Previous Owner Started Repairs, now what to do

[certifiablecuda]

So, it has been a year since I got the `Cuda and have been buying/selling some parts, finishing up some projects and finally getting the newborn to sleep at night.

So, now I am ready to start doing some work.  I removed the hood and fenders and got into the engine bay to see what's what.  As you can see, there has been some new pieces welded in, but there is a major rust gap in the center of the firewall.

Now, I am sure the right thing to do is to get a new lower cowl and get all that new stuff out of the way and put the new stuff in, but I was wondering if there was any advice in doing so.

http://www.certifiablejeep.com/CUDA/images/page1/large/100_1203.jpg

Also, the cowl comes in 2 flavors if I end up going that route, one with A/C and one with out.  Obviously this car was not assembled with anything in the engine bay, so I am not sure if it was an A/C car or not.  from the pictures I see on line, it looks like it might be, but was just wondering if someone could verify that for me before I order the wrong part.

Thanks,
Craig

[Topcat]

What should be one way to repair it is to replace the cowl upper portion. In order to do this the aprons need to come back off to replace the entire cowl. The red circles is where the aprons meet the cowl.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/108/cowl.jpg

[Katfish]

Your car had AC.  The triangular fan motor and the 2 openings above are for the lines are the indicators.

[74chall]

a/c car. if your top cowl is that bad, most likely your lower is too stick you hands though the cowl grates and feel around on the sides . if you dash etc is out you could see rust from the inside.

[certifiablecuda]

Am I missing something?  I would say the lower cowl is what needs to be replaced, with the upper needing it a little bit.  To me, it looks like leaves or something collected in there and just kept it moist and now it has rusted through.

The picture that was attached by topcat shows the upper cowl and in comparing to mine, there are a few holes, but the aprons are attached to where you show and all down the lower cowl as well.  They are new parts and the welds are not ground down, so I can see where they were, so getting that off shouldn't be too bad, but it does show that there is a lot of work required to do this... I am just glad they made these parts today.

cb

[Topcat]

There's a couple of other options you can choose that would save save alot of work. 

1. Replace entire lower portion. You should be able to get this section used fairly easy since it was on both Cuda's and Challengers. Then replace entire top cowl  also.
Finding one separated from upper section is the challenge. IIRC, I don't think they're made yet from AMD. I could be wrong so double check w/them.

2. Cut out bad section on lower firewall and butt weld in new metal. Since it's straight flat metal, it would be easy to do. Grind out and then a little mud on the seam after. No biggie. Also just section in good metal on the upper cowl too.

The challenge for that is finding a non A/C upper cowl section. Otherwise you're back to AMD new cowl needing bought. 

So you've got a few options. If it were me; I would take the top cowl off first at the bad section since it's gotta go no matter what and survey the repair situation first then make my call on what to do.

If you do decide to replace the entire upper cowl; don't forget you might want to graft in your last vin #'s into the new cowl. 

[certifiablecuda]

Uppers and Lowers are available as a kit... with or without A/C

http://www.jimsautoparts.com/body_parts_front.htm


DS-AM3447ACS1 70-71 Barracuda & Challenger  with AC; vent grilles  for upper upper cowl panel attach with screws; no holes drilled $ 709.95/set

It is the right way to do this, I was just hoping to now have to UNDO all the PO work for the inner structure, to replace the old stuff, to then put it all back on.  Also, he had cut out a brand new piece from another car,but never put in the cowl when he put the other parts on... Not sure why 

http://www.certifiablejeep.com/CUDA/images/cleanup/large/100_0128.jpg

[Topcat]

Rusted out cowl's are a fairly common occurence on these E bodies.
Check out this thread:

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=54198.0