Paul Masson's 71 Grabber

Looking good with the clean-up on those parts, I had a set of those slots with the Maverick center caps on my '75, hated them, the screws that hold the caps on always got stuck and twisted off, had to fix them every time I changed the tires, I changed the rear tires alot!

 

Years ago I has access to a glass bead cabinet and, at times, I sure wish I still did - it's a "make new again" machine

 

Some anti seize on those screws would help to prevent that.

 

Cowl Prep Progress

Finally got the passenger side of my donor cowl piece relieved of all it's excess skin. I did some sand blasting until my back and air compressor were ready to give out, and then I tossed the cowl pans into the hole, just to remind me of what the car looks like without a 4 1/2 foot chasm under the windshield.

Thanks to Glenn (car-nut) :Handshakefor providing me with some much-needed measurements. The car has sprung outwards by a proud 1/4". I may be asking for some more measurements before the weekend is out.

 

Wowie, youse been busy...

 

It's real nice to be able to get rid of all the rust

 

Got the 43 year old glue and paint off of the roof. A friend of mine (against my better judgement) finally convinced me to use paint stripper. Somehow we managed to NOT drip any on the rest of the car.





I also got some more wire-wheeling done in the back seat. Once I hit the black seam sealer and flung that all around, I decided it was time to stop for the night.



Today's job will be drawing the bottom of the A-pillars in to the 55-1/2" to start fitting the lower cowl.

Does anyone know what the measurement is from top to bottom of the windshield opening in the very center of the car?? Mine is kind of a "floating" measurement at the moment...

 

I can measure that for you tonight, if someone else doesn't get to it first.
Make sure you triple clean every nook and cranny, since you used paint stripper..you need to find it all, or it'll creep out later on...

 

The roof looks good for being under that vinyl for all those years - are there issues with the area above the top of the windshield or is that just the way the light hits it

 

Yes, there are issues, which is why the top came off. I bought a new one cause I don't want to paint the car. If I was painting the whole car, I would weld-up the chrome trim holes and be done with it. I know, I'm being too stubborn.

And thanks Dave! I'll make sure we get all the stripper out.

 

Ok, from the top pinch weld, to the bottom (black lines) it is exactly 22 inches, measured within a 1/16 th of an inch of center.

 

Perfect! Thanks Dave. :Handshake

I'll see how far off I am tomorrow night while the wife and kids are at gymnastics. My trigger finger is getting itchy for the MIG!!

 

That measurement isn't 100% accurate for cowl placement. You need more measurements I think. It doesn't help that you have a cowl in 2 pieces. The last thing you'd want is a windshield stress cracking or not fitting.

 

Looks good Paul!

 

Before I drilled out the "New" cowl from the donor car, I welded tabs to the underside of the cowl pan so that they were touching the firewall and A-pillar.


http://mmb.maverick.to/showpost.php?p=969140&postcount=85

This landmarked the front and sides of the cowl. I have the A-pillars drawn-in to make up for the 1/4" I was out. I laid the cowl pieces in the hole with my tabs firmly placed against the firewall and sides. I'll weld each side to the car, then place the center at Dave's measurements. Then I can weld the seam up the middle and all should be good.

I agree (before anybody reminds me, LOL) that I should have kept the cowl in one piece, but it is what it is. I suppose I could cross-reference Dave's measurement with a height measurement from the top of the trans hump to the windshield lip on the cowl, just to be sure.

Thanks Tom! Builds like yours give me plenty of motivation.:Handshake