Partial cowl repair possible?

[RIBS]

Hi all,

 I am going through the 71 Mustang convertible I bought 4 months ago, I finally got the fenders off and did a cowl leak test. The passenger side Is bone dry but the water came straight in the drivers footwell.  It’s coming in from the far front corner, in-line with emergency brake and headlight dimmer.   As far as I can tell, it’s an area about the size of a golf ball that needs attention.

My question is,  anyone to a partial repair?  my budget can’t handle the expense of tearing the cowl out.My thought is, cut the corner off and get a repair in through the space marked in pic….my welder is coming to do quarter panel next week, might have him cut this corner off for inspection…

opinions?

 

[tony-muscle]

Definitely. Depending on the amount of rust you have it may work. A snake camera can be very useful to asses the situation.

You can look at my thread here for ideas: 

 

[Vinnie]

Hi,

It can be done I guess but you are proposing a very small hole to work through. I am currently working both sides of my cowl and am cutting the corners off to get good access to the inside. I also found more rust than I bargained for...

Good luck!

Vincent.

 

[RIBS]

The problem is the side upper frame is welded over the cowl cover….

 

[Vinnie]

I know, it's 50% of the pain when there is actually not neccesarily a problem with that part... I removed mine to get inside the cowl:







...

 

[Kilgon]

I removed the entire top of my cowl.  The passenger side was shot above the heater/ac box.  I'm glad I took the top off instead of trying to do a partial area repair.  Yes it takes time and a lot of work plus the windshield needs to come out but to me it was worth it.  I know that my cowl is solid and rust free.   Looks can be deceiving.



The bottom side of the top of cowl was loaded with rust.  


 

 

[Bentworker]

I did a partial lower cowl without removing the upper.  Had to pull the dash, carpet and do a bunch of upside down sheet metal welding.  Not pleasant- however cowl repair is never pleasant.