I need the voice of reason or experience to help me decide what to do with the following problem. The "smuggler's compartment" on my El Camino was rusted through on the bottom. We did a very nice job of cutting it out and welding in new metal. The repair is water tight from the bottom. The problem is that I can't get the inspection cover to seal well enough to keep water out of the compartment, which then runs into the rear floorboard. Should I:
1. Give up on trying to seal it and drill some drainholes in my nicely repaired floor? This is how I had my last one setup. I just hate to put crude holes in my nice work.
2. Take some of the spray foam and try to seal it from inside of the compartment? Because of the porous nature of the foam, I am worried about moisture retention and aggravating the already rust-prone area.
3. Take another shot at trying to seal the inspection panel - maybe with urethane this time? I used seam sealer last time which is not going to be real easy to remove.

Are there any other ideas to keep the water out? TIA for all replies.

I used 3M All around body sealant on mine, it worked just fine.

I used a vinyl caulking to seal the compartment and now have a dry El Camino. Just use a lot and wipe off the excess.

I sealed the floor with 3M body/joint sealer
the bolt threads also. then sprayed on a Urathane bed linner. Its been outside in two
heavy rain storms and no water in the cab.
My only complaint is the bird dodo on the 1/4 panel as thay wait their turns to play in the new bird Bath
WayneK
Wayne Kline
ACES TC

I went to Lowes and bought some non hardening window sealer. Used a whole tube to go around. I put plenty on. Once I tightened the panel I removed the excess and smoothed it with a wet finger. Stayed dry for over 4 years. Make sure you get the kind that is paintable.

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Rick (Abilene Texas)
72 El Camino
TPI 350/700r4

Your "smuggler's compartment" is supposed to have drain holes in the lower floor to prevent water accumulating and rusting.
Before you seal the bed floor access door in place, make sure that you have drain holes in the lower floor so you don't create future rust problems.

That smugglers' panel is really the footwell for the back seat of the station wagon, which an El Camino really is.

Gary S is right, it should have several drain holes open in the bottom of the well. I just took bed panel out to strip, de-rust and paint. It had that foam weather stripping with the tape on the back all the way around on the bed side. Mine had been there over 30 years and the well was rusty, but only surface rust. This was not a factory job.

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Dale P.
Team Chevelle Member# 423
65 El Camino
72 Monte Carlo
"..you did you take the washer off, right?"
Whiners please point your browser to http://www.nader.org




[This message has been edited by DaleP (edited 10-31-99).]