What lurks beneath the cowl... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68CST327 · 05-10-2003, 09:04 PM

Wow. After removing the cowl today, I was shocked at the amount of dirt and debris in there. I knew it was clogged up, but I didn't know it was that bad. I would estimate about 60% dirt and 40% leaves and twigs. I guess 35 years outside and about 18 of them parked under an elm tree will do wonders.

So are there any interesting stories anyone wants to share? Find any hidden treasures, or other surprises under your cowl?

Blue_71 · 05-10-2003, 09:15 PM

found a 3/8 wrench in my 4x4s cowl, 2wd looked like yours though

gr8scott51 · 05-10-2003, 09:21 PM

What did I find? More rust. Rusted out seams from the windshield to the floorboard.

lotik · 05-10-2003, 09:30 PM

if you shave it that wont happen again..heh

Warbones · 05-10-2003, 09:42 PM

I didn't realize there was that much room to hide dirt and stuff. That will be one of the things I will clean out. Do they make a screen for that?

XXL · 05-10-2003, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lotik
if you shave it that wont happen again..heh

lotik, have you shaved your cowl yet? Got pictures? Got suggestions on how best to do it? Mine has been hanging from a nail in the garage for so long I almost forgot I had one. ebfabman was starting to work on one for me but he had to set it aside to work on his how-to videos. I'm starting to get close on needing it done but I'm kind of wary of my welding skills for so much that has to be done on the cowl.

Kenneth

knucklebuster · 05-10-2003, 10:27 PM

I didn't find anything other than pine needles and dirt........I mean nothing,no paint,no metal,nothing ,just huge gaping holes looking into the floorboards!!!!

Riveted1 · 05-10-2003, 10:41 PM

Hey Warbones, they do make a screen for that. You can get them in black or stainless, I think. Mothertruckers, GMC Pauls, Ricks, Brothers, etc. probably carry 'em. That's one of the things on my list for sure!

Jason71k10 · 05-10-2003, 10:43 PM

i think they do make a screen for that. I made one out of the nylon screen for a storm door. You can buy it in rolls at any hardware store.

Jason

krue · 05-10-2003, 10:50 PM

I am scared to look under mine. I gotta break down and start cleaning it up just to see how much work it's gonna need.

Warbones · 05-11-2003, 12:11 AM

I will be putting the screen on my want list as well.

*Gee_Emm* · 05-11-2003, 01:16 AM

Its time for me to preach.

Flush out your cowls and other crap collecting areas regularly!

Take a garden hose and run water in these areas until it flows nicely.

The areas include doors, front fenders and the cowl, they all have little slits in the bottom of them that are supposed to be drains. Keep the drains clear!
Do this at least yearly!!!!!!

Also while your at it flush out any other areas on the truck that crap could collect.

Only you can stop rust! :p

Ok Im done :p

yellowgmc · 05-11-2003, 01:31 AM

actually the cowl is the one area on my truck that hasn't given me any trouble. it's very clean and no rust.

73stepside · 05-11-2003, 02:58 AM

mine had a thin layer of caked on dust. not much in there.

**BIG ORANGE** · 05-11-2003, 12:20 PM

I just got 2 cowl trash covers from LMC for 24.95 well worth it!

Hutch · 05-11-2003, 12:51 PM

Both of my trucks had a big glob of sealer on the drivers side inside the cowl.
It looks to me as though the person responsible for putting the sealer on the cab joints had a habit of setting the sealer gun down after this process and the tip of the device had a little sealer left on it which made it way onto the metal inside the cowl.
not sure if this was particular to an assembly plant or whether on not it was a universal thing.
Maybe we should run a poll to see who has this and where their truck was manufactured.

Have fun

Dads72 · 05-11-2003, 05:17 PM

While the cowl is off, check out your antennae (sp?) and wiper motor.

*Gee_Emm* · 05-11-2003, 06:16 PM

The wiper motor is on the inside of the cab.

**passthebuck** · 05-11-2003, 06:33 PM

Not in a cowl BUT I bought a '71 fender from a local bone-yard & it had a big filliting knife down inside it. I'll get a pic of it one day...

