1963-65 Riviera rear rocker panel drain opening

[OldGerman]

Hello 1st. gen Riviera owners,

 

can somebody tell me, if the inner rocker panel drain opening was plugged somehow ? (see picture)

 

Does somebody has a picture, how this plug looks like.  Was it made by rubber, by steel, or did BUICK just leave it open ?

 

Thank you all for your help on this question.

 

Frank

 

 

 

[68RIVGS]

Don't think they were left open Frank.

On '68 inner rocker panels, drain holes were plugged with a rubber insert that had a flap style cover to allow dirt and moisture to come out. These access points could also be used to oil spray the inaccessible, untreated, interior surfaces of the rocker panel to slow down or prevent premature rusting.

Edited March 12, 2016 by 68RIVGS (see edit history)

[Seafoam65]

                        I just looked at my car......there is a rubber flap that hangs over the bottom big square hole. It has a rubber block

built into the top of it that snaps into the small hole on the top . That's  what holds it on. the rubber flap is not    attached to the bottom hole in any way, it just hangs over it like a curtain.

[kdml]

Here's a picture of what covers the hole.  They install exactly how Winston explained

 

Doug

[Rivman]

Cars shows them in their Riviera catalog ...

 

(Group 8) Hood • Front Fenders • Rocker Panels

 

Here is a link to the page ... if it works ...

 

http://www.oldbuickparts.com/cart/pdf/catriv/riv08.pdf

 

The part number is RP635, it is listed on the right column of the second page at the bottom.

 

Found another link that takes you to a buy it now page, same price but more current I believe ...

 

http://www.oldbuickparts.com/cart/product_info.php?products_id=859

 

I'm not sure if there are others that have it, I just ran across it while looking at something else.

Edited March 13, 2016 by Rivman (see edit history)

[devildog93]

Interesting. My hole in the rocker panels looked nothing like that. I had a circular hole that was plugged with a rubber boot. It is about the size of a quarter. Never mind, that hole is in the rear quarters on the inside.

Edited March 13, 2016 by devildog93 (see edit history)

[OldGerman]

Hello.

Thank you all for the info and pictures.

That is a simple plug, but it totally make sense, because it keeps the way open for water to flow out and covers against dirt to come in.

 

I will order them with the next bulk order at CARS Inc. 

Thanks again !!

 

Frank

[cool57]

They didn't always drain well, dirt and sand would collect and plug the drain. I used to remove, clean, flush panel, and reinstall on my Pontiac Grandville convertible.

[lrlforfun]

OK Riviera People: I can't tell how many plugs I pried out. The First-gen 1/4 panel plugs at the front of the inside apron is a pesky one. Knock it out and get in there with a hose, air hose/nozzle and vacuum cleaner and clean it out. That is a great hiding place for the Tin Worm Army to hide.   I NEVER put one back and would NEVER even consider doing so.  Mitch

[68RIVGS]

Like I stated, they certainly do allow access to oil spray, or treat the unprotected, bare interior untreated areas of the metal rocker panel. 

In addition, those lower rear quarter panels can benefit from the same treatment too.