[ModernMuseum]

How are you guys securing your trunk drain plugs (see pic below). Mine are currently out, which I think is causing quite a bit of noise in the cabin; I also don't have any sound deadening or veneer boards back there. I have the original metal ones with no hole. Are you installing them with screws/caulk as a permanent installation or doing something less permanent in case you get water in the trunk?

 

[X-77 keith]

I just use seam sealer as a glue.

 

[Worn Out Welder]

As far as I know they are installed with seam sealer.
I have always wondered what the intended purpose was, but I think it was to facilitate the drain of the coating in some body dip process.
I saw that process in the Arlington Texas plant in the late 60s and early 70 with the scout troop tours.
If your leaking water leave them loose till you get the leak fixed 🤷

 

[nashcar]

Black urethane caulk from Lowe’s.

 

[ModernMuseum]

Good stuff. I assume you guys who are installing them in a semi-permanent fashion with caulk/glue don't have any water leaks in your trunk? If you do, how do you handle that?

 

[dhutton]

Good stuff. I assume you guys who are installing them in a semi-permanent fashion with caulk/glue don't have any water leaks in your trunk? If you do, how do you handle that?

By fixing the leaks

 

[Vega$69]

FYI the plug in the picture is upside down from the way it should be installed. The hat goes up.

 

[Worn Out Welder]

Good stuff. I assume you guys who are installing them in a semi-permanent fashion with caulk/glue don't have any water leaks in your trunk? If you do, how do you handle that?

Let’s hope you don’t have rust out in the glass channel around the back glass…..although it is somewhat common. The lower portion of the channel can hold a lot of water and dirt.
The quarter panel is joined at the panel above the deck lid in the upper corners , and that’s an area that needed a little seam sealer also..( mine does anyway)
The also have a tendency to rust under the deck lid seal ( if it hasn’t been disturbed for years).

It could be just an old seal that has lost its flexibility, or installed backwards ( lip facing in )

You could , 1 get in the trunk and have a trusted friend run a water hose over the back glass 😐
It’s a tight fit for an old and tall guy
2 pull the back seats and look through with lots of light obviously in both cases.

 

[Michael 69 SS]

By fixing the leaks

LMAO

 

[Michael 69 SS]

Let’s hope you don’t have rust out in the glass channel around the back glass…..although it is somewhat common. The lower portion of the channel can hold a lot of water and dirt.
The quarter panel is joined at the panel above the deck lid in the upper corners , and that’s an area that needed a little seam sealer also..( mine does anyway)
The also have a tendency to rust under the deck lid seal ( if it hasn’t been disturbed for years).

It could be just an old seal that has lost its flexibility, or installed backwards ( lip facing in )

You could , 1 get in the trunk and have a trusted friend run a water hose over the back glass 😐
It’s a tight fit for an old and tall guy
2 pull the back seats and look through with lots of light obviously in both cases.

How are you guys securing your trunk drain plugs (see pic below). Mine are currently out, which I think is causing quite a bit of noise in the cabin; I also don't have any sound deadening or veneer boards back there. I have the original metal ones with no hole. Are you installing them with screws/caulk as a permanent installation or doing something less permanent in case you get water in the trunk?

Black or clear caulking is fine but you can cut your own small gasket and put a pan head set screw in it if you get water in it often.

 

[Georgia68]

Here is a photo of a rusty old 68 Camaro drag race car. I bet they never took the cover plates off.

Anyway, these are installed with hat up and no screws.

 

[Vega$69]

The drains holes were used in the manufacturing process and the plugs installed with sealer. They are not for getting water out of the trunk from leaks etc.

From JohnZ

They were there to drain the hot-degreasing chemicals, the hot iron phosphate chemicals, and the rinse water at the end of the pre-cleaning process prior to prime; they also served as rough locators for the floor pan on the body build truck.

In the plant, they ran a bead of sealer on the flange around the hole, and pushed the plug in place; the sealer set up in the sealer oven prior to color.

 

[Worn Out Welder]

The drains holes were used in the manufacturing process and the plugs installed with sealer. They are not for getting water out of the trunk from leaks etc.

From JohnZ

They were there to drain the hot-degreasing chemicals, the hot iron phosphate chemicals, and the rinse water at the end of the pre-cleaning process prior to prime; they also served as rough locators for the floor pan on the body build truck.

In the plant, they ran a bead of sealer on the flange around the hole, and pushed the plug in place; the sealer set up in the sealer oven prior to color.

Better description than I had from that dim and distant past. 👍

 

[ModernMuseum]

Excellent - great input everyone, thank you.

 

[spideynut]

I believe the hole in the plug is use to paint the plug. I dont believe it's there for a screw.

 

[Sauron67MM]

Drain plugs were never painted from the factory. Galvy finish with beige sealer is correct.

 

[spideynut]

Drain plugs were never painted from the factory. Galvy finish with beige sealer is correct. Do your homework. You will lose points if done wrong.

I should of been more clear, I meant the reproduction company uses holes in the plugs to hang them when they edp coat.