Evening all, I’ve been making good progress on the interior of my ‘53, but one (very) annoying hang up is that the cowl vent is frozen shut. I’ve tried spraying some places with penetrating oil, but I’m not sure if I’m hitting the actual pivot points. Anyone else dealt with this and maybe have a guide of where I should be trying to “persuade” it?
'53 GMC 3100 "I think your obsession with auto shop stems from your unresolved feelings about your father" -Bobby Hill
Most likely the problem point is the control lever under the dash. It's pretty tight in the first place.
This first photo shows the pivot point right at the vent itself, and the two holes on the red parts are where the linkage connects with two small carriage bolts on each side. I replaced the pivot points on my truck which were worn pretty badly. I used shoulder rivets that required drilling the tabs that are welded to the cowl.
The second photo shows the pivot points (yellow arrows) - one off-picture to the right, the spring-loaded detent (red arrow), and linkage and support attaching bolt locations (green arrows) - the ones at the firewall are off on the right.
I would recommend removing the linkage and soaking it in a rust removal product such as Evaporust. Then loosen things up, including the spring-loaded detent. It could very well be that the detent ball is stuck in one of the holes you can see in the second picture.
Last edited by klhansen; 10/01/20266:09 PM. Reason: added last arrow description
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
