Will your cowl make you howl...?

[keith1562]

    My 72 Mach 1 is surprisingly rust free. It doesn't appear to have the typical rust common to the model. The floors aren't rusty, the lower doors are good, so are the lower quarters, fenders & trunk. It does, however have a rusty strip along the forward edge of the underside of the hood. The functional Ram-Air chrome hood latch, hood at that (it was pirated from a parts car, apparently, as my car is a Q-code). At least it's on the underside. When I discovered it I instantly smucked over the area with POR-15. Now I have a shiny black area, that appears to have been hastily applied with a chip brush (because it was)! But at least it's not rusting through. Back in the day, I had a 72 Sprint sports-roof that was virtually cherry, except for the tail-light panel that was rusty. Go figure. My concern now is with the inner cowl vents. I know that earlier Mustangs, Cougars, & Falcons had a major issue with rust inside the cowl. I also have seen video detailing the replacement of the inner vent "Cups". It involved drilling out 200 or so spot welds. I've heard it told that the main cause of this issue was the lack of any real rust inhibitor (primer) on the inner pieces. The cars were made to last 5 -8 years not 50 (kinda like me, LOL)! Is this a big issue on 72's? What is the best (least invasive) way to view the inner cowl to look for rust, or hopefully a lack of rust? I look forward to any and all input, positive, negative, or just plain mean spirited!

Your Friend,

Keith1562

P.S. To those whom it may concern, I under went a implanted pain pump revision surgery early this morning. The previously installed pump failed after I took a hard fall (A header down 6 steps) doh ! For the last 3 months I've had to rely on oral pain meds., which I loath. I feel better already!

[Steven Harris]

Hey Keith,

First - glad to hear your surgery went well and that you "feel better already". That's great. Now just try to keep from falling down flights of stairs. :/

Cowl rust is a major problem for all Fords or our era. It has to do with the fact that the metal was left bare (or nearly so) and that leaves and debris can easily block it's exit causing it to stay wet. And yes, it is a big job to replace.

I am currently working on my son's 1971 Maverick (an Arizona car) and thankfully the cowl is still solid. I stripped the car down which made access easier but then I used rust bullet (similar to POR 15) and coated the cowl with it. I took a sponge on a wire and made many passes in the hope of doing what the factory should have done.

The 71-73 Mach 1's have access which makes them easier to inspect and coat for preventive protection. Most of the cowl area can be seen with a good flashlight and the use of a mirror. If you have access to a video "snake" then that would be quite the ticket for such a job.

A rusted cowl then leads to rusted floor boards, etc. All the best in your discoveries.

[Mach1FatherFigure]

Welcome; Glad you are on the mend - so you fell due to AIDS? That's Alcohol Induced Dizzy Spells
Thanks for mentioning the cowl rust problem. I will have to check her '70.

[Mustangmike]

Glad to hear you are feeling better and hopefully more so than most of the old Mustang cowls out there.

I think Steve hit the nail on the head for visually inspecting the condition of your cowl. I know the older 65-70 Mustangs you need to get up there under the dash and look around the fresh air vents for signs of rust. Second, as Steve also mentioned, inspect the floor pan just in front of the toe boards for rust. This is usually the area where water of a rusted cowl gathers.

Finally, you can also run water through your cowl and then go up under your dash to seek out any leaks.

Cowl work is a big job no matter how you slice it. And I must add, under the dash work is never good on the back since you need to be a contortionist to get up under there!

[Steven Harris]

Finally, you can also run water through your cowl and then go up under your dash to seek out any leaks.

Thanks Mike,

I left out the most basic, simplest way to check the cowl! Good thing I am not alone here.

"Of all the things I have lost, I miss my mind the most."

[keith1562]

Welcome; Glad you are on the mend - so you fell due to AIDS? That's Alcohol Induced Dizzy Spells
Thanks for mentioning the cowl rust problem. I will have to check her '70.

It's amazing what a little scotch will do to your balance! Yeah AIDS was part of the issue, that and wet feet straight from the shower & hardwood floors. (I think my wife may have pushed me LOL!) or maybe I tripped over the cat. Anyway no worse for the wear! Gettin' old isn't for sissies!!

---

Glad to hear you are feeling better and hopefully more so than most of the old Mustang cowls out there.

I think Steve hit the nail on the head for visually inspecting the condition of your cowl. I know the older 65-70 Mustangs you need to get up there under the dash and look around the fresh air vents for signs of rust. Second, as Steve also mentioned, inspect the floor pan just in front of the toe boards for rust. This is usually the area where water of a rusted cowl gathers.

Finally, you can also run water through your cowl and then go up under your dash to seek out any leaks.

Cowl work is a big job no matter how you slice it. And I must add, under the dash work is never good on the back since you need to be a contortionist to get up under there!

That's a great idea! It never fails, when in doubt someone on this site has a simple but brilliant idea!
Thanks for the wisdom!!
Keith

[mrmach1]

Your so right on so many levels and it's to bad Ford didn't spend a few extra squirts of paint and a couple of extra seconds when painting these cars back in the day. None of this would be necessary. I saw the other day that CJ Pony Parts are now selling complete cowl replacement panels and they look pretty nice. Still it's going to be a lot of work but if I were taking this on I'd start with a call to them.