dallasite21

Ok... so I dook my dash off to do some sanding and cleaning, and discovered that I had a major problem. The metal compartment just below he basch is rusted out where it connects the bottom of the windshield cowl.. This sucks as I do not have the money to deal with this right now, but I need to do something as economically as possible. I need some opinions on what you guys think may be the best thing to do? here are my thoughts

1. Have new metal fabricated and welded to attach the bottom of the windshield cowl, as well as a piec for the windshield cowl itself.

2. Find a parts car or someone willing to cut the whols section out and have someone weld the whole section back in.

My thought are that it may be cheaper to fine the metal from an existing car than to pay for fabrication.. plus the weld should be easier.

I have attached pics... What do you guys think is the best route?

Oldsmaniac

Yeah that does suck but is not uncommon and is typical. Welding is the best and only proper fix and the windshield should come out too as there prob is more there. Main thing now is to keep the water out any way possible till the correct fix can be made.

dc2x4drvr

Either way, you'll need an a good bodyman for the repair, PM me if you need a recommendation in the Dallas area..

Lady72nRob71

Several guys have repaired this themselves recently. At most times they got sections cut from donor cars. How are you at welding?

dallasite21

I have never welded, but if I can find the parts I would fund somebody to do it and just pay.. any suggestions on where to start looking for parts?

69goatpgh

Desert Valley Auto Parts www.dvap.com is a good place to start. They are located near Phoenix so the metal has little to no rust. They currently have (17) '71 cutlass parts cars listed on their website. A complete cowl section for my '68 442 convertible cost $300.00 plus shipping.
Eric

joe_padavano

There is now a repro panel for the channel at the base of the windshield for the 1968-72 A-body cars. I don't know if it will be wide enough, but it does cover the parts that are hard to form by hand.

dallasite21

Thanks for the info guys.. I sent a parts request to DVAP, got a PM about some potential metal, and the tip on the repro panel. As far as the Repro panel, do you know who sells it?

dallasite21

Sorry guys.. I found it.

joe_padavano

If by "found it" you were referring to the patch panel, all of the commercially available patch panels are stamped at one or two Chinese factories. Everyone sells the same parts. Shop around for the best price. Here's one source that I've used, but many vendors sell the same thing:

http://www.autobodyspecialt.com/cgi-...&key=CH-M1424B

dallasite21

Thanks Joe, so far that is the leader in the clubhouse.

Alex72cutty

Wow!! I'm having the same problem but its my lower cowl section under the window. I have not even took apart the dash yet... I also will be needing the top window frame, would anyone know somewhere in the Dallas area or heck anywhere

charlieb son

i meed help starting or finding out what happen to my 71 cutless supreme

Ancient Iron

How is the top of the dash where it meets the cowl (what you see through the windshield)???

jahlyfe'scutty

wow im not the only one stuck on this same problem.right now im tryin to find the top cowl panel up to the dash but i read the other stats n i will be in contact with dvap....thnks