cowl vent- remove or leave it? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LOW A D · 11-24-2013, 12:17 PM

Just wondering how many are leaving the cowl vent on your trucks? On my very first hotrod, about 25 years ago, I left the cowl vent and found it to be great for ventilation, however, it always leaked water. Since then I have welded up the cowl vent on every truck I built and put in A/C. On the truck I am building now I want to leave the vent and not run A/C. My question is for the ones using the stock cowl vents, do they leak water? are you using the stock lever to open and close or going to an electric setup? Thanks, Greg

nvrdone · 11-24-2013, 12:51 PM

I've got the stock cowl vent in my '49. After 40 years of ownership & a couple of seals, I still have no leaks. It's just a matter of adjustment & a good drain hose. And that's in Seattle's rain

**mr48chev** · 11-24-2013, 02:51 PM

Nvrdone pretty well nailed it, Good gasket, good adjustment and a really good drain hose. I like the looks of it better with the vent in place but many like the filled and smoothed panel better.

**youngrodder** · 11-24-2013, 03:41 PM

I kept mine. I even converted it over to open electrically. I think it is one of the features that adds character.

Marc

YahamaR1 · 11-24-2013, 03:56 PM

I think they belong on the trucks.
I got it on my truck, but I welded it on the Cab,so its there but not working..

vht · 11-24-2013, 04:25 PM

Keep it! Wish the guy before me wouldn't of welded mine up.

OrrieG · 11-24-2013, 06:29 PM

They were designed to not leak, but crud and time destroy gaskets and plug drain holes. Same happens to lower hinge pockets, bottom or doors, cab corners, etc. Fix it so it seals and drains and enjoy the breeze...

LOW A D · 11-24-2013, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the comments. I really want to keep the cowl vent. I will by new seals and hope it keeps water out. Do the electric openers work well? Biggest reason I am leaning towards that is because the original mechanism takes up a lot of under dash space

Nsanehotrodz · 11-24-2013, 06:45 PM

I vote for the smooth look if your going for a custom build. Here is a pic of a 48' we're building that we are shaving the cowl vent and washer holes.

paintman · 11-24-2013, 07:10 PM

Weld it shut and smooth it??????????? Where the hell would I hide my girlfriend from my wife????????????????????

solidaxel · 11-24-2013, 07:48 PM

Glad you found this site, even if it has been a long time since you finished your stretch, and a very nice one at that
Just wanted to say Welcome from So Az
The last three AD trucks we did we added Rocky Hinge co vent openers to the stock vents, and we use Steel Rubber gaskets and they seal the outside air. For the drain vent we plumb to the condensate from the A/C and run I t"down and out"

Get Down · 11-24-2013, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngrodder

I kept mine. I even converted it over to open electrically. I think it is one of the features that adds character.

Marc

Dam that sound neat, any chance of sharing that in the form of a video, I would love to see that!

**youngrodder** · 11-24-2013, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Get Down

Dam that sound neat, any chance of sharing that in the form of a video, I would love to see that!

You mean a video of it opening?
If so I will have to give it a try I dont have experience loading video clips.

Marc

LOW A D · 11-24-2013, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngrodder

I kept mine. I even converted it over to open electrically. I think it is one of the features that adds character.

Marc

Did you buy a kit or fab the electric opener yourself?

Get Down · 11-25-2013, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngrodder

You mean a video of it opening?
If so I will have to give it a try I dont have experience loading video clips.

Marc

Yeah if you could give it a try. You would have to upload it to YouTube get a link then post it! Curious about the set up as well.....

**youngrodder** · 11-25-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOW A D

Did you buy a kit or fab the electric opener yourself?

I bought a motor that was designed for opening a cowl vent and just modified it for my application. It was very easy.

Here is a link to where I bought it.
http://rockyhinge.com/store/page18.html

Marc

LOW A D · 11-25-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngrodder

I bought a motor that was designed for opening a cowl vent and just modified it for my application. It was very easy.

Here is a link to where I bought it.
http://rockyhinge.com/store/page18.html

Marc

I looked at that one and liked it, nice to hear from someone who has actually used it. Solidaxle and you have both used it and liked it so that is what i will get, Thanks

_Ogre · 11-26-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOW A D

I really want to keep the cowl vent.

answered yourself i see

11-24-2013, 12:17 PM	#1
LOW A D Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 177	cowl vent- remove or leave it? Just wondering how many are leaving the cowl vent on your trucks? On my very first hotrod, about 25 years ago, I left the cowl vent and found it to be great for ventilation, however, it always leaked water. Since then I have welded up the cowl vent on every truck I built and put in A/C. On the truck I am building now I want to leave the vent and not run A/C. My question is for the ones using the stock cowl vents, do they leak water? are you using the stock lever to open and close or going to an electric setup? Thanks, Greg

11-24-2013, 12:51 PM	#2
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,482	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? I've got the stock cowl vent in my '49. After 40 years of ownership & a couple of seals, I still have no leaks. It's just a matter of adjustment & a good drain hose. And that's in Seattle's rain

11-24-2013, 02:51 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,718	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? Nvrdone pretty well nailed it, Good gasket, good adjustment and a really good drain hose. I like the looks of it better with the vent in place but many like the filled and smoothed panel better. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-24-2013, 03:41 PM	#4
youngrodder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotts, Michigan Posts: 3,774	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? I kept mine. I even converted it over to open electrically. I think it is one of the features that adds character. Marc __________________ …………...........__________ .................. ((__\|__\|\|___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;..;((_(O))____ (_(O)) 1948 Chevy Truck - Finished SOLD!! 1953 Chevy Suburban "Family Truckster" Completed: Spring of 2021 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605484 1994 4x4 Blazer - "Field Find" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ferrerid=30857

11-24-2013, 03:56 PM	#5
YahamaR1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 547	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? I think they belong on the trucks. I got it on my truck, but I welded it on the Cab,so its there but not working.. __________________ My chevy 51...... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=541148 www.knutselracing.nl

11-24-2013, 04:25 PM	#6
vht Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Brooksville Ky Posts: 531	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? Keep it! Wish the guy before me wouldn't of welded mine up.

11-24-2013, 06:29 PM	#7
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? They were designed to not leak, but crud and time destroy gaskets and plug drain holes. Same happens to lower hinge pockets, bottom or doors, cab corners, etc. Fix it so it seals and drains and enjoy the breeze... __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

11-24-2013, 06:40 PM	#8
LOW A D Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 177	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? Thanks for the comments. I really want to keep the cowl vent. I will by new seals and hope it keeps water out. Do the electric openers work well? Biggest reason I am leaning towards that is because the original mechanism takes up a lot of under dash space

11-24-2013, 06:45 PM	#9
Nsanehotrodz Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: White Pine, TN Posts: 1,261	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? I vote for the smooth look if your going for a custom build. Here is a pic of a 48' we're building that we are shaving the cowl vent and washer holes. __________________ www.nsanehotrodz.com customerservice@nsanehotrodz.com 865-761-0460 Tennessee's #1 HotRod Shop!

11-24-2013, 07:10 PM	#10
paintman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: washington NJ Posts: 766	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? Weld it shut and smooth it??????????? Where the hell would I hide my girlfriend from my wife????????????????????

11-24-2013, 07:48 PM	#11
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: cowl vent- remove or leave it? Glad you found this site, even if it has been a long time since you finished your stretch, and a very nice one at that Just wanted to say Welcome from So Az The last three AD trucks we did we added Rocky Hinge co vent openers to the stock vents, and we use Steel Rubber gaskets and they seal the outside air. For the drain vent we plumb to the condensate from the A/C and run I t"down and out" __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42



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