1940 Ford Deluxe Fordor Newbie

[mnzink]

Greetings,


I recently took possession of my uncle's 1940 Ford Deluxe Fordor. He passed away about five years ago and my aunt has been struggling about what to do with his car. She felt that by selling it, she would be losing her husband's legacy. She has been legally blind my entire life and has had her own health issues this past year. To put her mind at ease, I took the car to help maintain my uncle's legacy in that car and put her mind at ease.


In preparation to tow it to my home, I found that there was water leaking into the front of the car under the dash. I think it is coming from the cowl vent. I have ordered a new cowl vent screen, gasket, and cowl vent hardware pack. However, looking at some of the other parts, I am nervous that if I start to replace the screen and gasket, I may be looking at a bigger project.


My background is computers and I am new to the automotive restoration world. Are there other parts I should have on hand before replacing the screen and gasket?


If you are curious, I was able to get the car running. It sounds and runs great.



Thanks in advance.


Michael

[19Fordy]

Michael, CONGRATS on getting such a nice car. Close the cowl vent and hose it down with a stream of water to see if it leaks. If the screen is in good condition you won't need to replace it. Same with the cowl vent itself. Just install the new gasket using a light coat of silicone seal or 3M gasket/rubber adhesive. Just use a light coat. Don't flood the zone.
Be sure to install the new gasket with the correct side facing down. You can adjust the tightness of the seal by adjusting the screws on the cowl vent handle mechanism. You might want to try that first with the old cowl vent seal in place.

Look thru the links here before you start.
https://www.google.com/search?q=inst...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[mnzink]

19Fordy,


Thanks for the tips/advice. I am still amazed it is here. It is a beautiful car and I hope I can make my uncle proud.



Michael

[alanwoodieman]

post your general location, I am sure there are some barners close by that can help you. Post some pictures--We love pictures!!

[1931 flamingo]

Are not the new gaskets too thick??
Paul in CT

[19Fordy]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I bought mine from DRAKE many years ago and they fit fine. Just adjust the clamping mechanism pressure.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Welcome to the Barn Michael, from New Zealand at the "ass end of the world". We love Fordors down here as that is mostly what we got (and a few coupes and trucks thrown in).

GB

[mnzink]

Ok, I updated my profile. I am in North Carolina if there are any locals out there.


Thanks,


Michael

[TJ]

Michael, look into joining the Early Ford V-8 Club of America. You will get a roster of members in your area and get a bi monthly magazine called the V-8 Times. The cost to join is $35/year. they have also just put out a great book strictly on the 1940 Ford. check out their website; www.earlyfordv8.org.

[flatford8]

Welcome Michael….. this may seem like a dumb question but here goes….. was the car outside in the rain? Is that why you suspect the cowl vent? Or did it leak after it was run. Is the car equipped with a heater……..Mark

[corvette8n]

Welcome:
Do what 19fordy says and check with a hose my was leaking thru the bottom edge of windshield and vent.
Post some pictures of your car when you get a chance.

[JayChicago]

I will second what has been said about spraying the area before you go to unnecessary work. I replaced the cowl vent gasket with no change to the leak problem. Then did what I should have done first: watered the car and got my head and hands under the dash. There are several places water can be coming in. Use your hands to trace the wetness to it's highest point, the source.

[deuce_roadster]

Welcome, I have 2 40s and have experience working on them. I restored one to be judged and one to just drive. You are doing the right thing for your aunt and the car.

[Bored&Stroked]

Welcome to the barn Michael - glad that the 40 is in your hands and that you really want to keep it, maintain it and keep your Uncle's legacy alive . . . way to go. This is a great place to join - lots of fine people who know just about everything there is to know about our old Fords.

Ask for help, post pictures and don't ever worry about what questions you should ask . . . ask them all. We all learned the same way you are - through the work we've done and the help that our various friends, family, mentors, etc - gave us.

[mfirth]

Welcome Michael ! GR8 guys & info here, they sure helped me a lot! We love pictures .

[RKS.PA]

Originally Posted by TJ

Michael, look into joining the Early Ford V-8 Club of America. You will get a roster of members in your area and get a bi monthly magazine called the V-8 Times. The cost to join is $35/year. they have also just put out a great book strictly on the 1940 Ford. check out their website; www.earlyfordv8.org.

Agree with Tom above. Join the Early Ford V-8 Club and get the roster of members in your area, plus the V-8 Times. It will be one of the best $35 you can spend on your new Ford!! Also, you may have a Regional V-8 Club in your area which will supercharge your resources and experience!!


Welcome to the Ford Barn!

[19Fordy]

Michael,

Another place to check for your leak is under the outside lip of your windshield rubber gasket. Gently lift it with a popsicle stick or a Bondo spreader a little at a time and check. Also check under dash below the windshield divider.
Also check the lip of the rubber gasket along the inner bottom edge and at the lower inner corners where water can collect. Lift rubber and apply light coating of this sealer. Excess wipes of clean with gasolene.

[chap52]

Send me the car, I live in Arizona and don't get much of a chance to deal with rain... I'll even park it in my wife's garage parking space when it does rain. (If she isn't home of course)...lol Welcome and "Enjoy the adventure"... Chap

[mnzink]

Thanks for all the replies. The car was garage kept. I had to tow it from MD to NC. Of course the day I had to pick it up from my Aunt it was pouring down rain. I will look at joining the Early Ford V8 Club.

[mnzink]

Also I uploaded some photos to some albums that are public. I have to figure out how to post the images into the forum. Trying to do this from my phone is a pain.