The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Will mice build without flywheel covers installed?

After 2 weeks of it sitting i got mice in there again. I plugged the timing hole 3 weeks ago. Will they build without the tin covers? What would be wrong running without them?

I'd suggest installing a large quantity of D-Con- - - - -or a cat! Mice can get into some incredibly small spaces to set up housekeeping, including air cleaners, mufflers and tailpipes!
Jerry

A good use for old anti-freeze.

Works like a charm.

Once they have been there the odor tells the ones that follow “hey come on in” and the new mouse condo gets started. You need a hungry barn/garage cat or two. D-Con placed near every opening where mouse traffic occurs. Drive it more often.

running without the covers on the clutch area will allow a piece of gravel or anything else bouncing along the road to possibly get up in there.... I know, that is very unlikely but, it is even less unlikely with the covers on there.

Also, if you are rolling around under your truck with it running, you could get fingers or clothing sucked in there with out the covers on.

That said, I got the bottom one off on my 58, and could not get it to slide back in (trans mounts have deteriorated and settled, or the front of the engine is too low, I think) anyway, I have been running it for a couple years without it back on.

I am all for installing D-Con, but won't installing a cat make a big bloody mess? I will try it and get back to you later. Now where'd that kitty cat get off to?

I got a 1951 3600 from a friend that had been sitting by the road in the weeds. Got it home and in the shop where I could get under it. It had no cover on the clutch and was FULL of mice nest. The breather was also full and anywhere else you could think of. Took a while to get everything clear but after cleaning it all clean it ran very good. Using the 1955 235 in my 1949 now. With a clutch cover on it!!!.. Hope this helps.

Thanks 4 that answer Red. With the timing hole plugged and covers on, what about the clutch bearing fork??? I can't see putting covers on if they're gonna get in anyway.

Yeah I had the same problem, I looked all over if there was a clutch fork boot for the AD 47-53 trucks, and to the best of my research there is no factory boot, so I made one from a tire tube, it’s two big ovals that are held together with copper wire as staples, one slips inside the housing the other sits outside the housing, both tight on the fork
There is a chance the 60s trucks boot could work with modification.
But without a boot, mine will build a new nest in there.
-s

I saw what was left of a cat that was sitting on top of a Pontiac straight 8 engine one cold winter morning when the owner started it. After the cat got zapped by several spark plugs it jumped right into the fan and knocked the belt off in the process of getting turned into hairy hamburger!
Jerry

I don't have a clutch fork cover on mine, I do have one just never put it on. My truck stays in the shop now and I haven't seen any mouse but I'm sure they would get in if they found a hole to get in. I think Hot Rod has the best idea. Decon!!!

I found this little surprise under a car I tow out of a guys yard that been sitting about 2 years. I guess he got to fat for the exit.. lol