently. I ahve seen those offered. Now for the pictures! These are just after the top & frame were removed.
Here are some with the front of the gutter removed. The needle scaler did most of this, followed by a die grinder and an air chisel. Now the fun begins.... I need to clean it down to bare metal to see where to begin.
Good news. It sounds like a member on the BCA forum has a rust-free one from a So. Cal. 65 Electra. He's going to cut out the full gutter and filler panel. More updates to follow.
