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Wilma flooded my Bugeye

GreenHornet

Jedi Trainee
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I had put the taneau cover on my car, a tarp over that then a car cover over it and tied it up like a birthday present with rope and put two mulch bags on top of all that. 110 mph winds still managed to blow all that off and soak the inside. I went out during the peak to try to save things and got stung by sideways rain trying to salvage a mess. Thank God the neighbors had storm shutters up so the could not see me making a fool out of my self in the downpour. I had to go in for a 12 hour shift so I do not know the extent of the damage. I imagine it is quite full. We had about 12" of rain in about 4 hours. Main thing is the family is safe and sound so is the house. No power though. I will asess things in the morning.
 
Hopefully you have vinyl seats and nylon carpets.
2 days in the sun and it will dry out.
As I watch the rements of Wilma soak the inside of one of my Sprite when the back window ripped completey out tonight when I put it up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I just ordered a new top.
 
Sorry to hear of your difficulties. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

If you can pull the carpets that can help speed the drying. I hope at least that it was clean rain water.
 
Sorry to hear that. Be thankful it wasen't a modern car. That probably would have totaled the car with the electrical damage.
(that dosen't show up until after you settle with the insurance co.)
 
I pulled things apart and tried to dry as much as I could. The weather is nice now so I am gonna let it air dry for a day or so. I threw in some cloth bags I filled with water absobant beads I got from the garden store, the stuff in baby diapers, and threw about 6 of them on the floor. I did not start it up yet to see about electric problems. Hope that is not an issue.
Still no power or water at the house. WWWEEEEEEEEEEE! Like camping! Working 12 hour shifts still and for the forseeable future. At least I have internet access, for the time being at least, in the police car.
 
I know your pain -- I lost a 59 TR3 I had just finished restoring and a '99 Corvette with 13,800 miles on the clock back in 2001's Tropical Storm Allison in TX. I actually made out extremely well on the insurance, but like you, my largest fears were all about just keeping my family safe while the water rose. (My wife was at the hospital during her residency -- luckily residents had to park on the upper levels of the parking garage -- all the attending physician cars were flooded!)

If flood waters were in the car, you'll definitely want to degrease the interior. You'll also quickly realize that if the water was high enough to reach the top of the oil pan, there's most definitely water in your pan, diff and trans. My TR3's oil shot out the dipstick hole!!! (Water was 22" high.)

When you get power, take a blowdryer to the gauges/electicals (on cool setting.) Lucas connectors rust quickly!

Good luck -- stay safe and let us know how you're doing.
 
Thanks for yer thoughts Sam and all. Still no power. I think I will change the oil as soon as I get some time off from the 3pm to 3 am shifts we have been on. Thankfully there was no flood water damage, only heavy rain water. We are on a big sand pile here in Florida. Had not thought about the connections rusting. I may have to treat them with something to prevent future problems.
Thanks to all for your thoughts! This is a great place to to let off some frustration about things that are out of my control!
 
Niceville FL here. No real Hurricane problems this year but I share your pain.
I had a bugeye for over 30 years. Sigh.
Now that I am retired wife has said that I should have another. The first was made from three cars. Sooooo.
I am looking for a good body shell to start with. Any condition for starters.
Any ideas, I have found them in back yards, garages, etc.
Try me at jlaird237@cox.net
 
I feel your woes Green Hornet. We got hit pretty much thesame as you down here in Tequesta. Luckily though I had the foresight to put the bug-eye up on jackstands back when we got hit with Frances and Jean. I also wrapped her up like an x-mas package with rope and a blue tarp. All that was left of my wrap job was a lot of rope wound around the car with whisps of blue tarp hanging off it. I was afraid it was going to blow off the stands, but I think what saved it was storing my drive-on ramps (2 sets) under the car (Ground effects/aerodynamics!!??) The interior is still pretty wet, but drying out. You got power back yet? We were out for 9 days. Funny though wasn't really planning a camping trip! Well didn't have to do the trip part anyway. More fun camping at home, those pesky things you always forget to take on a trip are right at hand this way!
 
The best product to use for electrical connections is a product called Stabilant 22A. I have always been shocked that this stuff is not more widely used on our British cars. The guys over on the Ferrari boards swear by it, and owners of Italian cars have almost as many electrical devils as us British car guys! All you do is unplug your connections, apply contact cleaner, perhaps sand or wire brush them if they are really bad, and swab the Stabilant on with a Q-tip. You will be amazed at how many electirical problems in the average old car will be cured by simply cleaning and coating all the electrical connections. I have used it for several years on my MG and other cars, and it not only fixed the intermittent electrical problems I was having, but I have had NONE since (knock on wood).

Here is the link to one of the many threads about it: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59665&highlight=stabilant

And for more detailed and specific information: https://www.posthorn.com/Stab_2.html

And the best price I could find, although you have to dilute this yourself: https://www.micro-tools.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MT&Product_Code=22
 
Been working my arss off here at work and this weekend I am going to take it out for a spin. Seems to be all back in order! BugMike, we got power back pretty quick this time, I think cuz most of the debris was removed after last years hurricanes!Things getting back to normal. You might have to make the trip up to the Treasure Coast Mall some Tuesday nite for "Gweeds"show. Not enough LBC cars there and certainly not enough Healeys!
 
Soon as I get her back on the road I will definitly makeit up to Treasure Coast Mall. Sounds like fun and we do have to represent LBCs as much as possible. Tues. nights are rough though as that is my dart-league night. Some Tue. when I have a bye or something I will look forward to meeting you.
 
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