Rains on my engine

[Wheelmang]

I have temporarily had to park my 26 DB outside while completing work on another vehicle. Every time it rains the area around the spark plug bases fill up with water. I presume this is coming in from the hood hinge. Was there any kind of sealing that was original that prevented this or is it just something I need to live with whenever it is forced to have the hardship of the real outdoor life?

Thank

Paul

[keiser31]

There are some rubber cups made that fit around the plugs. These may fit.... https://www.ebay.com/i/182902980153?chn=ps&dispItem=1

Edited March 25, 2018 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[Wheelmang]

Thanks keiser31:

Those do not look like they are tall enough or big enough around to stop the problem though. It did however give me idea that involves some heater hose. Would look a little ugly but not as bad as the streaks going down the side of my freshly painted engine. 

[keiser31]

There are other various types of plug covers/boots.

[Spinneyhill]

Wide PVC? tape on the hinge? Low adhesion would be best.

[27dodger0]

Maybe do the easy thing, throw a tarp over the hood???

[Wheelmang]

All good solutions and I guess there was nothing to prevent this that was original to the car. Thanks for all valued input.

Paul

[keiser31]

No....there was nothing originally to keep this from happening. ALL of those L head engines suffer from the rain water malady.

Edited March 27, 2018 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[Machinist_Bill]

Maybe a small "C" channel (1" wide x 1/4" tall) spot welded to one side of the hood underneath down the whole length to act like a rain gutter. Food for thought......

[R.White]

This is a problem that has been with us for as long as cars have been around and it still persists with the Toyota Prius to this day!

 

If you grease the hood hinge it will greatly reduce the ingress of rainwater... and not do the hinge any harm either.

 

Ray.

[Guest]

If you opened one side of the hood fully, you could glue the edges of a piece of 3" wide thin rubber along each side of the hinge.  When the hood is closed the rubber makes a channel that will run the water back and down the firewall.

[2251DB]

I HAVE SEEN A LIGHT TAPERED CHANNEL ATTACHED TO THE RADIATOR STAY RODS OR AS WITH A DODGE 4 ATTACHED TO TH E

FIREWALL TAPERING TOWARDS THE RADIATOR ,IT WORKS  2251DB 

[Mpgp1999]

Personally, I think a little water never hurt anyone. The engine is designed to get a little wet. After all many people did not have a garage to store them in and drove in all weather to get to work. In fact there are many advertisements about the “dependabilty” of Dodge Brothers.  The spark plug wells often get filled with water.  As long as the hood is closed the engine will be fine in a hurricane/ automated car wash. Especially since the engine is freshly painted. 

 

 

Good luck

 

Matthew 

Edited March 29, 2018 by Mpgp1999 (see edit history)