The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop The Hood Leaks!!!

I have a problem with my 1950 3600. When it rains, water works its way through the center seam on the hood and drips onto the valve cover. The valve cover has slots or vents in it and then the water runs down into the crankcase. What is a good way to seal this center seam?

I'm not a body/metal man but I think I'd pull off the center strip, run a nice bead of sealer down the middle and then reinstall the center strip....and of course put a dab of sealer where the anchors for the center strip come through.

.....I might ask, are you sure its from the center strip or is water on the valve cover coming from a mis-aligned drain hose for the cowl vent? Just had to ask.

I first thought it was the cowl vent drain so I put an extra piece of hose on it to run it down to the side of the block. After rain, there is still puddles of water on top of the valve cover.
How is the center strip removed?

Gazz,

Sounds like you eliminated the cowl drain hose as a possibility. So, your center strip does seem like it is the likely area where the water is coming from. Your center strip is held in place by 16, 1/4 inch tabs. They fit into stots on both sides of the hood center seam. The tabs are off set about a 1/2 inch. If you open your hood, you should see them. They need to be straightened out, for the center strip to be removed. I like Achipmunk's idea of running a bead of good sealer down the center line and dabbing a bit in each tab slot. Hope this makes sense. If so, hope it helps you with your issue. Good luck.

Rugo

Took a look at the underside of the hood and I see tabs. Should be easy enough to remove. Hopefully I'll get to that today after I finish putting on the shake shingles on the new shed.
Thanks for your replies and comments!

Gazz,

Keep us posted. Let us know if that fixes your water issue.

Rugo

Seems odd to me that others are not having identical issues as you. Is the seam of the hood wet on the underside? Does this happen every time it rains, or just torrential head-on sideways downpours? I'm not doubting whether your valve cover is wet. I'm just suggesting further assessment before you go to all of the trouble of removing the center strip.
Carl

i had the same problem , i ran exterior caulk down both sides of the center strip ,squeezed it in with my finger then wiped as much as i could off with a wet rag.it has worked for about two years. my truck was a faded light blue and the caulk i used was a light gray. if my paint was nice i'd match it better. but it stopped the leak

...since the weather is getting colder may I suggest taking it easy on the tabs if removing the center strip. I learned a long time ago that "cold" things snap a lot quicker than hot ones. Take it easy if the weather up your way it cold!

I was having similar issues with the water getting onto my HEI distributor (V8) and forming nice puddles on my air cleaner top,this is exactly what I did Alvin,so all I need now is a hood strip!

Jock, ole pal, order a new one, send it to my house and I'll see if Fed-X can get it to you!

jock

i can't sent you a pm ....... it says you don't exist ??


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so
here is a switch company you asked about some time ago
http://www.elecdirect.com/catalog/cole-hersee-switches/cole-hersee-rotary-headlamp-switches

We do really need a better aftermarket heater switch solution. Some people do not have the original switch (which is far better) so thanks for the link. The problem will be trying to make the knob look stock or at least vintage. But thats called an obstacle! We can do it.

Thanks for the offer Alvin,to be honest I can get one this side of the pond,i'm just lacking 'disposable income' at the moment.

Plus,having one sent from the States makes me think of pretzels for some reason.....what are the chances of a hood strip arriving intact?

That's strange Jim,i'm still alive and kicking. (I think?)

Thanks for the link,to be honest the jalopy's got over 5500miles under it's belt now,I've got all the electrics buttoned up a long time ago,but that's a handy site for future reference.

here is what i did to fashion up my 'loook a like'' knob


http://s67.photobucket.com/user/1951otter/media/0A.jpg.html?sort=6&o=231

http://s67.photobucket.com/user/1951otter/media/1A-1.jpg.html?sort=6&o=230

http://s67.photobucket.com/user/1951otter/media/21.jpg.html?sort=6&o=229

http://s67.photobucket.com/user/1951otter/media/005_5.jpg.html?sort=6&o=224


i bent a metal strap 2x, drilled 2 holes to work with the new switch and old knob to dash threaded piece. connected them together with a piece of threaded connector 'coupler nut'' but i drilled into the coupler nut and threaded 2 allenhead set screws.

so

each end, the switch stem meet the knob stub and both are held inside the coupler nut by 2 set screws

i used the '' C '' knob for climate control. that's my heater switch

actually the new 2 speed heater switch was too fat to fit where I wanted it to be located so i had to devise this trick

...what are the chances of a hood strip arriving intact? big_eek


i ended up getting three of them because the boys in shipping couldn't seam to get their acts together............ ho hummmmmmm