The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk flip-up vent

I'm undecided about whether to keep my flip-up hood vent on 53 chevy pickup. Are these a big source of leaks or other problems?? I'm trying to keep as much of original look as reasonable but am willing to upgrade/improve where appropriate. It would be easy to eliminate with a little welding and fab work but I kinda like the look of it. Opinions/ideas appreciated.

I vote for keeping it. You can get a new gasket for next to nothing. I think they are a cool feature.
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Rick

You gotta keep it. That's one of the coolest things on these old trucks. With a new gasket there's no way it'll leak. Besides that it is very functionable on a warm day.

Better than AC!!....Keep it! I love mine.

Speaking of the vent, has anyone come up with a clean routing for the drain hose so it doesn't drain on the valve cover?

I'm going to just lengthen the rubber hose and let it drain onto the ground

I put a new gasket on mine ... with the windows open and the vent open, it's amazing!

Keep it!

I put the standard drain hose on mine (NO leaks EVER) and then put 1-inch wire loom over it, making it longer and making it look better.

I also painted the grill flat black ... when it's in the full open position I think it adds to the looks of the truck BIG time!

Im keeping mine too! Carpet's not in yet, so I ran the hose longer and it drains above the transmission.
I like the idea of black insert, Flying Tigers would look cool too! (Shark teeth like on ww2 aircraft)

Keep it. You gotta man. I agree that with the windows down and the vent open cruising down the road it works great. I just replaced my gasket and haven't had a problem with leaking.

-Chris

it also incourages one to keep the floors clean. ron the practical one.

KEEP IT! They work great.

Keep it!

Buddy

That's one of the feature of the truck that I like best. I spent hours disassembling, cleaning painting and reassembling that thing. I'm glad I did when I drive it in the summer. My truck is black and has no heat barrier on the floor. It's like sitting in an oven at a stoplight,
Scott

I definately say keep it!! I really like the idea of painting some teeth or flames or something on the grill-just something subtle though!!

You gotta keep the crotch cooler. ;-]

I'll join the ranks and say keep it. I also have the side vent on my 49 and it sure is nice to have that cool air. Most are covered with something but heat still gets thru. I saw one on a truck and someone had lettered "GM Factory Air" on the screen. I read somewhere that there were originally 74 holes in the firewall for various hoses, wires and such. I used a piece of heater hose on the vent drain and carried it thru to the ground. If you do that run the hose thru the firewall hole and it will line up almost exactly with the spout.