Hi While finishing up my digital dash I decided to make some cowl block off plates. My cowls were eaten up by the rust worm's. I went ahead and replaced all the rusted out parts including the hats. Since I pulled a perfectly good factory heat and air unit out and converted to a Vintage Air unit mainly to save weight. The VA unit is about 40 Lb's lighter then the stock unit and does not need the outside air to operate. Anyway Here is a picture of where I am starting. Just need to finish the outside edge and drill the holes. I will use the stock screen to go over the plates and hopefully nobody will notice. Greg
I'd recommend you try really hard to seal up the cowl completely. Whatever water gets in there would stay and get musty without ventilation. Other than that, nobody would notice those plates.
I was planning on useing a non hardening silcon on it. It will seal and still allow me to remove it if I have to work on the wiper motor assembly. I may pull it out after a year and see if I have any moisture buildup. Greg
Might do this today. Depends on how things work out. This is just the first try and will more then likely have to do more then one to get it just right. Greg
Part 2 Here are a couple pictures of the first mock up. You will notice that I haven't put the clips in yet. I still have to prep and paint the engine compartment. I used 1/8 inch black lexan and with the protection paper pulled off you can't see the lexan. As I was hoping it looks like there is nothing there but the factory screens. Now if the weather will get up over the 70's for a few days I can get the paint gun out. Greg
Hi, so are these going under the cowl panel? I'm very new to Rancheros, does the cowl panel come off? I'm in the UK, so this will be an issue for me, lots of rain!!
The cowl panel comes off but is physically welded to the body....one must cut several spot welds to remove it.
Hi Neil These just sit on the top of the cowl in the stock location between the cowl and the plastic [stock] covers. They are sandwiched in between them. Be sure to have the hood to cowl seal in or water will migrate in from the mounting holes. If you don't have the seal you will have to silicone the holes. Greg