The bottoms of the cowl panels aren't quit lining up.......They are close enough that I can get some spot welds on the them, but I will have 1/8" to 1/4" gaps where they don't match the bottoms of the pillars and rockers.

Rather than cut them, and weld them back, I am thinking tack them and use some seam sealer just to close them up?

 

I use a punch and tamp them down to where they touch the panel I am welding to. Sometimes a welding clamp will pull them in nicely as well.

 

Those in that particular wont bend in. If i force them they will cave in the panel and no longer match the door contour. It is just really poor repop fitment.

 

Please post later what you did. I will be doing the same very soon on two different 1953 cowl's. I had heard that most are not a great fit, but need some extra retro-fitting or southern engineering to make them work for you. We all can learn from your experience.
psmith

 

Tac them in to match the door/fender fit, Then fill the gap with material. Good luck.