New cowl vent gasket.......

[BobT-47P15]

Last Fall at Hershey I bought a rubber cowl vent gasket direct from Steele Rubber Company

at their trailer/vendor booth.  Price was $43.  So, now, about a  year later I decided to install it.

So, I had to remove the vent itself which involves some ever popular standing on your head,

working under the dash.  To make it as easy as possible, I removed the bottom seat cushion.

 

You would think that for the price, that gasket would be a perfect fit.  But, not so.  At least not

this one.  I had to cut it and remove about 1/4 inch of rubber because it was too long.  Did that

on the back side.  Then used some 3M trim cement to hold that gasket in place.  

 

 

Edited September 7, 2015 by BobT-47P15

[BobT-47P15]

Now, my cowl vent is cooler than your cowl vent.........because I have pictures of two pin-up girls inside it.

 

When he was working on the car, my son in law thought it was really cute putting those photos in there.  

They are like WWII girls.  So I am leaving them to see if anyone notices......

 

 

 

[Andydodge]

Bob....you were lucky.........I ordered one from them a few yrs ago and got a cowl vent gasket that was too short and the completely wrong profile.....when I rang them from here in Oz they told me I had no idea what I was talking about, it came in the correctly numbered packet as per their catalog but was a completely incorrect item....no refund offered, nothing...........I ended up getting a correct one from Andy B or Roberts, can't remember which now but will NEVER buy or recommend Steele Rubber again.....Andy Douglas

[BobT-47P15]

Hi Andy.  Hope  you are doing well.   It's too bad that companies sometimes take the attitude you described.

I guess they don't care if they not only lose your future business, plus they will get some bad publicity when anyone

asks you about their type of product.   

[RobertKB]

Bob, I had the same problem with the cowl vent I ordered from Steele for my '48 Dodge D25. Same solution as you but no sexy pictures though. I have always had good luck with Steele and their products but their cowl vent gaskets seem to have issues.

[Andydodge]

Bob, yep still plodding along..........lol.............some days the cock of the hoop, others, just the feather duster........lol.......the Dodge has been playing games lately, some days its fine, others it won't start........new battery, ignition relay, starter overhaul and lastly cleaned up the points in the starter relay.........have a new one of these coming from the US as we speak, its from a 1968 Dodge, same as the 68 Fury........would have preferred a rod thru the block.....at least I could have been sure of the problem then.......lol.........I couldn't believe Steeles attitude, they wouldn't believe me, I even sent a pic of the thing they sent, just palmed me off........so I badmouth them as often as possible..............lol...............andyd  

[Plymouthy Adams]

Steele projects that attitude quite often..the traveling sales trailer for shows and events seems to even be more snotty and forthcoming with said remarks...they are now and forever will be my very last choice as a supplier...unfortunately until a few other companies get up to speed with more products...one may have to endure their attitude...I am but one person...I may not make a difference in their net profits..but for certain...I can get justification not spending my money with them...their products are not top line as they claim also...again...last stop shopping at best..

[jrhoads]

East Tim... you may get a spankin from the roadking...  ha ha  
 

[Plymouthy Adams]

man should never have trouble with the truth...tell me what reason I would have to tell a lie..

[jrhoads]

Exactly.

[deathbound]

Bob....you were lucky.........I ordered one from them a few yrs ago and got a cowl vent gasket that was too short and the completely wrong profile.....when I rang them from here in Oz they told me I had no idea what I was talking about, it came in the correctly numbered packet as per their catalog but was a completely incorrect item....no refund offered, nothing...........I ended up getting a correct one from Andy B or Roberts, can't remember which now but will NEVER buy or recommend Steele Rubber again.....Andy Douglas

 

I had a similar issue with Steele. Ordered 1 from their ebay store, came with the correct part# for my car on the bag (same as their on-line store for my specific year), completely wrong profile-more like the 1 Bob posted in the original post. I contacted them & they refunded the purchase price....maybe because I went through ebay??? Anyway, I explained the issue & they said they would have their research dept look into it. The part they continue to advertise (2-3 years later) for '36-'38 Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge /DeSoto is for the later years with a "V" profile along the windshield edge. For my '38 Plymouth, it has a straight profile along the windshield edge.

 

Here's a link to the part I purchased:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390487293339?item=390487293339&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123&vxp=mtr

[Andydodge]

The thing that got me apart from their crappy attitude was that what was sent was the correct overall shape, ie, it sat into the channel in the cowl but its profile was completely arse up, whereas the correct gasket has a curved shape underneath it to allow it to sit properly in the cowl, this crap thing was flat with a recess in it and there was no way it would have sat in the channel...........Steele Rubber....crap name and crap products...........lol.........don't get me started with these morons........will go sit in my corner now........lol..........andyd 

[Roadkingcoupe]

East Tim... you may get a spankin from the roadking...  ha ha  

 

 

Time to let it go Mr. JRHOADS

[BobT-47P15]

Well............this has been an interesting conversation.  I didn't realize the negative things about Steele.  Usually I see

good words about how their products are the best.......vs perhaps some item from A.B. that is too skimpy to fit.  

 

I did purchase Steele's windshield gasket, along with having new glass cut, which my son in law installed.  

