Sealing solid cowl cover what to use? (3 Viewers)

[RattleCan]

I am attempting to seal my Fj40 from rainwater this winter. Putting solid cowl cover on. Should I use just silicone under the cover to seal or should I cut some type of gasket material and sandwich with silicone for a waterproof seal? Any experience or advice is appreciated!

 

[charliemeyer007]

I did the seam below the windshield with GE 50 year 100% silicon back in the mid 80's. Its mostly still there.

 

[Bear]

Always wondered what happens with the silicone at year 51. Does the frog turn into a prince?

 

[tpscruisers]

Did you buy or make that cover?

 

[devo]

@RattleCan
Where did you get that cover?
I would use a sealer that wasn’t adhesive.

 

[Living in the Past]

I am attempting to seal my Fj40 from rainwater this winter. Putting solid cowl cover on. Should I use just silicone under the cover to seal or should I cut some type of gasket material and sandwich with silicone for a waterproof seal? Any experience or advice is appreciated!

View attachment 3722790

Are you planning on moving it in the spring and use the vent again? If just for the winter or permanently would use something different for each. Because you said for the rains this winter makes think you use it in fair weather.

 

[RattleCan]

I am planning on sealing it up permanently. The cover is from Spector off road. They sell cowl vent covers with louvers and solid this is obviously solid no louvers.

 

[devo]

@RattleCan

If you seal it up permanently are you concerned about trapping moisture in the cowl ?

 

[45Dougal]

I'd use seam sealer, but be careful that the threads can also leak into the cowl so preferably use a rubber washer under the screw head / sealant in the thread.

I guess you just remove the vent flap permanently to allow it to stay dry inside?

 

[hobbes]

I’ve got the same plate. I tried some gasket material from a big box store, but it leaks into the cab when it rains. I wish someone made a gasket for it. I didn’t want to go to seam sealer if I didn’t have to for disassembly ease.

 

[h82crash]

On my year, 74, it was non-functional from the factory, and just a water collector. My solution was to get rid of it. No more drips or $100 drain hoses.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I made my own drain hose out of Tygon - a little heat forming did the trick.

 

[RattleCan]

@RattleCan

If you seal it up permanently are you concerned about trapping moisture in the cowl ?

Not really concerned, the body of my 40 is in pretty rough shape. I’m trying to prevent water entering to mainly keep floor insulation and seats dry and mold free. Cowl won’t ever be permanently sealed as the hoses coming from the bottom are deteriorating and cracked.

 

[pb4ugo]

The seam where the cowl meets the windshield can leak too. Mine leaks into the pocket.

 

[hobbes]

I’ve already painted my tub (well, years ago). So welding is out. I’ve got a mix of a 76 firewall (no holes) and a 74 trans cover (no holes). I “could” drills holes and run the 74 drain tubes. But adding new holes is a mental block, even if just a trans cover….

 

[charliemeyer007]

Pull the cover. Apply a thin layer of calk. Place/stretch a section of 10 mil black plastic over the hole, put the cover on and screw it down with anti seize treated screws - trim the excess plastic carefully.

 

[45Dougal]

Not really concerned, the body of my 40 is in pretty rough shape. I’m trying to prevent water entering to mainly keep floor insulation and seats dry and mold free. Cowl won’t ever be permanently sealed as the hoses coming from the bottom are deteriorating and cracked.

I share your problems. Stood mine outside last winter. It's basically impossible to keep it dry inside without a cover, a garage, or relocating further south.
Mines going to be spending a lot more time in a nice dry container from next week.