eeyore, thanks for bring that to attention.
seems every time i though i had it going , something odd happened.
i've got a '29 cowl and it's '29 frame. and the wood didn't fit in the cowl. wood's too thick.
turns out this body style. murray wood body didn't have a full length block.
just the front bolted through the block.
the rear in this style is intercepted by the wood floor .
your's looks like you might have the apron, block, and maybe body the same.
stated above, "made room for the slant windshield"
i was think you should have briggs cowl. but what do i know.
apples to apples.
sounds like you've got a swapped frame.
break out the board stretcher.
and does the cowl fit the frame the same as the block fits the frame ?
i'd use that block as a reference and cut a new one. or have a carpenter make one to fit the cowl. some couture to that block.
shouldn't you tread that block with something before installing ?
i varnished mine, then primed and painted it a few times.
wood absorbs moisture and inhibits rust to steel. seal it.