28-9 Coupe Cowl Panels - What's involved?

tmiller6

tmiller6

Senior Member
We're sizing up my kid's 28 Sport Coupe. I have to rivet in a new subrail extension by the front floorboard and at the same time I am noticing one cowl side has extensive rust ranging from perforations to missing metal.

So my question is Which way is better? Full cowl panel replacement or a patch panel for the bottom six inches? I see Howells has full cowl sides and I am wondering if I am looking a deceptively complex job.
Any thoughts from the pros?

Thanks,
Tom Miller
 
I should add that mine were full of bullet holes and I welded in place. If I was to do it again I think finding some nice originals would be the way to go.
 
I used the "good" repro patch panels for S/W sedan. The rust had just started to perforate the panels at the top edge of the molding (about an inch from the bottom).
The patch job took a while to do, but it came out very nice, and that area will not give any trouble for another 50 years, I hope.

This page has several photos of the job (as well as some other patch panels I did):

http://www.dougbraun.com/model_a_gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=4655

Doug
 
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Stay away from Howells. Get what you need from one of the suppliers, that way if you have any problems there will be someone to help.
 
I agree with all of the above, stay away from Howells. Try to use original panels if you can. I just got done installing some aftermarket full panels on my 29 tudor and the fit was awful.
 
Thanks All,

I just got off the phone and now have a "rust free original with one small dent" cowl panel on its way to my home. After looking at the photos of the practically bare metal piece, I just had to ask if he had any in Niagara Blue. I neglected to mention most of the car is currently in gray primer. He took my comment in stride.

Regards,
Tom
 
I agree - stay away for Howell's Sheetmetal. I have receive a couple of sheetmetal parts that I wont use because the fit is so poor. I have patched 3 rusted out cowl sections, I just cut a patch the is needed to get rid of the rusted out area. The rust out is usually where the triangular gussets are located on the door post side. If you wedge a copper plate behind the seems that needs to be welded, it really helps when you weld the patch in. I think is works better that way without any riveting involved.
 
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