Hood leaks onto motor - I have a 1940 buick and the hood hinged I center leaks.

[40buick90]

Hi.  New to this forum and am wondering if anyone has a good fix for a leaking hood.  I have a 1940 buick and the hood hinged I  center leaks.  Appreciate any insight that someone has.  Thanks.  Tony

[Mark Gregush]

Put a tarp over it or I have done many times, a garbage bag over the engine. Just don't put the garbage bag over the engine when it's hot.

[Guest]

Spray WD40 over the whole engine, inc. the wires, sparkplugs and distributor and don't worry about it.

 Every car that I own gets it's bath of WD40 and is washed with plain water and starts every time.

 

 

Ps, spray and wipe down the whole engine compartment for a nice pale luster.

👍

Edited September 14, 2022 by Roger Walling (see edit history)

[EmTee]

Is the hood lacing missing on the cowl?  Where exactly is it leaking?

[Mark Gregush]

22 hours ago, 40buick90 said:

1940 buick and the hood hinged I  center leaks

Center fold hood?

[40buick90]

Center fold hood.  Although the car is garaged, been caught in rain coming from shows.  Not sure if these pics will help...

[Akstraw]

I suppose that if it were a significant issue, one could fabricate and install some type of trough or gutter under the hinge with a drain tube at one end or the other.   

[Rusty_OToole]

So what? Cars get rained on all the time. If it doesn't cause the engine to stall or sputter don't worry about it. If it does you may need new ignition wires.

[Marty Roth]

There is a (silicone-based) product which is used to wrap the inner surface of a road wheel to seal spoke rims when using a tubeless tire - I forgot the name, but it is readily available in varied widths online. I believe it is flexible enough to stand up to your desired use, applying it to the inner center surface of the hood hinge.

 

Considering your already existing modification,

being entirely non-original (V-8 Engine, electric fan, 12-Volt, etc, etc, etc...)

I would imagine you could fabricate some kind of internal shield to duct away the leaks,

but it does not seem that serious a situation-

 

 

then again, you could modify the hood, welding it into a single piece, and hinging it either conventionally at the rear,

or hinging at the front as in a Jaguar XK-E ...

 

On the other hand, re-installing the Buick Straight Eight Fireball, you would have the Overhead Valve Cover straight down the center, and water intrusion woould be even less of a concern - just an opinion, and likely not what you want to hear.

Edited September 24, 2022 by Marty Roth
additional note (see edit history)

[60FlatTop]

I would form a sheet metal or plastic gutter and run a drain tube down the firewall.

[hook]

20 hours ago, Akstraw said:

I suppose that if it were a significant issue, one could fabricate and install some type of trough or gutter under the hinge with a drain tube at one end or the other.   

 

i have seen this on several cars. I don't know if it was ever a production or accessory item, but it works. You just have to make it look like it belongs there.

[60FlatTop]

42 minutes ago, hook said:

You just have to make it look like it belongs there.

Early Sunday morning an the Devil is coming out of me already. Would that company be called Minestrone Accessories? Look like it belongs there.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

On 9/24/2022 at 12:50 PM, Marty Roth said:

There is a (silicone-based) product which is used to wrap the inner surface of a road wheel to seal spoke rims when using a tubeless tire - I forgot the name, but it is readily available in varied widths online. I believe it is flexible enough to stand up to your desired use, applying it to the inner center surface of the hood hinge.

 

Considering your already existing modification,

being entirely non-original (V-8 Engine, electric fan, 12-Volt, etc, etc, etc...)

I would imagine you could fabricate some kind of internal shield to duct away the leaks,

but it does not seem that serious a situation-

 

 

then again, you could modify the hood, welding it into a single piece, and hinging it either conventionally at the rear,

or hinging at the front as in a Jaguar XK-E ...

 

On the other hand, re-installing the Buick Straight Eight Fireball, you would have the Overhead Valve Cover straight down the center, and water intrusion woould be even less of a concern - just an opinion, and likely not what you want to hear.

 

 At least a Buick engine was used.

 

  Ben

[60FlatTop]

17 hours ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said:

At least a Buick engine was used.

My comment wasn't nice but I have a '48 Chrysler in my garage with a 350 Chevy in it and a Camaro subframe. I am doing things to make it look like stuff belongs there.

My big concession will be using black tie wraps. Those are usually reserved for Rolls-Royce work.

 

The hard part for me will be designing the "Spitfire Bentate" valve cover logos.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

44 minutes ago, 60FlatTop said:

My comment wasn't nice but I have a '48 Chrysler in my garage with a 350 Chevy in it and a Camaro subframe. I am doing things to make it look like stuff belongs there.

My big concession will be using black tie wraps. Those are usually reserved for Rolls-Royce work.

 

The hard part for me will be designing the "Spitfire Bentate" valve cover logos.

Wouldn't have you any other way , Bernie.

 

  Ben