i have a 1986 f-150 supercab and trying to remove the cowling. i need to seal down inside. i have a small water leak and i think thats were its coming from. any tips on removing it? also how do you remove the chrome trim on the outside of the windshield? thanks

 

The cowl in front of the windshield? If so, take the wipers off, take the screws out along the front edge where the rubber seal is, and then lift it up and work it out from underneath the windshield trim.

The chrome trim around the windsheld has clips underneath that have to be released with a special tool. You have to work at it and be careful.

 

do i have to take the hood out to get the cowling off?

 

<link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <woNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> The Hood or the windshield molding does not need to be removed to remove the cowling.
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In addition to the screws holding the rubber molding on you have six or so screws that are located in the top just ahead of the windshield molding. The Antenna will need to be removed by using a small screwdriver to pry the chrome extrusion off the antenna base. This will expose four Phillips head screws that hold the base to the cowling allowing you to lift it off and remove the antenna coax cable. You should be able to remove the cowling now by carefully working it away from the windshield molding and lifting up at the same time. This is much easier if you have a helper on the other side of the truck.
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While you have this cowling off it would be a good time to clean all the leaves and debris that falls down both sides of the area behind the fenders. This is where a good shop vacuum comes in handy and you can finish up by using a water hose with a strong blast to make it nice and clean.