Should my 1974 Duster have a hood - to - radiator support gasket?

[cruiser]

Guys/Gals: Should my 1974 Duster (slant six auto, non a/c) have a rubber gasket that seals up the gap between the front of the hood and the top of the radiator support? There are six holes there on the back side of the cross support on the front underside of the hood. I've had this seal on other cars, but my Duster doesn't have one and I'm wondering if this is factory correct. Or does this gasket only come on air conditioned cars? I know my hood was replaced with a NOS hood in the 80s, and it's the correct hood for my car. Ideas, anyone? Thanks - cruiser

 

[GTX JOHN]

I have really not observed any discernable difference with or without
in the cooling temperature. I have not run one for the last 20 years.

 

[townsend]

There is a front and rear seal on the 74 duster hood.
Front seal part # 2582134
Rear seal part # 2785695

 

[Syleng1]

Just buy it and put it on. Correct? Who cares if you want it.
It’s your car.

 

[cruiser]

There is a front and rear seal on the 74 duster hood.
Front seal part # 2582134
Rear seal part # 2785695

Thanks. Do you happen to know if all Dusters came with the front seal, or just cars with air conditioning and/or the max cooling package?

 

[A56]

Guys/Gals: Should my 1974 Duster (slant six auto, non a/c) have a rubber gasket that seals up the gap between the front of the hood and the top of the radiator support? There are six holes there on the back side of the cross support on the front underside of the hood. I've had this seal on other cars, but my Duster doesn't have one and I'm wondering if this is factory correct. Or does this gasket only come on air conditioned cars? I know my hood was replaced with a NOS hood in the 80s, and it's the correct hood for my car. Ideas, anyone? Thanks - cruiser

Not just for a/c cars

 

[townsend]

Seal was standard equipment on Dusters with or without AC.
In fact all Abodies from at least 70 thru 76 used the same seal except the Feather Duster and Dart Lite.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Some did, some didn't.

 

[French demon]

I also was wondering about these unused holes into my Demon hood underside.

I have been lucky enough to find an used original rubber seal with clips, here on FABO.

This is the kind of part that is often removed, but never reinstalled

The main purpose of this seal is to force the air through the radiator and not allowing it to pass between the hood and the radiator.

As told by Townsend, there is also another seal in rear, but its purpose is different : avoiding water to flow on the firewall.

 

[4mulas]

Thanks. Do you happen to know if all Dusters came with the front seal, or just cars with air conditioning and/or the max cooling package?

I have a ‘70 with A/C and it has one if it helps.

 

[H22A4]

I have a 75 Scamp w/o AC and it has the front seal.

 

[S'cuder]

I put one on my Barracuda. It seemed to help with cooling at low speeds.

Mopar A Body 72-76 Dart Duster Scamp Valiant Hood to Radiator Seal with Plastic Clips

 

[barbee6043]

Even my Fords use such seals, I bet to help air flow to radiator. Ford ones are cheap...the Mopar ones might not be!

 

[cruiser]

Guys, thanks for all the help and insight. And yes, you are indeed correct that my car should have one. This weekend, I have been displaying my Duster at the Mopars in the Park car show up here in Minnesota. I found one of these seals at the Layson's Parts tent and promptly bought it for $58.00. Here are several photos - the underside of the hood without the seal, then the seal itself stretched out on the ground, and finally the seal installed on my car. So for the first time since October of 1975 (when the original hood was replaced after an accident), my hood has both correct front and rear seals. Many thanks, all!