windshield drain tubes -will 55 chevy fit?

[pete324rock]

Anyone know if the mid 50's chevy windshield drain tubes will fit '56 Olds. They sure look the same in pics.......and any comments on the rear ones?

[NTX5467]

From what I remember of the '56 Chevy rear ones, they look about the same size as distributor vacuum advance rubber hose . . . at least on the outside diameter. I wouldn't think there was anything magical about the rubber composition of those hoses, especially considering the time frame they were built in . . . i.e., normal rubber hose of the correct internal and outer diameters . . . AND length.

I'd take some measurements and head to the auto parts store. The restoration vendors might sell them pre-cut to application, but you can do that yourself, too. I've also seen such hoses on '57 Chrysler Imperials! As if the new technology which brought us the bends in the windshields and back glasses didn't match the molding technologies and installation issues of the rope-in weatherstrips that sealed them. As if they expected them to leak or collect condensation, so they planned for it and added the somewhat inconspicuous drain hoses to address that problem.

Just some thoughts,
NTX5467

[pete324rock]

It is not the tube itself, that would be easy, but it is the oval shaped-more oblong rubber grommet affair that has to fit the hole and seal it and not leak around it and the tube is connected to that. A famous rust trap.