LOL! Yeah I know what you mean. I feel that way quite often especially when I think of all the time and money I've lavished on a '76 Maverick. You'd have to be nuts. Right?... but seriously. I did say "Maverick wisdom". That has nothing to do with actual wisdom.
Those are just vicious lies spread by my ex wife, wait, which reputation? Call anytime 410-923-6630 (within reason)
So that looks like hood, headlights, fenders,grill, windshield (and the dreaded trim), miscelaneous small parts. shock tower braces ,wiper arms gotta go to do this cowl repair. How about the engine? does that get in the way. How many spot welds do you need to drill out? Is the sheet metal glued on or sealed with adhesive? Then when its all done, How do you refasten it? do you fill the old spot welds with a new weld or what? I gots to know.
Here is an example of what is involved .... Although it is mentioned on the directions on the bottom they don't have pictures of all the spot welds being drilled .. http://www.mustangbarn.com/Cowl_Vent_Repair.htm
Oh. Is that all there is too it? Thanks for the link. Maybe next time I totally rebuild my Maverick from the ground up, I'll do that little cowl repair job.
You know, I'm really amazed that no one has ever just cut into the top of the cowl next to the louvers. We cut out bad sheetmetal all the time and replace it with patch panels. Why not just cut out a nice square panel on the top so it would be easy to access, make the repairs from the top side, water test, reweld the square panel previously cut out as you would a patch panel (should fit the hole perfectly). It will require some body filler but so what...how many people here don't have at least a little body filler in their cars? I can't think of any reason not to attempt this repair and I fully intend on doing it in the very near future. If anyone tries it before I do please let us know how it works out. If I do it first I'll take plenty of photos and let you guys know. This has always been a major issue on our cars but I'm thinking it shouldn't be. What do you guys think???
That's exactly what I'm talking about but I think it can be done just as well without cutting quite as big of a hole. Regardless, as long as it is welded back in good and solid, it should be fine. Thanks for finding that article...I hadn't seen it. Now I KNOW that's how I'll do the next one.
