'65 Valiant/Barracuda Hood to Cowl Seal Correct Placement?

[dibbons]

I hate to ask trivial questions, but I notice the seal can be placed two different ways because its round and smooth on one edge and kind of open on the other side. Which side faces front, which side faces rearward (and why?). Thank you.

Photo is of '65 convertible which has had a repaint, so we are not sure if placed correctly or not.

 

[dibbons]

According to this video, the seal is used to prevent engine heat/fumes from entering the passenger compartment via the air intake in the cowl vents (My idea [wrong] was maybe it was to prevent water drainage into the engine compartment).

 

[65dartcharger]

I hate to ask trivial questions, but I notice the seal can be placed two different ways because its round and smooth on one edge and kind of open on the other side. Which side faces front, which side faces rearward (and why?). Thank you.

Photo is of '65 convertible which has had a repaint, so we are not sure if placed correctly or not.

View attachment 1715641570

That is the correct way!

 

[65 Cuda 340]

Here's a pic of my 65 Barracuda taken back in 1969, when it still had the original factory paint. Round edge goes toward the engine.

 

[dibbons]

The photo in post #4 looks too fuzzy for me to make out the orientation, but I suppose 65 Cuda 340 knows what he's talking about.

Anyhow, we appear to have two opinions on the subject, which is usually the case with most general internet inquiries, automotive or otherwise.

Where is a true-blue Mopar engineer/designer when you need one (lol)? It's funny we don't seem to have any on the forum that I know of.

 

[LO23M8B]

The photo in post #4 looks too fuzzy for me to make out the orientation, but I suppose 65 Cuda 340 knows what he's talking about.

Anyhow, we appear to have two opinions on the subject, which is usually the case with most general internet inquiries, automotive or otherwise.

Where is a true-blue Mopar engineer/designer when you need one (lol)? It's funny we don't seem to have any on the forum that I know of.

My 65 cuda still has the original one. 65 cuda 340 is correct.

 

[dibbons]

I just post this for fun then, original '65 Formula S.

 

[dibbons]

My final word on this:

a) I'm not positive what post #4 means by "Round edge goes toward the engine."

b) Looking at my own photo once again in post #1, I can see that the repaint did not include underhood or the area of the seal. The seal has obviously been installed there forever and I am now 99% sure is an original piece (one point for that orientation).

c) In post #3, 65dartcharger agrees that the orientation in post #1 is correct. 65dartcharger even refers to himself as a historian so he must be correct most of the time anyway (one more point for orientation in post #1)

d) Finding a drawing/sketch of the seal on page 15-1 of the 1965 Passenger Car Parts Catalog (Mopar official book) of the same seal on Valiant (upper sketch) and Dart (lower sketch) by way of using a magnifying glass, it appears the seal is facing the same way as in post #1 (one more point for orientation in post #1).

e) Finding a photo of my '65 Formula S before disassembly, it's difficult to see but I believe the seal is original and follows the orientation of post #1 (see below photo and give orientation #1 one more point).

That's four points for orientation #1 that I can't really ignore. Going with that installation method tomorrow unless I am convinced otherwise between now and then (lol).

 

[65 Cuda 340]

My final word on this:

a) I'm not positive what post #4 means by "Round edge goes toward the engine."

Your initial post observes that "the seal can be placed two different ways because its round and smooth on one edge and kind of open on the other side."

So "round edge" refers to "round and smooth edge."

As I don't care to beat this into the ground, this will be my final post, too. At present, I own two early A bodies - a 65 Barracuda and a 63 Valiant (the 65 since 1968). I also own a 65 Dart parts car. In addition to these three, in the past I've owned a 65 Valiant and a 66 Barracuda. My mother owned a 64 Barracuda until a decade or so ago. My brother owned two early A parts cars - a 65 Valiant and a 65 Barracuda. That's eight early A's altogether. Plus I've seen I don't know how many additional early A's at shows, etc. I have NEVER seen a hood-to-cowl seal oriented with the round edge to the rear and the "open" side to the front. Now - with some two million or so early A's produced 63-66, did some seals get installed incorrectly at the factory? Wouldn't be surprised. Others undoubtedly got turned around in the fifty years since they were produced. However, I am 100% confident that the correct orientation is as I said.

For whatever it's worth, I also own a 56 Plymouth and a 64 Polara with similar hood-to-cowl seals that are also oriented as above.

Now, you can believe me or not. I can offer no proof except my own fairly wide but not infinite experience. Your car, your choice.

Cheers!

 

[dibbons]

Point well taken, two ways to place it, two ways it was installed. The best source would be factory diagrams in my humble opinion, but unfortunately that is the most difficult to read (not detailed enough images). Regardless, the good news is the seal will probably work installed either way. Whew!

 

[65dartcharger]

I have four 1965 Dart assembled i Los Angeles. All of them have the open side towards the front. However I bought a 65 Dart wagon for my son and that moulding was placed with the open area backwards. But of all those LA assembled cars I've seen most cars have had that open area towards the front. Enclosed is a picture of my unrestored Dart Charger.
Back in 1965 Dart, Valiant and Barracuda was the most sold American cars in Sweden. All of the sold A-bodies were assembled at the Hamtramck plant. These cars had a 50/50 mounting of that rubber moulding each way.
So it might be possible that each plant had their own routine.

 

[dibbons]

That's what it appears to be, a coin toss. The engineers must have had something in mind, but this forum is probably not going to solve the "mystery".