Floor drain plugs?

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I'm getting ready to paint my '49 coupe.

I see these holes with plugs in them in the front floor, rear seat floor, and trunk pan.



IMG_3922.jpg





Why are these here? They don't give access to anything. Seams like these would only be practical drains if the car got submerged.



I'm thinking I should seal these with welded in plugs to be water tight and sound proof and give less places for rust to start on the new paint.

All opinions are appreciated.

Thanks,

Bryan

Comments

  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    If you ever get water in your car, you'll wish you had them.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Uncle Josh wrote:
    If you ever get water in your car, you'll wish you had them.

    Amen to that!! That was, of course, their purpose. If originality is not critical to you, then go to the electrical dept. at your favorite hdwr. store and buy some block out plugs. They look like a round flat disk with bent metal "fingers" on one side. They snap in, and can be removed later, if need be.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    I drilled 2 holes in the lower back corners of my front floor pans to let out any moisture/water because my doors don't seem to seal up enough to do the job....plus they're mis-aligned.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Aaron D. IL wrote:
    I drilled 2 holes in the lower back corners of my front floor pans to let out any moisture/water because my doors don't seem to seal up enough to do the job....plus they're mis-aligned.

    Can't tell from the picture above, but the originals have a small weep hole that was put in like a louver in the middle of the plug for just that purpose. Water couldn't really get in, to much degree, but any inside the car would have an exit point.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    At the Pigeon Forge meet a few years ago, a friend had recently purchased a 4 door Hornet and hadnt checked for water leaks into the cab. We had a good rain storm during the nite and the next morning he had 1+inches in his front floor boards. He wasnt sure what he wanted to do, so we took a 16 penny nail and made a drain hole at the deepest part. Later we find the drain plug and finish the job, wet carpet all the way home, but was able to dry it up later. Still driving the car. Helps to know where the plugs are. Bob
  • Walt-LA
    Walt-LA Senior Contributor
    Those plugs are good for a lot of things. As kids in the early '50's we used to remove the plug behind the drivers seat so that we could poke a stick down to the "Georgia skidproof" (slag) paving... t'was Lots of fun 'till your Father caught on... and the price went up. Walt-LA
  • bent metal
    bent metal Senior Contributor
    Can't tell from the picture above, but the originals have a small weep hole that was put in like a louver in the middle of the plug for just that purpose. Water couldn't really get in, to much degree, but any inside the car would have an exit point.

    __________________

    Russell



    Yep, that's what I remember too. Should have a little one inch long louver that would be pointed backwards and down so it will let water out (toward the back).



    I think most people use the electrical plug, as mentioned.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    bent metal wrote:
    Can't tell from the picture above, but the originals have a small weep hole that was put in like a louver in the middle of the plug for just that purpose. Water couldn't really get in, to much degree, but any inside the car would have an exit point.
    __________________
    Russell

    Yep, that's what I remember too. Should have a little one inch long louver that would be pointed backwards and down so it will let water out (toward the back).

    I think most people use the electrical plug, as mentioned.

    Only reason I know so much about them is I spent way too much time and effort scrounging around till I found all six I needed for the convertible, went through a lot of them that had seen better days (like pictured above) till I finally located some NOS ones.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Gees I am glad I read this thread. A previous owner of my car had cemented the plugs in place with bondo. I thought that was strange but being a Hudson newbie, what did I know.



    Doug
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