Paul Masson's 71 Grabber

Just a picture I finally got off my phone. It just shows the 'riggin' I used to get the windshield opeing straight and the cowl panel on the passenger's side is clamped down.



Oh, and "SPOILER ALERT":

This is something that came into my possession way too easily. It's a 71 block, bored .030" and the rest is unknown. I know the car that it came out of and let's just say it'll be plenty of power for me. I'm still not 100% sold on swapping, but maybe in a year or two, after I get my wheels and disc brakes. We'll see.

 

That's some fairly serious riggin' & clamping...

AFA the v8, never enough power, if you have it use it...

 

I went out and bought a boat load of cheap C-clamps from the bins at Harbor Frieght to put my cowl top back on - all different sizes and depths

 

Did the body actually move that much?

 

Glen (car-nut) measured his windshield opening width at 55-1/2". Mine was 55-3/4". I opened the door and tried to "check the hinges" and the whole side part of the body ahead of the hinges moved in and out a LOT!

I'm the dummy who didn't brace the two sides together before I popped the cowl out. Live and learn, I guess. Maybe wreck a nice car in the process??

Can you take a measurement from the trans tunnel to the top of the pinch weld at the center? I may need that, too. At least it would be a good check/balance.

 

I can measure any parts you want.

 

Thank You, sir!

 

We finally have a Princess Auto store in town now, so that's what I will be doing. Thanks Bob!

 

Thank You Guys!!

A big "Thank You" goes out to Dave B and car-nut. They were both kind enough to supply me detailed measurements and help with suggestions on getting my cowl fitted back into my car! I appreciate it, guys!

Now, onto some progress! I got the whole lower cowl panel fitted, measured, clamped and plug-welded in. I also managed to get the seam welded up the center where the cowl was cut in two. Everything looks straight, and I laid the windshield in the hole, and the profile of the pinch weld looks perfect!

I just have some grinding to do to the plug welds, to smooth them out. Then, it's time for POR-15...:bananaman

 

Looks awesome! Nice work!

 

Looking good Paul!

 

Nice job knitting the cowl back together - just by "eyeballing" it, it looks right

 

Awesome job Paul!!!! I thank my lucky stars that I did not have to deal with any cowl repair work.

 

Thanks guys! If it weren't for this Forum, I wouldn't have found the parts, nor had the experience of fellow Maverickers to draw from to get this repair started, let alone, done!

 

The welds on the lower cowl panel are all ground flush and ready for upper cowl fitment.



Center seam area where cowl was cut in half for shipping. **cringe**


Center seam from the other angle.


Driver's side of lower cowl all ground smooth around the edges.


One of the last times we'll see this view.


In preparation for painting the roof, floor, cowl, etc, I started working along the windshield jambs and decided it was time to pull the headliner down. I have also been long suspicious of the torn seam in the headliner. I wasn't surprised to see what I found once the headliner came down, but at least it will be corrected and fixed now.







The insulation has since been removed also.


I also was able to get the front and rear glass channels all cleaned out and ready for paint.









I stopped last night with sandblasting the cowl-to-fender brackets.