This is the cowl vent from my 49, any adjustment guide lines on the handle mechanism (bolt/nut w/spring)...... a little hard to open and close but does work.

 

If it's too hard to open and close, you might try adjusting the tightness on the tension bolt with the spring. It just needs to be tight enough to hold it in place, hard to see how compressed your spring is. Make sure the mating surfaces where the parts slide are clean and smooth with some light lube.

 

makes sense Wayne, not easy to get at but will lube & adjust the tension bolt.