Dads72 · 05-11-2003, 07:36 PM

Thanks Gee_Emm
My wiper motor is shot, and I was told the cowl had to come off to replace it.
Did you save me some grief?

Don't want to remove the cowl if I don't have to.

*Gee_Emm* · 05-11-2003, 08:07 PM

Well the linkage is on the outside and is attached to the shaft of the wiper motor but the entire motor is behind the dash and comes out that way.

Blue Beard · 05-11-2003, 08:31 PM

I believe LMC has the screens............

Don't know if I'd want to reach in there.......too many rats nest...........

gr8scott51 · 05-11-2003, 10:34 PM

My insurance says my truck has to stay in a locked garage, so I don't have to worry about keeping the drains open - I wish the PO had! lol Had some professional pics taken today, I'll try to show off when I get them. Mine doesn't compare to some on this board. Scott

1969 GMC · 05-12-2003, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gee_Emm
Its time for me to preach.

Flush out your cowls and other crap collecting areas regularly!

Take a garden hose and run water in these areas until it flows nicely.

The areas include doors, front fenders and the cowl, they all have little slits in the bottom of them that are supposed to be drains. Keep the drains clear!
Do this at least yearly!!!!!!

Also while your at it flush out any other areas on the truck that crap could collect.

Only you can stop rust! :p

Ok Im done :p

YES do this, listen to Gee_Emm...if you don't (like my p/o didn't), then this will happen:

05-12-2003, 03:30 AM

I had two dead rats in my cowl area. How nice it was to see this! They make two kinds of Cowl Trash guards: Stainless steel and painted black.

05-10-2003, 09:04 PM	#1
68CST327 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: USA Posts: 443	What lurks beneath the cowl... Wow. After removing the cowl today, I was shocked at the amount of dirt and debris in there. I knew it was clogged up, but I didn't know it was that bad. I would estimate about 60% dirt and 40% leaves and twigs. I guess 35 years outside and about 18 of them parked under an elm tree will do wonders. So are there any interesting stories anyone wants to share? Find any hidden treasures, or other surprises under your cowl?

05-10-2003, 09:21 PM	#3
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	What did I find? More rust. Rusted out seams from the windshield to the floorboard. __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

05-10-2003, 09:30 PM	#4
lotik drag it like you stole it Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 542	if you shave it that wont happen again..heh __________________ negative camber //LA\\

05-10-2003, 09:42 PM	#5
Warbones Navel Inspector Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 1,373	WOW!!! I didn't realize there was that much room to hide dirt and stuff. That will be one of the things I will clean out. Do they make a screen for that? __________________ 1948 Chevy Aerosedan GONE! I think. 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Coupe WANTED 1967 IMPALA 1967 CST C10 Long Bed with a 283

05-10-2003, 10:27 PM	#7
knucklebuster Failure is NOT an option! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: greenwood s.c. Posts: 811	I didn't find anything other than pine needles and dirt........I mean nothing,no paint,no metal,nothing ,just huge gaping holes looking into the floorboards!!!! __________________ House payment or truck parts?????.........why does life have to be so complicated? 1969 Chevy Shortbed Fleetside 1969 Camaro ps pb a/c(drove in high school now it's just a yard ornament,but it's next on the list for resto) 1990 Ni$$an hardbody( daily beater that has been really beaten!) 1999 Grand Am GT(wifes ride...never buy a pontiac!!Trust Me)

05-10-2003, 10:41 PM	#8
Riveted1 Tasty Cakes! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 2,112	Hey Warbones, they do make a screen for that. You can get them in black or stainless, I think. Mothertruckers, GMC Pauls, Ricks, Brothers, etc. probably carry 'em. That's one of the things on my list for sure! __________________ I'm a little and a lot Ground beef: A cow with no legs. ---------------- '66 Chevy SWB "Penny" '67 Chevy Big Window SWB- aka "Pearl" '72 Burb- "Betty" "It's not a hearse dammit" '99 Chevy Ext. cab Silverado

05-10-2003, 10:43 PM	#9
Jason71k10 ready for reassembly Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Barrie ONT, Canada Posts: 413	i think they do make a screen for that. I made one out of the nylon screen for a storm door. You can buy it in rolls at any hardware store. Jason __________________ stock 71 4x4 2003 Jeep Liberty, rocky mountain edition I'm obsessed, and wouldn't have it any other way!

