Installing New Hood to Cowl Seal Question

[Already Gone]

Okay, got a nice new hood to cowl seal from Precision. When I removed the original I had to pull with pliers to get the old one out, well 40+ years of crud and its been there since the truck was built, but looking at the new one there is a lip along the back of the seal and because of that i think will be very difficult to push into place unless I remove the cowl before installing the new seal. Am I right? I thought this was going to be a 5 minute job but its not looking that way now.

[dazza]

You shouldn't have to fully remove the cowl. Loosen up the bolts and you can raise the front enough to get it in there.

[1968aj]

I just replaced mine. cowl cover removal is easy. while you have it off clean it out good . get you a tube of seam sealer and reseal everything you can.this will help with any water leaks you have or will have

[custom70]

When I replaced mine I already had the cowl off. The new one makes the rear of my hood stick up though. I guess it needs to be broken in?

[Andy4639]

5 minute job!!! What are you thinking man. There is no such a thing on a 40 year old truck.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

5 minute job!!! What are you thinking man. There is no such a thing on a 40 year old truck.

Yep, I'm learning that.

[Andy4639]

Cowl isn't hard to get off but it's nice to have a helper so you don't scratch the paint. I have done it with out one but would rather have somebody help.

You can take all the screws loose and loosen the 4 bolts and it should give you enough to slip it under the cowl.
Yes a new one will have to be seated on the truck for a while for the hood to sit right.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Cowl isn't hard to get off but it's nice to have a helper so you don't scratch the paint. I have done it with out one but would rather have somebody help.

You can take all the screws loose and loosen the 4 bolts and it should give you enough to slip it under the cowl.
Yes a new one will have to be seated on the truck for a while for the hood to sit right.

Thanks Andy, its already off and its not the first one I removed. I got my wife to help me lift it off and will probably use her to help sitting it back on the truck. Its surprisingly clean under there. I am sitting here contemplating whether to hot glue a piece of screen under the cowl or order black plastic insert for it.

[Andy4639]

Use the black screen. I did and it looks good today. Been 10 are so years ago now.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I am sitting here contemplating whether to hot glue a piece of screen under the cowl or order black plastic insert for it.

Make it easy on yourself and buy one of these. Available in satin stainless or black painted steel. It also hides the ugly crap that lurks below. Not expensive. Simple install without drilling.

[Redline novdog]

Just putting on the seal is no biggy. go alittle more and clean out the cowl area and put in a screen to keep the debris out

[Ironangel]

I'm thinking/hoping that spring is a factory air item because my truck dont have it. My truck(s) dont have factory air and I noticed they dont have that little white gizzy with what looks like a shaft running through it...? I had my cowl off to epoxy in some stainless screen door material to keep the trash out, and to install a new hood to cowl seal. Like everyone else the hood was a little resistant to the new rubber so I gave it a good shot of WD-40 and "Wahlah!" she hood closed more easily and after a couple of days of engine heat the hood sits as good as ever...~Ghostrider~

[1968aj]

if you had leaves in the corners you probably have more down in there you can not see. I stick my leaf blower in there as far as I can and try to blow everything I can out of there.. most trucks I have seen get the most rust damage in this area from dirt and leaf accumulation.

[72 Super]

Originally Posted by 1968aj

if you had leaves in the corners you probably have more down in there you can not see. I stick my leaf blower in there as far as I can and try to blow everything I can out of there.. most trucks I have seen get the most rust damage in this area from dirt and leaf accumulation.

That is correct. I also removed my kick panel vents and got a lot of leaves/debris out that way.

Ray

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Is this an AC truck thing?

Originally Posted by Ironangel

I'm thinking/hoping that spring is a factory air item because my truck dont have it. My truck(s) dont have factory air and I noticed they dont have that little white gizzy with what looks like a shaft running through it...?

Yes. All that stuff is only used with factory A/C.

Jim

[DeadheadNM]

Good info here on the spring. Are these visible with the cowl installed? Asking as my AC cabs both have cowl screens now and I don't recall seeing a spring in either when I did the install.

[Andy4639]

A easy mod is do away with that flapper under the cowl. Take all of it out vacuum flapper rod springs all of it. Seal it off good and tight. The AC will get colder after you have driven it a while because no fresh air is getting inside the cab. And if you do want some fresh air just pull the drivers side vent open a little.
Always leave the passenger side vent open and it is recirculating the cab air so it will get plenty cool after a nice long ride.
I did mine when I bought all the new 134A stuff and I'm telling you it's worth the time.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Good info here on the spring. Are these visible with the cowl installed? Asking as my AC cabs both have cowl screens now and I don't recall seeing a spring in either when I did the install.

I think it depends on what you have for a screen. With the one I showed above, the answer would probably be "no". Frankly, I don't recall if it's visible through the slots in the cowl, but I'd think so depending on the viewing angle.

Jim