This is really a newb question, but I need to ask it.
Old leaves are accumulated in the cowl of my 63'. How do you get in there to clean them out?

 

I opened access holes at the fire wall and door jam and used air hose and shop vac with a bottle brush with a long handle you can also get access through the air vent and heater vent

 

I didn't even see these access holes. I shall look.
Thanks!

 

I'm pretty certain the '63 cowl area is similar to my '65 cowl area. I once owned a '63, but that was many moons ago.........

The '65 cowl area provides air to the kinda-triangular-shaped vent doors, inside below the dash, in the sides of the cab wall, forward of the doors. If you open those vents all the way, you can reach in and pick out most anything that has made it's way through the cowl vent slots and settled in the cavity below the vent doors. It helps if you have a small-ish shop vac hose to get it in there too.

I usually use my hand to pick out the majority of the debris, then a small vac hose to get the small stuff out. Then I dump about a 1/2 gallon of water into the cowl at each end. The water will flush out any remaining dirt through the drain holes at the bottom of the cab walls. If the drain holes are plugged, you may need to poke a piece of wire up through them from under the cab. I check my drain holes frequently to ensure they don't get plugged up. If they do get plugged off, any rain water/wash water will not drain out and rust will develop inside.

BarnieTrk

 

The first time we opened those vents at speed we got most of the leaves from down low blown at us. LOL. But if you look from outside, there are some in that area behind the hood.

 

this is the upper to the rt of hing two screws hold it on the vent access is a good size opening when take the door off
there is another on the other side and in the middle of fire wall usually two screws hole each on

 

rubber plug at bellow the hing use a wire to work dirt/vac

there are other openings but some are behind the fenders

 

this one is behind the fender

 

Take the screws out around the lip of the vent and pull the complete assembly out and you have alot more room to vac and wash out.Make sure the drain holes are clear.

 

Good info....thanks to all!

 

Thanks a ton everyone!

 

If the truck sits too long, bees will also find it a nice place to build a nest....be careful! Don't ask me how I know........

BarnieTrk

 

Dont clean them out and this is what happens:








And fixing requires this:





In short, if yours are in good shape, take care of them.

Mine were effed, and I had to rebuild from scratch for the bottom drain area, and a piece from another truck BillW sent me.

 

Found an article on ddavidv's website helpful on how to clean the numerous water drain cavities thru out the cab and fenders. The leaves and dirt that accumulates in the cowl eventually make it down to the fender and cab drain cavities; found the relief holes on the 65 so impacted with dirt and debris; especially the fender, it could take days for the water to eventually drain from the air vent pockets, creating an ideal habitat for rust. Perhaps ddavidv will chime in and provide the link; at least I found the article helpful!!

 

Fellas,

Here is another suggestion; I would drill two drain holes in the crossmember/brace that crosses the width of the cab, behind the foot area & just ahead of where the seats bolt down. I'd suggest a 1/2" hole about 4-5" from each end. This crossmember/brace collects mud/dirt/water and does not drain; so it rusts out! I drilled the two holes in each of my '65s. I then used a water hose to flush out all the crud that had collected / built up inside the brace and then I used an air hose to blow out the excess water (Yep, a messy job, but worth it). Lastly, about twice a year I poke a piece of wire up and around inside each hole - just to ensure it isn't plugged off and is draining adequately. An air hose blasted in there is also a good idea.

Now, with the new drain holes installed, the crossmember/brace does not collect mud/crud, it stays dry and should not rust out nearly as fast as if I hadn't added the drain holes. It works for me!

BarnieTrk