<VV> GM's dumbest idea

[Bill Hubbell]

Oh, I know that it was GMs INTENTION to have the airflow dry out the rockers, but all it takes is a few small leaves or other debris getting into the plenum (and thereby the rockers) to plug the small drain holes and thereby allow the water to sit inside the rockers, inducing rust.  

Exactly how many people do you think ever bothered to flush those rockers even once a year?

To be fair, the unibody concept was still new back in the 1960s and also the notion was that the cars only needed to last a few years anyway, so the manufacturers were not really all that concerned with preventing rust over the long term. 

Today the cars are made to keep water out of enclosed spaces - not to invite it in. 

Another problem with the LM "flow-through" design is that if your car is parked on a hill, front end down, when it rains the water will not drain, but will accumulate in the rocker. 

Bill

On Jul 30, 2014, at 12:39 PM, hallgrenn at aol.com wrote:

As Bill is an early guy he might not know (or admit :)) that the front grill plenum also directed air through the rockers to dry them out.  If an owner took the time to clean out the leaves and other debris behind the floor vents once or twice a year to keep things open the "flush and dry" rockers really did prolong the life of the LMs.  It didn't stop rust, just slowed it down a lot.  And those of us with salty winter roads got to drive our favorite cars--especially beaters--longer than some other cars--like Mustangs.
 
Bob Hall
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Hubbell via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
To: Virtual Vairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wed, Jul 30, 2014 12:34 pm
Subject: <VV> GM's dumbest idea

"Flow-thru" rocker panels on Late Model Corvairs.  

"Gee - what a fantastic idea - let's run water into the rocker panels"

Guaranteed rust!

Bill Hubbell
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