Kick Panel Vent Rebuild

[lakeroadster]

I pulled my kick panel vents and need to rebuild them. The gaskets look to be sandwiched between (2) riveted panels.

Anybody rebuilt these before? Do the replacement gaskets require that the rivets be drilled out?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[cb1965]

this is how i did it .

took old one out and clean the inside groove so that the new one would sit

properly. it has glue or some kind of sealer. Then i just stretch the new one

carefully around it. no dissasembly required

[ChevySixty6]

I've done it on two '66 trucks now. Just pull out the old gasket. Then take a 4" wide or so putty knife and go along the seam where the old gasket/seal was and sort of pry the opening a little wider all the way around. Then put the new seal in and go around with a mallet and close the metal down onto the seal. Just don't go overboard on the closing of the metal, cause there is a lip that will push into the seal and try to cut it off, if you get to aggresive. It just needs to hold it in place tightly.

[lakeroadster]

Thanks for your input guys, your help is sincerely appreciated! I didn't realize that the vent flapper is spring loaded and removable, that makes the replacement of the rubber seal much easier.

One more question: Were these vents painted black from the factory?

From various photos that have been posted of interiors by some of the members here it appears that the kick panels were painted "fawn" and the vents were painted black? Is your truck like that?

[jonzcustomshop]

on all my trucks that are unmolested they are black, the panel itself is fawn, or silver on the earlier ones.

[Woogeroo]

Cowl Vent Outlet Seal Replacement

-W

[jbgroby]

While on this subject I have several sets of the vents. One is the cable operated system that was in my GMC and of course going back in. But in a moment of weakness I bought a set off ebay that have a handle with a round hole that you operate manually by reaching down to move it (non-cable). Anybody know what year they changed that or was it for a bigger bolt?

[k1rodeoboater]

IDK my 66 has manual ones and are painted fawn

[jonzcustomshop]

cable operated were 60-61 chev&gmc, 62& up was the kick style.

[jbgroby]

Ok I forgot I had the gaskets in my "To Do Pile" And since I'm off for the next several days I figured I'd do a complete breakdown for everyone.First Chevt Truck Parts (I think it was called Chevy Duty?) Part number 34-304 both pieces cmoe as a set.

First the replacement gaskets are just enough to fit arounds the outter edges, See Pic one.

In trying to use the method mentioned above (panel seperation and removal) I notice no matter how I seperated the panels the the gasket did not want to come out without breaking apart. I decided to grind off the rivits, pop them out and see what the hold up was. I discovered that the OEM gasket is a one piece unit. AND that moisture had gotten down inside the two plate causing medum to heavy rust. IF any of you know me, you know this would not do. To the Baster, BATMAN!

Part 1

[jbgroby]

Ok Could not fit all the pics. You can remove the panels by gripping and pull down of the spring loaded pin. I blasted and primed the parts.

[jbgroby]

Once these parts dry I'll do the other side. They'll be painted Semi-gloss rustoleum (better rust protection, I'd use Por-15 but hate to open a fresh 1/2 pint just for this) Also I want to use small nuts and bolts (plenty of room and they will not interfere with anything or movement.) I'm going to use 3-M gasket adheavsive to hold the gaskets in place when I sandwich them in. I'll post more pics when done.

Hope this helps members in the restoration of these parts.

Jake Groby

[lakeroadster]

Thanks for the photos and documented break down.

My old gaskets came right out, in dry broken pieces, and the new ones slipped right in. I am betting the humidity there (Louisiana) vs. here (high plains of Colorado), is what made the difference.

Just reinstalled mine yesterday.

[jbgroby]

Did a webshots link too.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/579362144OfUoeB

I wonder if they changed the design of the rubber parts and stopped making them one piece?

[Woogeroo]

jbgroby,

good stuff!

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

-W

[jbgroby]

OK The paint is dry and I wanted to post the rest of the pics.
I used a light duty adheavsive to give a bit of tack to the new foam so she would not move around, this is the ype that will not attack the foam.

[Heater63]

John,

My '63 vents look like they've never been touched-up and they are black.

[lakeroadster]

[sodly]

I have a question related to this. My operator/handle is broken where it is riveted to the flapper/door (does this make sense)? Can this be repaired or is it best to source a replacement flapper/door with the handle still riveted in place?

[Trap62]

I don't think that this part is available as a re-pop though you should be able to score one easily in the WTB section. Another option is to drill out the two rivets, weld the two pieces together, clean up the weld and then rivet the arm back onto the plate.

[grs]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Thanks for the photos and documented break down.

My old gaskets came right out, in dry broken pieces, and the new ones slipped right in. I am betting the humidity there (Louisiana) vs. here (high plains of Colorado), is what made the difference.

Just reinstalled mine yesterday.

Does the handle and the center piece come out? My vents won't stay shut.

[blackbart63mule]

Does anybody know where to get full piece kick panel air vent door gaskets, or compatible bulk material for refurbishing these parts? Why not use the cutout repops?- #1- it wasn't original, #2- a lot easier to keep the seal sandwiched between metal pieces, and it will not move
around or fall out, #3- rubber or neoprene or whatever will insulate a bit.
All of the trucks I've met the air vent doors were black, as was the frames they were mounted in, I'm talkin' a '62' burb, 2-'63' panels, a '69' and '70' panels. I'll start to source the material and post here if I find anything.

[blackbart63mule]

Did not care for aftermarket air vent seals, because they are not full pieces, as original I sourced GM approved gasket material, and will make a set up and see how they work, hopefully whithin a couple weeks.

[carwasher]

blackbart , where do you find GM approved gasket?

[blackbart63mule]

Originally Posted by carwasher

blackbart , where do you find GM approved gasket?

I did not find GM approved gaskets, I sourced the material made to GM and many other auto makers standards, and am going to MAKE them from that material.