Dash Removal or My Leaking Car...

[74Olds]

I seem to have a pretty good leak coming into the car when it rains. I am am very certain that it is between the firewall and dash, but cannot pinpoint the area (s). I was just curious on how difficult it would be to take the dash off from the 74 I have, and perhaps get some instructions to do so if someone has the time. I am concerned as this is my "new" white olds I have purchased and would like to keep it in the respectable state that it is in. When I purchased the car the carpet was rather eaten away, and now I know why. I have purchased a car cover that keeps rain off to an extent, but I am still getting a small puddle at my feet after a heavy storm. i also have spent many hours with flashlight in hand during rainstorms to pinpoint the leak and seen it dripping from a bolt holding together what seems to be the driver's side vent system, but there may be other areas. i have yet to be smart and ask the girlfriend to assist on a sunny bright day with a bucket of water, this may happen before I store the car for the winter. (look for another post in time on any suggestions for that as well :))

Also to add to the story, when I first took over the car I thought I would get it washed.... Went through a "touchless" car wash and, well that was the first inside car waterfall I have ever experienced... pool of water at my feet right over the fuse block and left hand side and ran through pooling behind me in the back seat's foot well (also missing carpet). I was committed to going through the entire process of the wash, but this seems to be the on achilles heel to this car to date. Thank the maker for those blue soak up everything shop rags I bought just before the car wash :)

Any assistance will of course be appreciated...

[76HOProposal]

There is no one answer to your problem............I think you know that brother.

If your leak is that low, you are going to get dirty fixing it. Also know that.

Just think logically where the amount of water you describe could get in. There are only so many places in that area of the car that were perforated. If your floorboards are dry and free from rust. This is a new issue. You need to figure out what has changed in this area of the car in that case.

It is a difficult job and one that can't be left alone. Good luck

Also if your girlfriend is willing to get involved in this process. You might think about her being a "Keeper". Just a thought, great test.

[ragz442]

I would take a good look at all the seams at the cowl and firewall and make sure they are sealed up. Pop the mesh cover off the top of the cowl and see if there is a bunch of debris in there. There is a drain flap on each side of the cowl [behind fenders], if these get plugged up the water may leak into the passenger compartment. You could also pop the windshield trim off and use clear silicone around the perimiter of the windshield. They make a special clear sealer for this, it's thin and oozes into all the cracks/openings. Just some suggestions.......good luck.

[zodiacblue442]

People have posted good suggestions, especially the one about keeping the girlfriend if she's a "car chick" :D (gotta get me one of those!) Another thing that came to mind is there may be hidden rust holes at the bottom of the windshield (where the windshield and dash come together). When my brother restored his `70 Supreme conv. several years ago and removed the original windshield, half of the dash mount metal came with it. Serious rust under there. My 442 had some of that too, but not nearly as bad. The bodyman said it's typical, for some reason especially on GM cars due to many years of humidity/condensation sitting at the bottom of the windshield on the inside from running the defroster - repeated heat/cool/condensation cycles. Maybe your windshield isn't 100% sealed and water is getting in through a rust hole. Just a stab in the dark, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Good luck.

[gow589]

Getting the dash out and in is a job. I have mine out to just dashes right now getting re-done. I also scavenged some NOS parts such as the ball vents. I am not looking forward to putting it back in!

http://www.rc-tech.net/cars/cutlass/dash/ohmy.jpg


Gary
76
455
t-tops

[gow589]

If you are serious about it let me know I can photograph the back of another dash I have to help you locate all those hidden bolts.

Gary

[petrofyed]

i had to remove the dash in my 75 to replace it and i didn't think it was that bad of a job...only like 5 or 6 bolts hold it in there...

[74Olds]

Thanks for all the feedback...

After that picture of the removed dash :eek: , I'm have to admit I'm a bit hesitant to take that project on at the moment. I will however look to the seams, and see what can be done in the other areas mentioned...

It would be great to get that picture of the back of the dash as well as I may not be the only one thinking of doing this, and it may benefit others that look to this posting...

Oh, and ya the gf's a keeper, she has stuck with me owning to of these cars when we don't have room for them and having three cars is very unreasonable, but I don't want to part with my green one even though it is a POS, I love it, and well the white and black is just 1000 x's better than the green one so...

Keep the info for this thing going if possible tho if anyone else has anything new to add, would like to know all I can for these types of projects...

Thanks again for all the assistance with this and other questions...

[gow589]

I will try to round up some photos this weekend if that is soon enough.

Gary

[74Olds]

Oh ya, take your time... I may not get to this project till next year after I take the car out of storage anyway...

[W451973]

All great answers. I suggest you pull the windshield trim. Take your time. Then take a cup or pitcher of water and poor a LITTLE bit at a time around the windshield. Start at the bottem corner. After you poor it, STOP, and look inside the car to see if it is wet. Do this a little at a time, working your way around. Make sure to STOP, and check each time. You are probably gonna have to pull the windshield and fix the rust underneith.

[gow589]

I have not forgotten about photos. I took the pictures but have not had a chance to download them from my camera.

Gary

[gow589]

Here you go, photo dm1 -dm7 will be the dash mount photos.

http://www.rc-tech.net/cars/cutlass/dash/


Gary

[74Olds]

Thanks Gary

[Jen442]

Holy Crap Gary
That pic really scares me seeing as how we are getting ready to pull the dash from my 77.
I dont think the Olds leaks however my 65 El Camino is like driving a boat in the rain ....