The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Vent Cowl @ firewall - still leaks despite efforts

So, I've just finished restoration of the interior of my '53 half ton ..... took the Cowl panel Vent out to get the winshield installed. Now the darn thing leaks like a sieve. I have tried BOTH market products - the "original" sponge type seal and the newer rubber seal, but nothing works. I have had this thing in and out, constantly adjusting then testing with water hose - to no success. It still leaks. Any pointers on this?

Got pics?

I have not gotten to the point of putting mine back in but have researched the leak issue. Make sure to use a good weather stripping glue in the groove, put the rubber in place and close the vent until it is dry. This should give a better seal than peal and stick. That makes sure you are sealed at the bottom. Next it has been suggested that you run a bead of caulk or silicon under the vent edge and smooth it down with your finger to a thin coat. This should give a good seal at the top. Like I said I haven't gotten there yet and it may not work but it sounds like from other post on this site and others that this will give you your best shot as keeping dry.
Let me know how it goes.

Be sure your test with the water hose is not exceeding the design parameters of the vent. I doubt that the vent gasket is designed to be water tight. Rather, the vent cover is just a loose fitting lid and my guess is that the gasket is to reduce air through the closed vent. That is why the original is sponge material.

Be sure that the space around the vent opening is clean and that there are no obstructions to the vent drain (the hose that points down at the rear of the valve cover in the engine compartment). If you think about it, rain (while driving or standing) would be shed off of the vent cover, around the edges and out the drain.

If you flood it with a hose, I think you will be guaranteed to have water in the cab. Try replicating rain with your hose nozzle (coming down vertically and not too hard) and see if it stays dry. You should have water coming out the drain hose, too.

Kent

The rubber hose that drains it broken or gone?

Might the water be leaking in around the windshield seal?

I'm seeing lots of theories here,but one question.

Why did you remove the cowl vent to install the windshield in the first place??

I tend to agree with Lightholders Dad on this one.
I imagine hosing the water on would overwhelm the drain hence the leaks.
It might just be you are spraying too much water at an angle that the cowl vent wasn't designed to handle.

Just a thought.......