Cowl ventilator

[Redleg130]

The ventilator is a pretty nifty feature on the M37 and I use it often. The weather seal on mine is deteriorated, as rubber items do.

I got a replacement from Vintage Power Wagons and spent last night figuring out how to disassemble cowl ventilator so I can install the new weather seal. It is semi straightforward, after removing the instrument panel, you can get access to the 5 bolts that hold the cowl on. Even with the instrument panel off, its not convenient to get to anything. I needed 7/16ths and 1/2 wrenches and sockets with various extensions to reach things. 4 bolts, 2 on each side hold the body level and have some play to adjust level if needed. The 5th bolt holds the assembly to the opening lever. This 5th bolt had very little room and I couldn't get a socket in there, so I had to use a normal wrench which was a tedious pain.

TM 9-8031-2, Power Train, Body, Frame has a short blurb on this item on page 314, but does not give much detail really.

Ill need some adhesive (like black RTV) to attach the replacement weather seal, and while I have this thing out ill clean it up and paint it.

Anyone that has done this job, or something similar, have recommendations for install to make it look nice and seal well? I was thinking adhere the seal, use some seran wrap to prevent sticking where it shouldn't, and using a weight of some kind to press the replacement in the groove maybe while it cures so its where it should be when I bolt it in when its ready?

 

[Roller]

The ventilator is a pretty nifty feature on the M37 and I use it often. The weather seal on mine is deteriorated, as rubber items do.

I got a replacement from Vintage Power Wagons and spent last night figuring out how to disassemble cowl ventilator so I can install the new weather seal. It is semi straightforward, after removing the instrument panel, you can get access to the 5 bolts that hold the cowl on. Even with the instrument panel off, its not convenient to get to anything. I needed 7/16ths and 1/2 wrenches and sockets with various extensions to reach things. 4 bolts, 2 on each side hold the body level and have some play to adjust level if needed. The 5th bolt holds the assembly to the opening lever. This 5th bolt had very little room and I couldn't get a socket in there, so I had to use a normal wrench which was a tedious pain.

TM 9-8031-2, Power Train, Body, Frame has a short blurb on this item on page 314, but does not give much detail really.

Ill need some adhesive (like black RTV) to attach the replacement weather seal, and while I have this thing out ill clean it up and paint it.

Anyone that has done this job, or something similar, have recommendations for install to make it look nice and seal well? I was thinking adhere the seal, use some seran wrap to prevent sticking where it shouldn't, and using a weight of some kind to press the replacement in the groove maybe while it cures so its where it should be when I bolt it in when its ready?

View attachment 955499

I use 3M weatherstrip adhesive to hold the seal in place.

Frank

 

[Redleg130]

The 3M weatherstrip is very well reviewed, but tough to find. Amazon had some and I tried it. Directions state to put layers on each side, let it get tacky, then place it on.

One problem ended up being it melted the paint I used, which was drying for a week. If you use this stuff, do metal to rubber.

Another problem was the rubber definitely did not want to conform to the curves, at all. It lifted and twisted all over. I tried using carpentry hold downs, but they squeeze too much. Potato chip bag clips seem to have the right amount of squeeze, but you will need many of them to keep everything even.

In any case, even if this adheres correctly, I don't think it will fit in the groove when assembled. When doing some rehearsal fits, I found no matter how I oriented the seal material, it would not fit into the groove in the hood - assuming I glued the material to the moving cowl part.

Using the description in TM9-2320-212-20, paragraph 2-178, putting the material in the groove/trough and adhering it in place like this would end up with things all misaligned and probably be a mess. I am thinking of perhaps adhering the material in the groove/trough and putting a thin spongy strip on the cowl maybe?

 

[Soupermike]

I had the same issue with the rubber not wanting to stay flat in the groove. I ended up removing the rubber and just using silicone. It is not water/air tight when closed but I usually leave it open 99% of the time.