He ultimately broke both halves of the windshield, which he had re-made.....and finally got someone to

assist him to get it in place.  Now it seems fine.  I purchased the non tinted glass as the original glass was

just plain.  You can get about whatever color tint you want from a glass shop.  I still have the original two

pieces ............ so if anyone needs a pattern for a convertible windshield, I can trace one off and send it to

you.  I also still have my old original rear wooden top bow, even though broken in one place.  If needed, I can

send pictures and measurements.

 

I haven't made very many posts over the last 3 or 4 years about the car since it was not here.  Now, finally, I'm

getting back into the mood of messing with it.    I call it "messing with" because most of what I do is not heavy duty

mechanical or body work......just dealing with small issues like replacing my siren; cleaning up and repainting in

the area between the grille and radiator.......and other assorted small matters.  Thanks for the input gentlemen.

[andrewj7]

I didn't even know there was supposed to be a gasket there. Explains why the rain is coming in! (Not a huge problem in California). Order a new gasket and will try fitting it.

[Andydodge]

Andrew.........you didn't know about the vent gasket?.......shame on you.......lol..........reminds me about the guy who had had his brown coloured 1940 Dodge since 1971 and had got used to the fact that the glove box door was a PITA to open as when you pressed the little button you had to hold it at the same time and pull on it to open the door...........lol..........wasn't till there was a post about a glove box door spring on here a few yrs ago that I...oops, he finally realised what his car was missing........lol..........made up a little spring from a piece of spring steel and works like a charm........he even went & got his wife to come and try the improved glove box door as she'd only been complaining about it since they 1st met in the late 70's.........he was the new poster boy.........lol.............anyway welcome from downunder to the best mopar forum around, these guys know their stuff.........regards, Andy Douglas(btw, like that name of yours....lol.) 

[Don Coatney]

The vent gasket does absolutely no good at all if the vent is open while driving in the rain  No need to ask how I know this.

 

[Tom Skinner]

Good one Don!

All of Steele's Rubber has fit my 1948 Chrysler very well. That being said when I bought my Front Windshield and Rear Window Rubber at their Steele Car shows for 10% off the Sales Person (It was a She) never told me I needed the 3M Cleaner the 3M Black Sealer, or the 3M Clear Sealer to do the Install. So I had to order another $70 worth of stuff and pay another $15 S&H. OK you might say I should have known, but I say if you are buying a new leather belt, and go to pay with a worn out leather wallet, a smart salesperson would also show you some new leather wallets. In other words Steele's Sales People are on Auto-Pilot - they don't ask questions, they just fill orders, and seem to stare out into space. If I had someone working for me like that, I would find new help.

Service in general sucks nowadays, but even more so when stupid is - as stupid does - doesn't really serve a customer anymore.

L.O.L. Other than that No Runs No Leaks No Errors.

Tom

Edited November 10, 2015 by Tom Skinner

[deathbound]

I finally found a cowl vent gasket for my 1938 Plymouth with the correct shape. All the gaskets I've seen available (even advertised for '38 & earlier) are for '39 and later with 2 piece windshields that form a "V" at the cowl & along the windshield. For the 1 piece windshield ('38 & earlier), it is straight along this side and a "V' shape along the cowl. I found it on ebay & unfortunately, the seller does not recall where he got it or who made it. The only marking on it is RP 100-L.  Others may be different?

[Branded]

I finally found a cowl vent gasket for my 1938 Plymouth with the correct shape. All the gaskets I've seen available (even advertised for '38 & earlier) are for '39 and later with 2 piece windshields that form a "V" at the cowl & along the windshield. For the 1 piece windshield ('38 & earlier), it is straight along this side and a "V' shape along the cowl. I found it on ebay & unfortunately, the seller does not recall where he got it or who made it. The only marking on it is RP 100-L.  Others may be different?

A quik Google search of RP 100 L come up as a Metro Weatherstrip part

[deathbound]

A quik Google search of RP 100 L come up as a Metro Weatherstrip part

 

Thanks, I knew someone would find it...believe me, I entered that number in Google search and went through at least 10 pages without seeing Metro Weatherstrip. Now here comes the "did you try 'this or that' search engine" comments.

 

**EDIT** Looked up the part# on their website, says it's 3/8" thick molded sponge. Mine has that part#, but is about 3/16" thick rubber. The picture shows a rectangle shape, but I realize some depictions are just generic. Here is their website: http://metrommp.com/

Edited December 7, 2015 by deathbound

[bobostski]

I bought 4  cowl vent from this vender and they fit great.I bought them for my 38 Dodge,48 Plymouth, 49 Chrysler and my 50 Dodge.  Only $20 each. He did combined shipping also.I'm not sure but if the link will work but the dealers name is  fmmpar.

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/140072874611?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[dpollo]

I have been very pleased with products, delivery and price of rubber products

for both cars and trucks from  Dodge City Truck Parts in Ontario.  Not sure where his

parts are made.  Cowl vent for 51 Plymouth was a very good fit , same with headlight bucket gaskets

and all the rubber for my 52 Fargo including the gas pedal is good especially windshield and rear glass seals.

On line catalogue.