The Ford Barn

john in illinois · 09-30-2018, 01:48 PM

I have not got the top hood on my roadster yet. The crab distributor has a gasket under the cap. Would the ignition drown out in a light rain? Any other problems.

Thanks,John

flatjack9 · 09-30-2018, 02:11 PM

I wouldn't worry about it.

51 MERC-CT · 09-30-2018, 02:12 PM

About the only way to find out is to try it.
I know that I can't say yes or no, maybe someone who is Clairvoyant can tell you.

J Franklin · 09-30-2018, 02:27 PM

Doesn't rain get through the radiator even if you had a hood?

john in illinois · 09-30-2018, 03:29 PM

Yes,my Model A,which I have driven many times in pouring rain,has never missed a beat and water does come through radiator and Probably all around the engine. I have a trip planned next weekend with a slight rain forcast,so Inthink I won!t worry about it.

Thanks,John

drolston · 09-30-2018, 03:48 PM

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No worries. Driving at road speed in a downpour will put more water through the radiator and onto the front of the engine than standing still with no hood in the same downpour.

That said, my '41 would not start on a damp morning. I changed the ignition wires to solve that.

J Franklin · 09-30-2018, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drolston

No worries.
my '41 would not start on a damp morning. I changed the ignition wires to solve that.

Here is where WD-40 comes in handy. Can is how it was packaged in the '50s.

38bill · 10-02-2018, 10:09 AM

I don't even run my crab with a gasket and I have never had a problem.

revkev6 · 10-02-2018, 10:17 AM

ignition should be ok, the big open filters on the carbs might be more of an issue though. had a friend in highschool who had a 70's camaro... though he was gonna be cool and put a high rise manifold on it with a 6" tall air cleaner out the hood. he got a "tardy" mark on his report card the second day driving it because it was raining.

john in illinois · 10-02-2018, 02:46 PM

I thought about that. I may put on a couple of covered short filters temporarily.
I like the breathing of larger filters. This winter I may build a covered oval filter.
Thanks all for the advice.

John

09-30-2018, 02:11 PM	#2
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: Driving in the rain I wouldn't worry about it.

09-30-2018, 02:12 PM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Driving in the rain About the only way to find out is to try it. I know that I can't say yes or no, maybe someone who is Clairvoyant can tell you. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

09-30-2018, 02:27 PM	#4
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Driving in the rain Doesn't rain get through the radiator even if you had a hood?

09-30-2018, 03:29 PM	#5
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: Driving in the rain Yes,my Model A,which I have driven many times in pouring rain,has never missed a beat and water does come through radiator and Probably all around the engine. I have a trip planned next weekend with a slight rain forcast,so Inthink I won!t worry about it. Thanks,John

09-30-2018, 03:48 PM	#6
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Driving in the rain Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) No worries. Driving at road speed in a downpour will put more water through the radiator and onto the front of the engine than standing still with no hood in the same downpour. That said, my '41 would not start on a damp morning. I changed the ignition wires to solve that.

10-02-2018, 10:09 AM	#8
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,166	Re: Driving in the rain I don't even run my crab with a gasket and I have never had a problem.

10-02-2018, 10:17 AM	#9
revkev6 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: western Mass Posts: 365	Re: Driving in the rain ignition should be ok, the big open filters on the carbs might be more of an issue though. had a friend in highschool who had a 70's camaro... though he was gonna be cool and put a high rise manifold on it with a 6" tall air cleaner out the hood. he got a "tardy" mark on his report card the second day driving it because it was raining.

10-02-2018, 02:46 PM	#10
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: Driving in the rain I thought about that. I may put on a couple of covered short filters temporarily. I like the breathing of larger filters. This winter I may build a covered oval filter. Thanks all for the advice. John