Drivers side cowl vent repair complete

It was made easier by the fact I'm converting this car to a/c, so I did not need to keep the vent.

 

Damn Matt. You got good quick!!!

 

What are you going to seal it with?

 

Thanks Dennis. Those definitely are some of my better welds, but I thought the bead was a little too tall. I couldn't turn the heat up more or I kept blowing through the old metal which was thinner than what I patched it with. Advice?

I plan to POR-15 the heck out of everything, and then coat the seams with Eastwood's brushable seam sealer.

 

For a situation like that (sheet metal) I think I would probably stitch weld it. Less likely to burn through. Just an opinion, I dont know if that is what it calls for or not. I imagine it depends on the welder you have. Mine settings are not fine enough for a continuous weld on what you are doing. Looking good though. What is the due date on that baby (car)?

 

I'm in the same boat as far as only having a few heat settings. My goal is to have the car reassembled and some of the body work done before the Roundup. I will wait until afterwards to do most of it because the body is pretty clean on this car, it just has a few problem areas. I don't plan on painting the car until next year.

 

Are you blocking off fresh air ventilation by doing this? Do you care?

 

I wonder where all that air comes from for the AC :confused: I hope not there

 

On the factory a/c cars the cowl only has one vent (on the passengers side). I think Matt shut the driver's side off, so he's in good shape.
-Corbin

 

Yepper, Corbin is right. I considered leaving it in there for some extra fresh air if I wanted it, but decided I really didn't care enough to bother with it.

 

Here's what I do when I butt weld. I cut about 1/4" wide strips, about 6" long, or any length will do, of sheet metal. Then straddle the strips along the seem on the back side. Hold it in place with a magnet. I have a bunch of old speaker magnets I use. Then when you weld, you won't blow out the edges of the metal. When your weld is complete, you can gring off the strip. Or if it cant be seen, you can just seal it with rustoleum of whatever, and leave it.

 

Matt, looks good!!!

 

matt, fine job you did there.

where the drain hole is for the cowl, i cut mine larger so the trash could be washed out. if ford had done that we would not be talking about this right now...frank...:bananaman :bananaman

 

Thanks guys.

That's a good idea Dennis, I'll have to try that. One thing I have done for wider gaps is put a short piece of copper pipe behind the gap. The weld don't stick to the copper and it seems to also help with the blow-through a little. I need to flatten a piece out for more general use.

Frank, are you talking about the hole in the end that drains over the inner fender? You have a pic of that? I think I know what you did but a pic would help me along.

 

matt, that is where i am talking about. i just cut the opening bigger. i don't own thoes cowls anymore. ...frank...:bananaman :bananaman