Neither did I.....it's amazing how bad these can be compared to the rest of the car. I wish I had photo's b/c mine was just as bad as your's is! The only thing I would do different if I had it to do over again is I would have put the bare windsheild against the lip once before I started to see how close the factory fit was first. I have heard that they weren't perfect, but as I stated earlier mine was off by about 1/4" in one corner but the sealer leveled things out OK. You have a MIG so if you are as determined as I was to fix it I'm sure you can do it. It becomes easier as you go along. :beer
If a Hardtop dash/cowl is the same, I am parting out a 68 Ht, with the windshield out , the bottom of the channel looks fairly solid . I can send a picture of areas if interested. I would have topay someone to plasma cut out. The top of the roof channel is about the same as yours. The side post seem to be fairly solid. I can send pictures in a couple of days, if interested. Car is located in Rockford Ill. Jim Schilf palbuick
Dan, I'm in the process of putting a donor cowl into a '69 GS convertible. I got the donor piece from painekiller on the board here. Thankfully I only needed to do the bottom, the top of the windshield area was OK. As Alan said we cut ours in the middle of the dash behind the pad and it spliced in nicely. I don't think anyone would ever know it's been worked on without removing the dash pad.
I'm pretty sure you can use a hardtop dash in your convert,i'm going through the same thing on my 72 GS hardtop. I'm actually using a 68 skylark for my cowl section. If you contact - palbuick- on v8 he is parting out a 68 skylark he might have some good metal for you. chris
Uh... I wouldn't bet on the hardtop and convertible having the same windsheild. The convertible is typically shorter, I know for a fact it is on my '70, and I would be shocked if the '68 to '72 didn't use the same windsheild
68-72 COnverts, all GM A_body, use the same WindShield, which is different than hardtop glass. (Hint - if your Stainless outside convert. pillar covers are nasty, ANY GM - A-body, 68-72, ones will fit as they are the same. Also, since they are stainless, now is the time to send them out and have them professionally polished :Brow: I dod all my windshield trim and it came out increadible) That being said, I know for a fact that my body shop used a 69 Hard top cowl to fix my 69 GS Conv. I know, because I was there when the cowl was cut out of the donor and I dragged it home. Now, My pillars were fine. I know he only used the flat horizontal piece and I dont think he had to perform any specific magic to make it work, but I didn't do the work. I will try and contact him and advise......
Man, if feel sick. The last two cars I parted out were rust-free in these areas. I guess I'll have to cut that stuff out and start saving it for others. I did sell the back window section out of one car to someone. So not all was lost to the crusher.
FOr reference, this is the area, Just this top piece, that was replaced on my car. The line along the dash pad is where the splice/weld is hidden.
That's really the best way to do it if you can find a good one. I couldn't. It's a shame they don't just repo those........it sure would make things a whole lot easier. :Brow:
I hate to drag this 'ole thread up to the top. I was curious if Dan (Murphy) began work on the cowl area, and if so, how he was making out. We are stuck in the same situation: the entire ( yes, TED, ENTIRE) bottom of the windshield/ top of the cowl is rotted out. We are left with the decision to fix it or sell the car/ part it out (69 convertible). We have the time, but like everyone has said, is it worth the effort?
George, I haven't done anything with it yet. I've been trying to get the parts to fix it, but have not yet found 1 that will fix the problem area. I still have a few left to check with, to see if they can help. If not, I'll be rebuilding it myself while on vacation later this month. I know it will take much time, but I think it's worth it for me. I'll keep you posted on how I make out with it. Thanks, Dan :3gears:
....ask and yee shall receive Not sure how good this one is (I see alittle rust where it counts - maybe its just surface rust ?? ), but this is EXACTLY what I cut out of the donor car I used and delivered to my Body guy. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4546994380&category=34204
You mean it's not just mine? My '65 Skylark looks like Dan's around the windshield and I don't want to get rid of it (heavy sentimental value). I'd rather piece it together one small bit at a time since I can't afford to replace entire sections. I'd really like to hear more about this process and if anyone else has tried it this way. I wouldn't mind a jigsaw-puzzle approach. Oh yeah... For anyone who's interested in this idea... I had originally pulled the windshield because it was severely cracked. I gift-wrapped the entire thing in duct-tape for two purposes. The first purpose was to maintain the shape so I could use it as a guide when browsing for a replacement windshield. The second purpose was to keep it from shattering as I carried it around. Ahhhh Duct-tape... How sweet art thouh. :TU:
Dan, I might be able to help you. The only thing is the car is a 68/69 4 door. Will that work? I would have to check the car out again and see the condition and how much he would want. I will be going next week. I guess they would have to cut it out. Does it have to be the whole section show in the eBay auction? Do you know how much you want to spend? I know thats a dumb question!!!! Bob
First of all will a 4 door cowl work????? If it will and it is good. I will have to get the part right away. This yard is not close enough for me to go back and forth. Also, I would have to put the money out for the part and maybe some gas money on top of that. I don't have the room to store it. So it would have to quick deal. Bob
Well, I don't suppose this is what you're after? It's just the top skin and A-pillars removed surgically from the rest of the cowl.It's from a 71 Lemans, but should fit any A-body from 68 to 72. Have anything to trade? :Brow: Pm me if you're interested, or- fredvolz2003@juno.com P.S.- Sabbath starts at sunset tonight, so I won't be able to get back to you until after sunset tomorrow, about 8:30 CDT.
I may regret this, but I guess I'll pass on that 1 Oklahoma. My brother told me this past weekend that his friend has 1 for me. they just need to get the time to trim it out. I hope he's right, as I have not seen it yet. Just going by his friends word on this 1 o No: I won't be happy if it turns out to be just like mine when thye get to it. Dan
