Hey I have a 1973 olds cutlass s with 2 louvers in the hood. These louvers leak water when I wash it or when rain might catch me. What can I do to keep the water out. My air cleaner cover has rust on it from the water. Pics of the car hood are in the link below.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-s-cutlass.jpg

 

I've had a couple of these hoods, and there should be plastic plugs that fit in the holes. Do you have open holes that you can see light through? John

 

The previous owner put some caulk of some sort so I can't see through them but it still leaks.

 

Not sure where you'd find them, but here's a picture that shows some of the holes with plugs. I suspect that's what you'll need to do to stop the leaks.
John

P1010265.jpg

 

hmmm... my 72 has this same issue - need to look into this.

 

With your 72, there are only 6 small holes for them go through. You could always take off the nuts holding the louvers from below and put some seam rope caulk around the base of the stud before you button it back down. When your car was new, it wouldn't have come from the factory with that hood though. CS came with the flat hood, and no vents at the back if AC. My car doesn't leak that I know of, but it also has a hood blanket so I would never know. Heck ya I would. But my car hasn't been out in the rain in over 25 years.

 

That's a nice looking car Tyler.

 

I use the rope caulk on my 71 and it works great - no leaks at all.

 

Great looking car too! Neat the way you blacked out the grills. Breaks up the amount of silver there and mimics that unique look like the 72 Hurst Olds had.

 

I'm no expert on 73s, but those don't look factory at all. IIRC, the only hood louvers were on the 442/HO, which weren't chrome, they were integrated into the hood itself. The only chrome faux louvers, were spread out further across the hood. From the pic, it kind of looks like louvers from a 68/69 camaro ss. I'd like to see a more detailed pic to be sure though.

 

Sorry, you'd be wrong on this. The 73 Cutlass S does have twin chrome louvers just as stated. The 73 HO and 442's have the wide middle more 'functional hood louvers'

 

As I said Allen, I'm no expert. Guess the hood stripes deceived me.

 

No problem. I ran into the same problem a while back, that's how I know. I learned it just like you are now. Hardly worth worrying about though. I'm sure the rope caulking will do the trick to seal up those leaks.

 

Oops! I total glazed over the hood being the one with chrome trim like the 1972. I've only seen a couple of those, and more of the 442 type hood louvers. John