Cowl Vent Delete
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 441
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From: Vicksburg, MS
Cowl Vent Delete
I am getting ready to repaint my 78 F250 with factory AC, and painting down into the cowl vents are near impossible. So, I have to ask if they are really necessary? I'll like to remove them and weld in a solid, smooth surface. Has anyone ever done this? I did a search and only found one thread from 2012.
Is it even really needed?
Is it even really needed?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 322
From: Central Florida
This cowl vent feeds a fresh air plenum that drains water and fine particles through two openings on either side. Those openings often get clogged with larger debris. Just direct a stream of water from a hose to the cowl vent and you'll see them in operation if they are still functional.
The stock A/C system draws fresh air from an opening in the passenger side kick panel that is connected to the cabin air box. Were you to fill in the cowl vent, air would still be available to the system but it would be drawn through those drain holes – maybe no so fresh.
I've noticed that some aftermarket A/C systems have no fresh air options and actually block off this input. I'm not sure of the rationale for doing this. Perhaps it is to contain costs by eliminating a vacuum operated door that serves a little used function.
The debris issue must have been something that Ford was concerned with because later models such as my '90 F-350 replaced the slots that we have with a gaggle of little holes.
The stock A/C system draws fresh air from an opening in the passenger side kick panel that is connected to the cabin air box. Were you to fill in the cowl vent, air would still be available to the system but it would be drawn through those drain holes – maybe no so fresh.
I've noticed that some aftermarket A/C systems have no fresh air options and actually block off this input. I'm not sure of the rationale for doing this. Perhaps it is to contain costs by eliminating a vacuum operated door that serves a little used function.
The debris issue must have been something that Ford was concerned with because later models such as my '90 F-350 replaced the slots that we have with a gaggle of little holes.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 441
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From: Vicksburg, MS
What about deleting part of the vent and then covering the remaining with a removable, screened insert. That way you could at least get some kind of paint into the cavity.
Or what about deleting all of the venting and using a different location to supply fresh air?
Or what about deleting all of the venting and using a different location to supply fresh air?
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 308
Likes: 1
From: Lithia springs ga
that would work. you can also block all of the cowl and put vents in the side panels for the fresh air intake, instead of the fake ones people put on there cars you would make a real one.another opton ive seen is putting a vent in the fire wall (DOES INCREASE CAB NOISE AND FUME SMELL) but like pops always said "if you cant raise the bridge, lower the water!"
its all also dependent on how much reinventing you want to do
cause like flowney said you can block the whole cowl and you would still pull air from the drain holes
its all also dependent on how much reinventing you want to do
cause like flowney said you can block the whole cowl and you would still pull air from the drain holes
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