I have a new cowl to hood seal that I have, and was wondering if it is 100% necessary. The mounting holes were sealed off by PO and I have not seen any mystery leaks when it rains. But as the song goes "it never rains in Southern California".
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Cowl hood seal... Necessary
- Thread starter bronco t
- Start date
bknbronco
Bronco Guru
mine cracked at every fastener a week after i installed it. Id skip it for now
The square seals around the heater intake and fresh air thingy id put on to keep exhaust out of the cab though.
The square seals around the heater intake and fresh air thingy id put on to keep exhaust out of the cab though.
OP
OP
I got the square thingies covered. I will see how it goes without the cowl to hood seal. Thanks
bknbronco
Bronco Guru
you know i never could figure out what that seal actually seals up?? I have a glass tub so maybe something is different up in the cowl area, but i couldnt see a purpose? Any idea what it does? Does it keep rain out of the engine bay or oil off the windshield%)
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It keeps even flow on the air for the head light splash guards%)
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Pretty sure it has multiple purposes, but I'd bet the main one is to keep engine compartment fumes (and some heat as well) from rolling out between the hood and windshield and getting back into the cabin through the vents.
The seals around the vents under the hood keep things from direct injection, so to speak, but the bad stuff can still get back in from the outside.
A secondary function might be to help channel rain water along the cowl and down the sides directly. Keeping puddling along the flat top of the cowl area to at least somewhat of a minimum.
Both just guesses...
Paul
The seals around the vents under the hood keep things from direct injection, so to speak, but the bad stuff can still get back in from the outside.
A secondary function might be to help channel rain water along the cowl and down the sides directly. Keeping puddling along the flat top of the cowl area to at least somewhat of a minimum.
Both just guesses...
Paul
bknbronco
Bronco Guru
so if you notice that you are always getting sleepy when you drive the bronco maybe then you should use the cowl seal?
jim3326
Bronco Guru
Those were my guesses also, then I thought what fumes? It would have to be burning oil or exhaust leak, both of which kind of need to be fixed soon, especially if they are bad enough to cause health concerns.
As far as the heat, wouldn't it help with cooling in the summer as well as defrosting in the winter?;D
Jim W.
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Absolutely. Especially with the hot air coming out through the top and then going back in the vents in the summer.
And in theory at least, in extreme heat areas, blocking air-flow over the cowl area would conceivably keep the interior cooler. Since there's plenty of heat-soak associated with the firewall and cowl area anyway, this is probably only a theoretical advantage.
As far as fumes, I'm sure they were thinking in the long-term from the factory. Brand new engines don't usually have oils or leaks that cause toxins to spew forth and escape through the gaps. But after just a few years, that might change.
Of course, the current crop of seals don't seem to outlast the clean engines!
But before we think it's just a Chinese aftermarket or vendor-sourced issue, my first replacement came straight from Ford in the last seventies and lasted less than a year before the pins pulled out of the rubber.
Guess it's back to the drawing board then, eh?
Paul
And in theory at least, in extreme heat areas, blocking air-flow over the cowl area would conceivably keep the interior cooler. Since there's plenty of heat-soak associated with the firewall and cowl area anyway, this is probably only a theoretical advantage.
As far as fumes, I'm sure they were thinking in the long-term from the factory. Brand new engines don't usually have oils or leaks that cause toxins to spew forth and escape through the gaps. But after just a few years, that might change.
Of course, the current crop of seals don't seem to outlast the clean engines!
But before we think it's just a Chinese aftermarket or vendor-sourced issue, my first replacement came straight from Ford in the last seventies and lasted less than a year before the pins pulled out of the rubber.
Guess it's back to the drawing board then, eh?
Paul
OP
OP
I guess that it was there for water (silly me) I never entertained fumes, and I have them. The 35 year old gently aged and rebuilt motor has its share of leaks, and I assume "fumes". Now, the question is, and may sound stupid, so don't laugh, but where does the seal go? I assume on the forward cowl edge that sticks up, and the arc of the seal arching forward? Any pics would be appreciated.
bronconut73
Bronco Guru
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I thought it attached to the hood and then laid against the cowl but what do I know....mine fell off 30 years ago haha.
It does seem to keep water from puddling up on the cowl.
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Correct. There is a lip closer to the hinge end of the hood where you will see a 1/4" hole every few inches. You might even still have some of the plastic pegs lodged in them. That makes it super easy to see where it goes. Otherwise, just look for all the holes.
So yes, the seal is along the back edge under the windshield frame.
I've been working on a seal for the front. Along that edge you were talking about bronco t. It just happens to (mostly) follow the hood brace, so a seal there would keep crap and excess heat out of the top of the cowl area.
Just an extra layer of protection.
Paul
So yes, the seal is along the back edge under the windshield frame.
I've been working on a seal for the front. Along that edge you were talking about bronco t. It just happens to (mostly) follow the hood brace, so a seal there would keep crap and excess heat out of the top of the cowl area.
Just an extra layer of protection.
Paul
OP
OP
My dad always told me to wear extra protection... so I guess more is better? LOL.
Found them. They are on the backside of the inside hood brace, and were well hidden. It is safe to say that the cowl seal is in and working.
Thanks for the input.
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jim3326
Bronco Guru
It must have been something they came up with later in '65 cause there are no holes to be found on my Aug'65 build. There are some on my Dec'65 build but I'm not certain it's an original hood judging by all the bent sheetmetal under the hood.
Jim W.
Jim W.
