My '52 GMC 150 came to me with no gasket on the top cowl vent. Leaks worse than the Titanic. I ordered this http://www.classicparts.com/1947-53-Top-Cowl-Vent-Gasket-Molded/productinfo/34-012/#.Upa0F02A2Uk from Classic parts. This is the molded rubber (not foam) part. I'd like to get installation advice from one or more of you who have actually used this part and were happy about the results. My inclination is to use yellow 3M Weatherstrip 8001 or maybe the black 8008 3M product. I assume that the flat side of the gasket should be glued to the underside of the movable cowl vent. Is there an easy way to remove the movable cowl vent? Once glued on, should I close the vent to hold the gasket in place, or does that risk moving the gasket? First person experience only please.
I followed what Russ did in his rebuild thread. No idea what page it was on, but it was pretty straight forward. I have yet to see if it holds water, as at the time I didn't have the weatherstripping on the cowl for the hood. Funny how holes that should have screws in them leak like a sieve without them... I always had a neat waterfall thing going on when I washed my truck. I have yet to see how much that has slowed since everything is more as it should be. A new drain hose for the vent did help slow the flow however.
The cowl vent can be removed by undoing the hardware that holds it to the arm used to raise and lower it. (good luck) Once this is done, you can pull it straight out. Then, get a 3M wheel and clean the trough out that the gasket will be glued into. Prime and paint this area, then after the paint has cured, apply glue as directed and stick that rubber in place. (I think the gasket comes with adhesive in a tube.) (I forget.)
Cowl vent Bill Its reallly a straight foreward job! Clean the surface and ad some good all weather adhesive on the rubber strip and steel surface. Let it then dry in 60 minutes and close the cowl vent. Open the cowl vent next day and close it again to watch if it sits in the right location ! Martinius.