I have a '38 chev pu with a 235. My concern is that the valve cover has vents stamped into the top and with the center hinged hood water is leaking on the motor during heavy rains. The vents on the valve cover actually have valleys that FUNNEL water into the head! -I have been putting a plastic vapor barrier sheet over the motor but this is a pain and its only a matter of time before I forget its there and melt plastic all over the header. I realize the engine is not original but even the pics I have found of the 216 still use these vented valve covers. Does anyone have any idea how I should approach keeping water out of the motor? Note that I live in Oregon so "dont drive in the rain" isnt a helpful answer! LOL Tks. ~JH
I would be thinking about taking a strip of vinyl and gluing it to the inside of the hood. Do this with the hood open to be sure you can open it. Then when it is closed it will make an eavestrough that will run the water off at the front where it can drip to the ground in front of the motor. Or you could use a newer valve cover that does not have the vents. And arrange some other form of crankcase ventilation.
Hello, I have a 47 that was the same way. Easiest fix for me was to braze up the vents and replace the oil fill cap with a vented cap. Don't know if your 38 is the same but my 47 also has a short chunk of hose that drained the cowl vent right into the valve cover vent.... not good. Good Luck, Les
I have been trying to think of making some gutter system in my truck, Like rusty suggest. With the flathead 6 the water fills up around the spark plugs, is a mess.
Bend a piece of metal a little longer then the valve cover and 2" wide into a "V". Run 2 small screws through each end and the flange where the 2 hood haves come together. Making a drain trough for the hood center. Hope the explanation makes sense.
I've driven my '37 Chevy coupe in heavy rain, once for 4-hours straight in N. Dakota, and never had an issue with water in the engine. 235 with a 216 valve cover.
Common issue with both the trucks and cars of that vintage. My 51 Bus Coupe had a V-8 swap. It sat outside for the most part. Had an open element, 14 inch diameter air cleaner, and one day I went out to start it. Not even a full revolution, and it locked up! I knew immediately what it was, so I did't try to crank it further. Pulled all the plugs, and spun it over; water burped out from the right hand bank; ran it around a few times, waited, then spun it again. I reinstalled the plugs, and it fired right off; ran fine with no apparent damage or water in the oil. I took an old metal, galvanized, oil drain pan, and drilled a hole in the center, placed it over the air cleaner/stud, and left it to protect from the rain. Plus it would run with the pan in place. I'd make some kind of a diversion shield, and attach it to the valve cover, or possibly seal the gap in the hood. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Chrysler made an "Everdry " system to protect the plugs. Big rubber galoshes that snapped over a metal base that went under the plugs. They were standard on Chryslers for years. You can still buy them from Andy Bernbaum.
Hey Hotnuts (I cant believe I just typed that)... It only rains here 6 months out of the year so it isn't like this is a perpetual problem One piece hood top an option?
Thanks for the replies guys. I think this is what I am going to do. Trying to seal up the hood would be like trying to stop a leak in a boat made from pallets.
On my 37 I sealed the vents ( 3M Panel Bond) and then put a PCV system off of a big Chevy truck of that period onto the also incorrect 235 engine. Should have done so years ago since now there is absolutely no oil vapor smell and engine stays cleaner.
I've been thinking of fixing the same problem on my '42 Fargo. I intend to make a sheet metal shield and fix it to the rad support rods. I may "v" it slightly so it drains off fore or aft perhaps.
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