Good morning
We just got our car back from getting painted. We went on a drive and it started raining. Well both mine and my wife's legs got wet. There is a new door gaskets so I am lost to why it is not sealing. I can't find good quality photos to see what it should look like or where it should go. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.
Gordon
First we’ll blame the top, as they all leak, some worse than others. In 1955 and again in 1956 Ford released Product Service Letter 1143 and P-316 to address the water leaking in the car. Product Service Letter 1143 address water leaks around the dog leg trough of the door hinge pillar, and Product Service Letter P-316 addresses water leaks the top.
Now let’s look at the real problems. I have seen too many floors so wet that all the water could not possibly have leaked past the top weather stripping.
Check the windshield weather-strip; it gets old and cracks, or if replaced recently, somebody probably cleaned the old black sealant from the windshield frame and didn’t replace it because they thought the new rubber gasket would seal. WRONG! Water will flow up and over the windshield frame, under the gasket, behind the dash and onto the floor. The faster you drive, the faster the water comes in.
Another problem is the escutcheons on the windshield wipers (the little chrome wedge with the nut holding it to the car body). It’s supposed to have a gasket under it, and sometimes the gasket, if it is there at all, is deformed, allowing water to collect in these recessed areas and then flow through the cowl directly on to your feet. Again, a little sealant and a new gasket should solve the problem.
doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue