Screening cowl louvers
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
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From: Near Jonesbourogh, TN
Screening cowl louvers
I'm cleaning up and painting the cowl on my 83 F-150. I read a couple of threads that mentioned putting screen under the cowl louvers. What type of screen do folks use? Window screen? Hardware cloth?
I have galvanized hardware cloth with 1/4" squares. I just cut pieces to fit, and I thought I'd better check and see what others have used.I'm going to spray it flat black before installing.
What did you use to adhere the screen? I have fiberglass, and JB Weld on hand. I need to vacuum out the trench, I'll do that while I wait for responses.
I have galvanized hardware cloth with 1/4" squares. I just cut pieces to fit, and I thought I'd better check and see what others have used.I'm going to spray it flat black before installing.
What did you use to adhere the screen? I have fiberglass, and JB Weld on hand. I need to vacuum out the trench, I'll do that while I wait for responses.
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From: Angier, NC
When you say "I need to vacuum out the trench," are you also talking of removing the kick panels and the 4 screws holding the plate if you have AC and cleaning in there also?
I think the screen you have has to big an opening I would use window screen as it has smaller openings and not let junk by.
As for what to use to hold it I cant say as I have not done this and dont plan to.
Truck is kept in a garage and if at shows not near trees.
Only place is if I take it to work if I park in 1 spot in the lot.
Dave ----
I think the screen you have has to big an opening I would use window screen as it has smaller openings and not let junk by.
As for what to use to hold it I cant say as I have not done this and dont plan to.
Truck is kept in a garage and if at shows not near trees.
Only place is if I take it to work if I park in 1 spot in the lot.
Dave ----
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Skip the screen...
But do:
1. Don't park under trees.
2. Regularly blow out the corners with compressed air.
3. Fabricate a skinny vacuum attachment and clean out the trench regularly. I made one out of cardboard before.
4. Alternatively set up the shop vac on one end of the cowl, turn on the vacuum and sweep towards it with compressed air.
5. Every year or 5 remove the cowl and clean out.
Once it's screened you can't do much to clean out any stuff bypassing the screen except cowl removal, and as many know cowl removal is a pain. Yeah sure a finer screen means a finer buildup. But it's the fines that hold moisture and cause corrosion.
But do:
1. Don't park under trees.
2. Regularly blow out the corners with compressed air.
3. Fabricate a skinny vacuum attachment and clean out the trench regularly. I made one out of cardboard before.
4. Alternatively set up the shop vac on one end of the cowl, turn on the vacuum and sweep towards it with compressed air.
5. Every year or 5 remove the cowl and clean out.
Once it's screened you can't do much to clean out any stuff bypassing the screen except cowl removal, and as many know cowl removal is a pain. Yeah sure a finer screen means a finer buildup. But it's the fines that hold moisture and cause corrosion.
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Cross-Country
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From: Near Jonesbourogh, TN
Chuck
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From: Virginia
Yes 87-up has round holes I can see debris piling up in the louvers if you put a fine screen underneath. Not sure what the best solution would be. Your hardware cloth might be the same as the 87-up hole diameter? A little more open but not as open as the 86-dwn louvers. You will get some dirt and debris in the plenum and down in the kickpanel drains. No way to avoid it really.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
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From: Near Jonesbourogh, TN
I have decided to go with the hardware cloth I have. Most of the debris under the cowl is leaves from sitting outside with the cowl off. I will remove the kick panels and check for debris.
I need to re-seal areas of the cowl like where the radio antenna goes through the firewall into the cab. I find reference to a gasket in Grahams shop manual, but don't find it on any car parts web pages. What would be a good substitute for it? The original has deteriorated.
Chuck
I need to re-seal areas of the cowl like where the radio antenna goes through the firewall into the cab. I find reference to a gasket in Grahams shop manual, but don't find it on any car parts web pages. What would be a good substitute for it? The original has deteriorated.
Chuck
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For the antenna cable seal you might find a substitute on the coaxial cable accessories rack at home depot. Or maybe someone can help you with that part number.
I've thought before that an easy open cowl would be nice. Next time I have mine out I plan on spending some thought on how to modify it so it's as easily accessed as the main hood. Maybe not quite that easy but a 2 minute job. Maybe someone has done it?
I've thought before that an easy open cowl would be nice. Next time I have mine out I plan on spending some thought on how to modify it so it's as easily accessed as the main hood. Maybe not quite that easy but a 2 minute job. Maybe someone has done it?
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