Powerbulge hood and rainwater?

Subscribe
Jul 31, 2016 | 11:47 PM
  #1  
Is it expected for water to come in through the cowl or am I missing something on my hood? It's the factory bulge hood and does have a screen in the opening. It just seems like too much water comes in when it rains and I was curious if this happens to all of them.
Reply 0
Jul 31, 2016 | 11:53 PM
  #2  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
For 89 they came with a plastic insert, occasionally you'd get the grill included with the car in the paperwork, whatnot, but should have came with a plastic one.

Like with the PO of mine, they removed it in favor of the grill.

I live in California, so it's not an issue for me. There is a rain catch from older models that kinda drains it off the side. Not sure of the P/N but I bet someone here knows.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 12:13 AM
  #3  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Had mine removed for years on my 92 formy. Never had an issue!
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 05:17 AM
  #4  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
The 82-4 trans ams with the cold air induction got the screen, there was also a water tray that bolted to the underside of the hood to direct the water away from the motor a bit.
87-92 have a aluminum piece, coated black, solid block off part.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 05:46 AM
  #5  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Quote: The 82-4 trans ams with the cold air induction got the screen, there was also a water tray that bolted to the underside of the hood to direct the water away from the motor a bit.
87-92 have a aluminum piece, coated black, solid block off part.
Does anyone have a few pics? Mine has the plastic grill. Does the other plastic piece just block the entire opening? I got the hood from a formula at a junkyard so I may be missing pieces. I keep getting a puddle of water on the intake in front of the distributor.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 06:00 AM
  #6  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Quote: Does anyone have a few pics? Mine has the plastic grill. Does the other plastic piece just block the entire opening? I got the hood from a formula at a junkyard so I may be missing pieces. I keep getting a puddle of water on the intake in front of the distributor.
The honeycomb screen and the solid screen are aluminum, not plastic. I thought I had a few pix on my photo bucket account but I don't.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 06:08 AM
  #7  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Could be the gasket around the base of the intake piece,where it mates to the hood. Mine was completely shot and I made a new one. No water on the engine since. . You would be better off with the solid filler rather than the screen. Supposedly the airflow across the bulge and up the windshield creats a "rotor" at the back of the bulge forcing air into it. With the screen and no damper as in the functional 82-84 system, you will have water driven in.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 06:43 AM
  #8  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
The water tray is in pretty bad condition on my '84 and only held in place with one screw (one tab is broken), I do get a bit of water occasionally on top of the air cleaner.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 07:16 AM
  #9  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Quote: Could be the gasket around the base of the intake piece,where it mates to the hood. Mine was completely shot and I made a new one. No water on the engine since. . You would be better off with the solid filler rather than the screen. Supposedly the airflow across the bulge and up the windshield creats a "rotor" at the back of the bulge forcing air into it. With the screen and no damper as in the functional 82-84 system, you will have water driven in.
From what I have seen with my car the underhood air psi at speed forces air out of the open area, sometimes its enough to fog up the windshield
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 07:36 AM
  #10  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?

Dont know if this helps. Only in a severe storm have I had any water get in. I don't drive it in rain unless it sneaks up on me though.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 07:43 AM
  #11  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Quote:
Dont know if this helps. Only in a severe storm have I had any water get in. I don't drive it in rain unless it sneaks up on me though.


On a side note I think I have the same air cleaner as you. What carb do you have and do you have any clearance issues?
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 07:45 AM
  #12  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
No carb. TBI. Its either a Summit brand drop base aircleaner or maybe an edelbrock I ordered without the logo. After paint I will start on a new engine and it will be carb. Only one kind of carb I know of..HOLLEY !
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 09:09 AM
  #13  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
A Knight Rider replica guy makes these...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KNIGHT-KITT-...MdH9Mw&vxp=mtr

My 91 Formula came with the metal plate to close it off (TPI)...
But I got a screen from an 84 car, had it chromed, and plan to put an LED shift light behind it

Rafael
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 10:00 AM
  #14  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
This how I have mine setup

Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 10:14 AM
  #15  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Quote: This how I have mine setup

What gauges are those? Could you send a few more pictures of how you mounted it all?
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 10:22 AM
  #16  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Auto meter, Air fuel, fuel PSI and trans temp. Have room for more when she goes turbo.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 11:01 AM
  #17  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Quote: Auto meter, Air fuel, fuel PSI and trans temp. Have room for more when she goes turbo.
Any pictures of how you mounted them? Are they hard to see?
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 11:11 AM
  #18  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Quote: Any pictures of how you mounted them? Are they hard to see?
No I really don't and I'm at work now. Not real hard to see if your peepers are ok.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2016 | 01:21 PM
  #19  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Quote: A Knight Rider replica guy makes these...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KNIGHT-KITT-...MdH9Mw&vxp=mtr

My 91 Formula came with the metal plate to close it off (TPI)...
But I got a screen from an 84 car, had it chromed, and plan to put an LED shift light behind it

Rafael
This is actually a copy of the stock piece.
Reply 0
Oct 3, 2025 | 10:20 AM
  #20  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?

Here is a photo of the one on my TA. It is the original and I’ve never had a problem with it leaking but I sure do now. My carb lid is rusted due to water coming in and sitting there. I see the drains and they are not clogged. Not sure how to fix it.
Reply 0
Oct 4, 2025 | 05:57 PM
  #21  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Quote:
Here is a photo of the one on my TA. It is the original and I’ve never had a problem with it leaking but I sure do now. My carb lid is rusted due to water coming in and sitting there. I see the drains and they are not clogged. Not sure how to fix it.
There's a diecut foam seal on the insert to the hood. Im sure it's probably dry and gone by now.
Reply 0
Oct 5, 2025 | 07:53 AM
  #22  
Re: Powerbulge hood and rainwater?
Ok thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.
Reply 0
Subscribe