Projects Model a coupe Back of Dash waterproofing

Hi y'all,
I live in Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi where it rains just about once or twice a day during spring, summer, and fall. Ironically, winter is when we experience the most clear skies.
I know while driving my '31 coupe, I'm going to get caught in rain with the windshield open, so I want to know if anyone has covered up this area behind the dash, and how they did it.
This is not my picture, it's from another thread.
Thanks

 

Welcome to the HAMB from Illinois.

It will not be possible to completely eliminate leaking around the windshield, using traditional methods.

Traditional methods include a new seal along the top edge and the seal around the remaining three sides. Also, proper hardware for the swing arms is essential. Finally, I have seen rain leak around the glass, if it is not properly bedded to the frame.

Shops like this, on the mainland, sell all the reproduction parts needed.
https://www.mikes-afordable.com/

The other approach would be to seal everything with silicone. Looks terrible, but it might prevent leaks.

I put over a 100k miles on my slant window Model A. We carried towels to get us through the worst storms.

I hope this helps.

 

Why would you drive with the windows open in the rain (including the front one) and not expect to get wet?! Just close the windows like a reasonable man would.

 

Aloha Kaauila Kalai !

Lets see some pics of the coupe...

 

Its designed to be a vent. Thats how it works. Plugging it could be difficult.

 

Flex Seal Tape.

 

I think you have the right idea - as no matter how good all the OEM window and window frame seals seem to be, the water gets blown in there somehow (even at Hawaiian speed limits, LOL). Awhile back, I found a dash assembly from a mid-20's Studebaker at a swap meet (sorry no pix). What caught my eye was that it already had a smooth, curved channel (with end plates) ahead of the dash that is specifically intended to catch water leaking around the windshield and to drain it off to the sides; IE, just what you are looking for. The idea is clever, it is just a small version of a residential rain gutter. The Stude dash even has a drain pipe welded on each corner at the low spots meant for attaching hoses. Those hoses would probably be routed down thru the kick panels and out the floor or around the firewall some place. I have no idea how my Stude dash will work just yet, mostly worried about the width, but it looks like a 32 Ford dash and the oval cut-out for the gauge panel is very similar. Just find a good metal worker, if you can't fab it yourself.

Found the link to my old dash thread (withe pix): https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/can-you-help-identify-this-dash.963469/#post-10846174

 

Put drain nipples in the lower corners and flex seal tape everything else so the water has to go out the drains. Like the Studebaker dash gnichols mentioned.

 

Wow I never would have guessed that's how it works, that's actually pretty cool. We just have a couple of wires running in that area, I guess we'll just pay extra attention to them.

 

Thanks you guys, I'll take all of this into consideration and post what we come up with

 

I'll try ahaha, but rain in humid 80 degree heat in a hot rod can be brutal, and I need some airflow. Plus when it rains out of nowhere, I don't want the carpet or any wiring to get wet. I experienced all of this in my beater 57 chevy, and it can be such a headache.

 

Aloha!
Here it is. It's got a 1966 Chevelle 283 with a 700r4 on a brand new Brookville Roadster chassis w/ a 4-link 9-inch rear axle, and a Pete & Jakes front axle kit. It currently has a 4 barrel Edelbrock, but the big topper is going to be the three stromberg 97s that will go on after the car's first show on Saturday.
I've been learning pinstriping, so this is a concept of what I'm going to try and put on the car tomorrow night.

 

This is what it came as, it'll still be a full-fendered car.
I know y'all didn't ask, but I just want to share my story with the car. Basically, I bought it last year February. It had a 350 with gear-drive, a jag rear end welded on the frame with the cage, and just a bunch of half-assed parts thrown at it when it was built on the mainland by a meth dealer or something. The 350 was leaking from the rear main seal, we took it out and found cracks in the frame and all sorts of mismatches. So I bought a new frame, was given a lot of donated parts (thank you hot rodders of hawaii), and threw my savings at it. All of my friends are going to college, but hey, I built an all Henry Steel Model A from the ground up with my Dad, I'm happy.

 

Nice coupe! The stock ventilation system works really well in a Model A. It’s best to have the face of the dash set back like the original dash for it to work the best.

 

Very nice A man....E komo mai.