How to prevent Mark VIII rust (especially rocker panels)

[Shevretti]

Hello!

Finally after a few weeks of shipping from Houston, TX, I picked up my "new" '97 LSC from port in Bremerhaven, Germany and drove it home to Krakow, PL. It's in perfect condition inside-out with only 80K miles (was 75K in October).

The main reason I got it was that fixing my '97 Mark VIII (Base-Ivory) would cost over 50% of what I invested in the new LSC and it will still have 140K miles on the engine with badly rattling timing chain at startup.

Here are some pics of how rocker panels rusted in my Ivory Mark VIII - they weren't much better when I got it. I'm not driving the Mark VIII too much in winter, but sometimes I have/need to. I noticed that in every Mark VIII rocker panels rust in the same spots: left side rear in front or rear wheel (the worst), other side in front of rear wheel is not that bad, and front left side of rocker panel has a rusty crack.

Is there a way to prevent this kind of rust in these cars? Is it true that sunroof drains cause this kind of rust? Should I drill vent holes in the new LSC where the sunroof drains go? Or maybe I should also seal something?
What caused the cracked rusty front part of rocker panel? Is it possible that driving with front suspension down is causing a stress in this part of the vehicle?

Thanks in advance for helpful info!
Mariusz...

 

[steve]

do they salt the rods in the winter there? if so you need to keep your underside washed after you drive it on salt roads.

 

[beerdog]

I live in what us Yanks call the Rust Belt. Rust can't be stopped. Especially if your roads are salted as steve states. But you can take measures to slow it down. You can always get it rust proofed every year or 2. It does not absolutly prevent rust but it helps. Parking the car in a garage (heated garage better) makes a huge difference since it helps the salty water drain and dry. Frequent washings including an underbody flush helps. The best is obviously not driving the car in the winter, but you need 2 cars for that.

 

[95blklsc]

Parking the car in a garage (heated garage better) makes a huge difference since it helps the salty water drain and dry.

A garage definitely helps keep it dry, but heat accelerates any oxidation reaction. So if you bring your car in wet and salty on a regular basis I would not keep the garage heated. This is basic chemistry.

A small fan to keep air under the car moving around to help dry it can be useful though.

 

[Lvnmarks]

I always thought about some drain holes, but the best way is like they all say. Keep her away from the salt. I have a car that I am willingly sacrificing to the rust gods in order to save my Mark VIII

 

[Shevretti]

All the rust in my Ivory Mark VIII started while the car was still in Brooklyn, NY. First owner used to drive it all year long and kept it in heated garage, the second owner in Poland did exactly the same thing and than I bought the car.

It looks like all the rocker panel rust started from inside out. That's why I thought that filling them up with one of those petroleum waxes may be a good idea, but it seems like there are no access holes there?

I used to drive '87 Thunderbird daily for a few years, it had rocker panels filled with Tectyl ML (not sure if it's called the same is US). It still looks great, no rust at all (I sold it to my friend who drives it daily too). But it has factory drain holes in rocker panels.

Of course I'll try to avoid harsh winter conditions with the new LSC, but I already had to drive it in rain/snow from Germany, and I'm sure roads were covered with salt.

95blklsc - You're right, it's a good idea to put air circulating fan in the garage for sure