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71 A Pillars and Complete Cowl Replacement

Kawickrice

Well-Known Member
I just recieved my left and right A pillars and upper and lower Cowl as a one piece unit.
Whats the best method of attack for this project? I would assume that the front of the roof would need bracing somehow to keep it from dropping.
Because of the way the A pillars meet the cowl it seems both A pillars would have to be removed to release the cowl.
Am i thinking right on this or is it possible to do one side at a time?
 
Best way I've always replaced large areas that tie into other areas (rear quarters, floors, ect) is to weld steel braces in place before you cut anything. This way you keep everything in it's exact position as when it was built and adjust the new parts to fit.

Rule of thumb: Brace, Brace, Brace, and then when you've braced everything triple check it for rigidity of the bracing. Always support the bracing to make sure that it doesn't move or shift.

Edit: make sure you have cross bracing as it offers the best rigidity.
 
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I’ve not done that job. However, I would get the new parts out and start to visualize how they come apart and what you are left to work with when it goes back together. Don’t expect to remove large assemblies. Remove the bulk and then remove all the intersections of metals piece by piece. I would think that you can mock it up entirely in place before any welding is done. I’d get a package of metal clamps and perhaps some Clecos. Someone like Tom Rightler (BlueSS454) has extensive panel replacing experience. Perhaps he will chime in.

The cowl is such a huge part of the body alignment, I’d want to make sure that you have good measurements taken before the tear down. That said, you are bounded by the rocker panels and A pillars. Just make sure it’s square when you start and check it again before it gets rigid.
 
Thanks for the replies.
Hopefully it will be a straight forward project. Measuring and bracing before cutting makes sense.
This will be the most complicated task of the project and I don't want to make it harder than it needs to be.
 
If you have questions, post pics before you do stuff and we can help, and I'm only an hour away if need be.
 
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