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Flood damage

S

studmobile

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Have always read that flood damaged cars should be avoided, but what are the worst issues? Certainly wiring, interior, and lower pinch welds. In most restorations, you most likely will be restoring/replacing the interior, and repairing any rust, and rebuilding mechanical components. Can the lower parts of the fenders or rockers, and the inside of box sections, be cleaned out adequately? If water got in there, can it also be displaced? Or is dipping the only option?
Thanks, inquiring minds just want to know, David
 
For cars like ours, flooding isn't the death knell that it is for modern cars. You're correct that all
electrics , mechanical and sheet metal are delt with during restoration. As far as modern cars go,
it's usually up to the insurance company as the value to repair is usually greater than the value of
the car. It's a nightmare to fix electrical issues with modern stuff.
 
I lived in a flash flood area.
First is drain all fluids. Next remove all trapped water. I knew a guy that took car to the desert and shot some holes on the floor pan. Much better is the drill and punch method. All interior is stripped gauges removed and drained as well.

Modern cars if the water is in the electronics it's significantly harder. Salt water vs fresh other factors. I've seen hundreds of ruined cars and unlike this picture only Herbie floats.

There was a Tiger recently sunk in San Diego... More on that later.
 

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...and allegedly a Sunbeam Venezia was lost in the Grand Canal due to a poorly applied handbrake.

Oh, and loved the VW ad, Warren - one of my favourite National Lampoon parodies.

1732311876069.jpeg
 
Tiger I worked on years ago was in fresh water flooded. There was silt about 3/4 way up the front driving lights so dash and gauges survived fine. Rockers, frame X member, A post interior, B post interior access areas all completly filled with dirt, stuff and small rocks. All seemed to cleanup fine but I took path of drilling a lot some small holes to get power washer inside everywhere, multiple times, completely disassembled, replaced carpets, seats were big sponges and took those apart also. Put car in steep slant position to help drain. Long story short it was a huge mess and huge project - hope to never do that again. Also ended up rebuilding engine, trans, rear end (was going to do that anyway).
 
The area I lived in was down from a reservoir. The street also ponded and the storm drains backed up. It was rain water and mostly filled with trash and everything else that goes down storm drains.

If cars get their motors wet then sit while some insurance adjuster takes a week or two to get there that's bad and likely the norm.

The Tiger I me mentioned was in San Diego. It was sold and the owner got a gift of a payout on a reproduction VIN tag car that was a mediocre respray in a copper tone metallic . I don't recall the number but it went to Santa Barbara without a salvage title I believe.
 
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