Cowl vent is stuck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**LEEVON** · 12-05-2011, 12:29 AM

The cowl vent on my '50 is stuck. All the parts are there, I stared and scratched my head for awhile but didn't touch it. I don't want to break it or bend any of the brackets, but I'm not really sure where it pivots and how to get it unstuck. Maybe it's the seal or maybe the brackets, not sure. Anybody have an idea?

Daze57 · 12-05-2011, 04:54 AM

spray it very well with p b blaster - or even some W-D 40 let it set a few hours or a day .- repeat then give it a try -CAREFULLY - ya dont need to force it or break it ,
good luck !

Spackle100 · 12-05-2011, 02:32 PM

Ditto with the PB blaster. I used that on my vents too....and the rest of my truck...

MrTucker · 12-05-2011, 02:51 PM

I very lightly pried it loose with a screw driver - it popped out without damaging anything at all. With mine, the gasket dried out and just made everything stick together. But trying to force it open with the lever didn't work, as caused the lever linkage to come apart

BlueJeep · 12-05-2011, 09:24 PM

After breaking off the rotten plastic knob, I was able to get a crescent wrench on the handle and work it loose. Go slow and watch what is happening, and stop before you cause damage.

mknittle · 12-05-2011, 11:09 PM

pb blaster let it soak and do it again!

52 Rat · 12-06-2011, 11:10 AM

Same here, I soaked mine with WD40 and kept spraying it over a period of a week. I was able to slowly start moving the handle and was able to get it open.

Daze57 · 12-06-2011, 01:29 PM

all it takes is a l'il time and patience - work it a little at a time - it'll bust loose - the tight ones usually do .

**LEEVON** · 12-08-2011, 06:14 PM

Thanks guys. Yeah, time and patience I'm always short on those but I have plenty of PB blaster, strong arms and a hard head...which might explain why I like to break things after getting them greasy, wearing out my arms and hitting my head.

I'll shoot it tonight and wait a couple days and try again. I wouldn't be having this problem right now if I had installed the brake and clutch pedals BEFORE welding in the support like I had planned. Now I am praying that once the vent moved the lever will be out of the way enough to slide them in.

beanyard · 12-09-2011, 10:37 AM

My passenger side is stuck half way open/closed I think I will be trying the methods above prior to replacing the cable.
Posted via Mobile Device

Daze57 · 12-09-2011, 02:24 PM

yeah just work it a lil at a time - itll eventually work loose - good luck !

12-05-2011, 12:29 AM	#1
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Cowl vent is stuck The cowl vent on my '50 is stuck. All the parts are there, I stared and scratched my head for awhile but didn't touch it. I don't want to break it or bend any of the brackets, but I'm not really sure where it pivots and how to get it unstuck. Maybe it's the seal or maybe the brackets, not sure. Anybody have an idea? __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

12-05-2011, 04:54 AM	#2
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Cowl vent is stuck spray it very well with p b blaster - or even some W-D 40 let it set a few hours or a day .- repeat then give it a try -CAREFULLY - ya dont need to force it or break it , good luck !

12-05-2011, 02:32 PM	#3
Spackle100 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cardiff, CA Posts: 131	Re: Cowl vent is stuck Ditto with the PB blaster. I used that on my vents too....and the rest of my truck...

12-05-2011, 02:51 PM	#4
MrTucker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 455	Re: Cowl vent is stuck I very lightly pried it loose with a screw driver - it popped out without damaging anything at all. With mine, the gasket dried out and just made everything stick together. But trying to force it open with the lever didn't work, as caused the lever linkage to come apart __________________ 1953 GMC 1/2 ton long bed Original 228 I6 with a Hydramatic Auto Tranny Project Pack Rat - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=3374649

12-05-2011, 09:24 PM	#5
BlueJeep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 1,608	Re: Cowl vent is stuck After breaking off the rotten plastic knob, I was able to get a crescent wrench on the handle and work it loose. Go slow and watch what is happening, and stop before you cause damage. __________________ build threads: 86 Suburban 88 Jeep 6.0 swap 49 Chevy truck 54 Chevy wagon 86 Suburban lowered 4/6 54 Chevy wagon 49 Chevy/s10 mix 88 Jeep Wrangler rockcrawler

12-05-2011, 11:09 PM	#6
mknittle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Auburn ca. Posts: 2,886	Re: Cowl vent is stuck pb blaster let it soak and do it again! __________________ Mark My GMC build. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=536602

12-06-2011, 11:10 AM	#7
52 Rat Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 291	Re: Cowl vent is stuck Same here, I soaked mine with WD40 and kept spraying it over a period of a week. I was able to slowly start moving the handle and was able to get it open. __________________ My build project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4158671

12-06-2011, 01:29 PM	#8
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Cowl vent is stuck all it takes is a l'il time and patience - work it a little at a time - it'll bust loose - the tight ones usually do .

12-08-2011, 06:14 PM	#9
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: Cowl vent is stuck Thanks guys. Yeah, time and patience I'm always short on those but I have plenty of PB blaster, strong arms and a hard head...which might explain why I like to break things after getting them greasy, wearing out my arms and hitting my head. I'll shoot it tonight and wait a couple days and try again. I wouldn't be having this problem right now if I had installed the brake and clutch pedals BEFORE welding in the support like I had planned. Now I am praying that once the vent moved the lever will be out of the way enough to slide them in. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

12-09-2011, 10:37 AM	#10
beanyard Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho Posts: 247	Re: Cowl vent is stuck My passenger side is stuck half way open/closed I think I will be trying the methods above prior to replacing the cable. Posted via Mobile Device

12-09-2011, 02:24 PM	#11
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Cowl vent is stuck yeah just work it a lil at a time - itll eventually work loose - good luck !



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