Anyone experience rust on cowl?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Anyone experience rust on cowl?
I have a 74 F-100 2WD. It a local WA state truck so rust is not as usual as trucks from other parts on the country. The truck is in great shape with original paint and I have replaced pretty much every part except paint and body work even though both look very good. It has however developed rust on the underside of the cowl where the firewall meets the cowl under the hood. It is where that lip comes out about an inch or two. I believe water is leaking into the cab from that area. Has anyone seen that before and is it a common area for rust. Also, how hard is it to repair, what needs to be removed to get at it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Brian
Brian
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 362
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From: Calhoun, ga
BKAMPBEL - ARRRGH!!! Indeed, it's a common area - and I've got it on mine, too... another '74 model. That's why I have a replacement cab sitting in the back yard with a cowl clean enough to eat off of. That's ALSO why my cowl will be SHAVED when I'm finished with the project --- this cowl is made to suck in leaves / water / whatever. Practically impossible to fix once everything else starts rusting along with it (including floorboards). Best of luck - you'll need it!!...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 362
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From: Calhoun, ga
BKAMPBEL -
Oh, I forgot to mention Ford's "Brighter Idea"...the cowl leads into the heater control box --- GUESS what is in there?.... an LARGE EXPOSED heater resistor element. So what happens now?..... leaves and debris that get sucked into the cowl now get sucked into the heater control box and get lodged onto the resistor element and then catch fire!!... you got it.... you'll see fire and flames coming up out of the defroster ducts when the fire starts and your truck melting in front of you.
Be sure you bring some marshmellows....
Oh, I forgot to mention Ford's "Brighter Idea"...the cowl leads into the heater control box --- GUESS what is in there?.... an LARGE EXPOSED heater resistor element. So what happens now?..... leaves and debris that get sucked into the cowl now get sucked into the heater control box and get lodged onto the resistor element and then catch fire!!... you got it.... you'll see fire and flames coming up out of the defroster ducts when the fire starts and your truck melting in front of you.
Be sure you bring some marshmellows....
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,671
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From: Eastern Shore, Md.
Don't you just love the "crap traps " on these trucks. I don't know about 74's but the 65-66' the cowl goes down to side air vents in the kick panels and crap lays there and rots out the bottom of the door jamb, vent, lower cowl between the front of the cab and fenders. not to mention other crap traps - the cab mounts, mid cab brace and floorpans.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 362
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From: Calhoun, ga
TruckNut - yup, the 74's are the very same way.
I must have cleaned out 25 years worth of squirrel dookie from mine, once I found OUT about them.
The current cab I have in the back yard was kept garaged, so no rust. When it's installed on the current frame, the vents will be shaved and defroster air will be sucked in from outside - no fresh air..... if I want fresh air I can roll the weender down
I must have cleaned out 25 years worth of squirrel dookie from mine, once I found OUT about them.
The current cab I have in the back yard was kept garaged, so no rust. When it's installed on the current frame, the vents will be shaved and defroster air will be sucked in from outside - no fresh air..... if I want fresh air I can roll the weender down
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,671
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From: Eastern Shore, Md.
Cool, good thing you caught it in time. Hows the bed? any rust over the fender wells? My 78' Ranger is starting to and I need to think about fixing it. The 65-66 don't rust there.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 362
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From: Calhoun, ga
66fdtrucknut; actually there isn't any rust in the wheel-wells, but the previous owner abused the bed with printing equipment - it's really shot. Will probably spring for a 50 pound fiberglass bed this summer....
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