Dashboard Question

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I was looking under the dash on my 53 Super Wasp and noticed something that I had not seen before. From the upper passenger side kick panel to the underside of the top of the dash board is a tube about 3/4" in diameter connecting the two. It was black in color and almost appeared to be hard plastic, but could have been metal. What is the purpose of this tube? It looks like it could carry an antennae wire, but mine is above the windshield. It was really hot out this afternoon (100+degrees) and I didn't hang around under there too long.
Bob

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    It sounds like you're looking at a drain tube. If so, there should be one on the other side too.
  • Walt-LA
    Walt-LA Senior Contributor
    Dave53-7C wrote:
    It sounds like you're looking at a drain tube. If so, there should be one on the other side too.





    It is a drain line for the windshield and dash, can follow it up to connection. Be sure it doesn't get pulled up so as to have a loop with a low spot. Also one on the other side as Dave indicated. The vent in the cowl drains into a single central tube that discharges to the right of the motor. If you don't have it in place, it will wet the no's 6 and 5 plugs in a frog-strangler. Voice of experience! :D Walt-LA
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I figured it was a drain tube of some sort, but it struck me as kind of odd that it would be routed from the inside of the dashboard to the outside of the car. I will get back up under there this evening and see if I missed something. It was really stiff, so I don't think there will be a problem with there getting a loop in it.
    Thanks, Bob
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Rubber gets hard from age and exposure. Before leakage occurs, it might not be a bad idea to replace that stiff tubing with something fresh and pliable.
  • hornet53
    hornet53 Senior Contributor
    Is that a short wheelbase thing or is it that way on all the stepdowns? Maybe I should go look for myself...
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    hornet53 wrote:
    Is that a short wheelbase thing or is it that way on all the stepdowns? Maybe I should go look for myself...



    Not just a short wheelbase thing. Better check it out.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    You are right about it being a drain for the dash and the windshield. Why would they put it on the inside of the car? Was the performance of the defroster such as they anticipated a large amount of condensation on the inside of the car? Or were they foreseeing a soda being set on the dash and knocked over by flailing feet at the drive-in movie? In either case, the drain tube would be more than capable of draining a large amount of liquid from the inside of the windshield. I have made sure that both of mine are straight and not clogged. Thanks for the help.
    Bob
  • Walt-LA
    Walt-LA Senior Contributor
    Swasp76063 wrote:
    You are right about it being a drain for the dash and the windshield. Why would they put it on the inside of the car? Was the performance of the defroster such as they anticipated a large amount of condensation on the inside of the car? Or were they foreseeing a soda being set on the dash and knocked over by flailing feet at the drive-in movie? In either case, the drain tube would be more than capable of draining a large amount of liquid from the inside of the windshield. I have made sure that both of mine are straight and not clogged. Thanks for the help.

    Bob





    Think I'd go with condensation...:) Walt



    Woops.. Body Service Manual covers retro fitting of windshield drain tube to 48-49 models. Apparently started production with drain in 490 series cars at SN 491-38746. Reason: (to) "provide means for carrying away water entering around windshield."



    Walt
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Walt-LA wrote:
    Think I'd go with condensation...:) Walt



    Woops.. Body Service Manual covers retro fitting of windshield drain tube to 48-49 models. Apparently started production with drain in 490 series cars at SN 491-38746. Reason: (to) "provide means for carrying away water entering around windshield."



    Walt



    Hey, that's as good as the directions in the 1930 Chevrolet workshop manual, instructing you where to fit shims under the door posts WHEN the body sags!!! So much for "Body by Fisher"!!

    Geoff.
  • EssexAdv
    EssexAdv Expert Adviser, Member
    The first step-downs did not have the drains. There is a service bulletin dated about October 1949 advising dealers of a retro fit to correct the common windshield leak problem.

    This retro-fit included the hoses, rubber grommets and the necessary fittings for the bottom of the windshield.

    Once they created the retro-it I guess they never saw the need to change the design and just put the fix on the production cars.
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