05-10-2003, 10:50 PM	#10
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	I am scared to look under mine. I gotta break down and start cleaning it up just to see how much work it's gonna need. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

05-11-2003, 12:11 AM	#11
Warbones Navel Inspector Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 1,373	Like wise I will be putting the screen on my want list as well. __________________ 1948 Chevy Aerosedan GONE! I think. 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Coupe WANTED 1967 IMPALA 1967 CST C10 Long Bed with a 283

05-11-2003, 01:16 AM	#12
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	Its time for me to preach. Flush out your cowls and other crap collecting areas regularly! Take a garden hose and run water in these areas until it flows nicely. The areas include doors, front fenders and the cowl, they all have little slits in the bottom of them that are supposed to be drains. Keep the drains clear! Do this at least yearly!!!!!! Also while your at it flush out any other areas on the truck that crap could collect. Only you can stop rust! :p Ok Im done :p

05-11-2003, 01:31 AM	#13
yellowgmc Getting cabin fever?!?!?! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: chisholm, mn Posts: 1,679	actually the cowl is the one area on my truck that hasn't given me any trouble. it's very clean and no rust. __________________ Member of the Discs Up Front Club 1972 GMC 1500 1994 F-150 XL 4x4 Tact is for people not whitty enough to be sarcastic

05-11-2003, 02:58 AM	#14
73stepside Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moore OK 73160 Posts: 974	mine had a thin layer of caked on dust. not much in there. __________________ 04 GMC Sierra RCSS 70 CST LWB 04 HD Sportster 1200 Custom

05-11-2003, 12:20 PM	#15
BIG ORANGE Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lancaster S.C. Posts: 4,779	I just got 2 cowl trash covers from LMC for 24.95 well worth it! __________________ Things happen for a reason!

05-11-2003, 12:51 PM	#16
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	Both of my trucks had a big glob of sealer on the drivers side inside the cowl. It looks to me as though the person responsible for putting the sealer on the cab joints had a habit of setting the sealer gun down after this process and the tip of the device had a little sealer left on it which made it way onto the metal inside the cowl. not sure if this was particular to an assembly plant or whether on not it was a universal thing. Maybe we should run a poll to see who has this and where their truck was manufactured. Have fun __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

05-11-2003, 05:17 PM	#17
Dads72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 427	While the cowl is off, check out your antennae (sp?) and wiper motor.



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05-11-2003, 06:16 PM	#18
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	The wiper motor is on the inside of the cab.

05-11-2003, 06:33 PM	#19
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Not in a cowl BUT I bought a '71 fender from a local bone-yard & it had a big filliting knife down inside it. I'll get a pic of it one day... __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

05-11-2003, 07:36 PM	#20
Dads72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 427	Thanks Gee_Emm My wiper motor is shot, and I was told the cowl had to come off to replace it. Did you save me some grief? Don't want to remove the cowl if I don't have to.

05-11-2003, 08:07 PM	#21
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	Well the linkage is on the outside and is attached to the shaft of the wiper motor but the entire motor is behind the dash and comes out that way.

05-11-2003, 08:31 PM	#22
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	I believe LMC has the screens............ Don't know if I'd want to reach in there.......too many rats nest........... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

05-11-2003, 10:34 PM	#23
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	My insurance says my truck has to stay in a locked garage, so I don't have to worry about keeping the drains open - I wish the PO had! lol Had some professional pics taken today, I'll try to show off when I get them. Mine doesn't compare to some on this board. Scott __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

05-12-2003, 03:30 AM	#25
Linus0014 Guest Posts: n/a	I had two dead rats in my cowl area. How nice it was to see this! They make two kinds of Cowl Trash guards: Stainless steel and painted black.

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