The Ford Barn

tmiller6 · 10-19-2010, 06:45 PM

We're sizing up my kid's 28 Sport Coupe. I have to rivet in a new subrail extension by the front floorboard and at the same time I am noticing one cowl side has extensive rust ranging from perforations to missing metal.

So my question is Which way is better? Full cowl panel replacement or a patch panel for the bottom six inches? I see Howells has full cowl sides and I am wondering if I am looking a deceptively complex job.
Any thoughts from the pros?

Thanks,
Tom Miller

Dennis Pereira · 10-19-2010, 09:00 PM

If you decide to replace the panel. See if you can find a original it will go a lot easier.

Dennis Pereira · 10-19-2010, 09:07 PM

I should add that mine were full of bullet holes and I welded in place. If I was to do it again I think finding some nice originals would be the way to go.

Doug in NJ · 10-19-2010, 10:00 PM

I used the "good" repro patch panels for S/W sedan. The rust had just started to perforate the panels at the top edge of the molding (about an inch from the bottom).
The patch job took a while to do, but it came out very nice, and that area will not give any trouble for another 50 years, I hope.

This page has several photos of the job (as well as some other patch panels I did):

http://www.dougbraun.com/model_a_gal...g2_itemId=4655

Doug

30cabriolet · 10-20-2010, 04:52 AM

Stay away from Howells. Get what you need from one of the suppliers, that way if you have any problems there will be someone to help.

Vanspeed · 10-20-2010, 10:45 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I agree with all of the above, stay away from Howells. Try to use original panels if you can. I just got done installing some aftermarket full panels on my 29 tudor and the fit was awful.

tmiller6 · 10-20-2010, 11:36 AM

Thanks All,

I just got off the phone and now have a "rust free original with one small dent" cowl panel on its way to my home. After looking at the photos of the practically bare metal piece, I just had to ask if he had any in Niagara Blue. I neglected to mention most of the car is currently in gray primer. He took my comment in stride.

Regards,
Tom

wrndln · 10-20-2010, 12:25 PM

I agree - stay away for Howell's Sheetmetal. I have receive a couple of sheetmetal parts that I wont use because the fit is so poor. I have patched 3 rusted out cowl sections, I just cut a patch the is needed to get rid of the rusted out area. The rust out is usually where the triangular gussets are located on the door post side. If you wedge a copper plate behind the seems that needs to be welded, it really helps when you weld the patch in. I think is works better that way without any riveting involved.

10-19-2010, 06:45 PM	#1
tmiller6 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Livonia, MI Posts: 197	28-9 Coupe Cowl Panels - What's involved? We're sizing up my kid's 28 Sport Coupe. I have to rivet in a new subrail extension by the front floorboard and at the same time I am noticing one cowl side has extensive rust ranging from perforations to missing metal. So my question is Which way is better? Full cowl panel replacement or a patch panel for the bottom six inches? I see Howells has full cowl sides and I am wondering if I am looking a deceptively complex job. Any thoughts from the pros? Thanks, Tom Miller

10-19-2010, 09:00 PM	#2
Dennis Pereira Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgetown Divide Kelsey ca Posts: 868	Re: 28-9 Coupe Cowl Panels - What's involved? If you decide to replace the panel. See if you can find a original it will go a lot easier. __________________ Dennis in Kelsey ca

10-19-2010, 09:07 PM	#3
Dennis Pereira Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgetown Divide Kelsey ca Posts: 868	Re: 28-9 Coupe Cowl Panels - What's involved? I should add that mine were full of bullet holes and I welded in place. If I was to do it again I think finding some nice originals would be the way to go. __________________ Dennis in Kelsey ca

10-19-2010, 10:00 PM	#4
Doug in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 965	Re: 28-9 Coupe Cowl Panels - What's involved? I used the "good" repro patch panels for S/W sedan. The rust had just started to perforate the panels at the top edge of the molding (about an inch from the bottom). The patch job took a while to do, but it came out very nice, and that area will not give any trouble for another 50 years, I hope. This page has several photos of the job (as well as some other patch panels I did): http://www.dougbraun.com/model_a_gal...g2_itemId=4655 Doug __________________ My '31 S/W sedan project:http://31ford.dougbraun.com My restoration diary: http://dougbraun.com/blog Last edited by Doug in NJ; 10-19-2010 at 10:05 PM. Reason: added link

10-20-2010, 04:52 AM	#5
30cabriolet Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 130	Re: 28-9 Coupe Cowl Panels - What's involved? Stay away from Howells. Get what you need from one of the suppliers, that way if you have any problems there will be someone to help.

10-20-2010, 10:45 AM	#6
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,384	Re: 28-9 Coupe Cowl Panels - What's involved? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I agree with all of the above, stay away from Howells. Try to use original panels if you can. I just got done installing some aftermarket full panels on my 29 tudor and the fit was awful. __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

10-20-2010, 11:36 AM	#7
tmiller6 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Livonia, MI Posts: 197	Re: 28-9 Coupe Cowl Panels - What's involved? Thanks All, I just got off the phone and now have a "rust free original with one small dent" cowl panel on its way to my home. After looking at the photos of the practically bare metal piece, I just had to ask if he had any in Niagara Blue. I neglected to mention most of the car is currently in gray primer. He took my comment in stride. Regards, Tom

10-20-2010, 12:25 PM	#8
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,162	Re: 28-9 Coupe Cowl Panels - What's involved? I agree - stay away for Howell's Sheetmetal. I have receive a couple of sheetmetal parts that I wont use because the fit is so poor. I have patched 3 rusted out cowl sections, I just cut a patch the is needed to get rid of the rusted out area. The rust out is usually where the triangular gussets are located on the door post side. If you wedge a copper plate behind the seems that needs to be welded, it really helps when you weld the patch in. I think is works better that way without any riveting involved. Last edited by wrndln; 10-20-2010 at 10:32 PM.