Shaved Cowl... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 12-19-2004, 08:03 PM

Started shaveing my cowl today nice and slow should have it finish welded by late today...

slogo · 12-19-2004, 08:13 PM

That's gonna look nice, ive done a few of those. welding those up is a slo-go for sure.

Rollie396 · 12-19-2004, 08:39 PM

lookin real good!I was considering doin that as well.Are there any cons about this that I'm not considering?

Oh and make sure to show us the finished product!

67ChevyC10Stepside · 12-19-2004, 08:48 PM

you just taking a welder and slowly filling it?

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 12-19-2004, 09:05 PM

Yep I am just spot welding it in been a long day making sure not to warp it...

purple gas · 12-19-2004, 09:36 PM

Rollie, if you want to drive your truck in the winter in Lloyd I wouldn't weld up yer cowel, Unless you want to drive with your head out the window on cold days... I can elaborate, if you'd like.

67ChevyC10Stepside · 12-19-2004, 09:45 PM

can you elaborate for me please? i want to know what it does...

saulgoode · 12-19-2004, 09:58 PM

Here's the million dollar question, how did you reach the middle of the cowl with it still on the truck, or did you take it off. Someone said on the last colw shave thread that the cowl would warp if it was weled off the truck.

Saulgoode

purple gas · 12-19-2004, 10:01 PM

Well, If you drive in a cold climate,, Like Rollie in Alberta Canada, or me in Saskatoon, where there's snow & frigid outside temps, If Humidity builds up in the cab it will condense on your windows when it's cold. The way to get rid of the humid air, is to replace it with air from outside that is dry.( cold winter air can't carry much moisture: relative humidity thing) If you weld your cowel shut, and don't have some hidden invisible access for your heating/ defroggin system to get air form outside your cab, the inside air humidity will build up and condese on your windows. This humidity comes from your breath, and if it's snowy the melting snow that you track into your truck. Sure, you can roll yer window down, but where me & rolli live you don't want to have to do that for a good portion of the year. And it's nice to see where your going. That's why on newer vehicles with a re cycleing option for the heat/AC some peoples windows get all frosty and tehy go to the shop & get laughed at. The recycling of inside air warms up the car faster, but eventually you have to switch it back to outside air, or your driving a greenhouse with frosty glass.. If you live in Florida, or Texas this will make no sense to you at all. It's a winter thing. Hope this clears things up.

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 12-19-2004, 10:11 PM

Thats funny my blazer gets condensation on the inside windows and it has all new heater parts and duct work and does not have a shaved cowl??? Why does my blazer do it?? Please elaborate.

longnlow72 · 12-19-2004, 10:34 PM

you probably have a water leak

NO LONGER DISTURBED KONCEPTZ · 12-19-2004, 10:39 PM

Looks good man.

longnlow72 · 12-19-2004, 11:53 PM

is there anyway to still have the heater and defroster work with this shaved?

robertwb · 12-20-2004, 01:39 AM

you could probably make holes in the firewall or in the sides behind the fender(to replace the filled cowl holes) that feed into the air plenum

personally I use that cowl/floor vent system and wouldn't think of removing it-it's my A/C

Rollie396 · 12-20-2004, 09:27 AM

thanks for the reply purplegas,I knew the cowl was the source of outside air but I never considered the defrost angle.Maybe a guy should modify the cowl opening instead of completely shavin it.Maybe a bowtie shaped opening with a screen of some sort behind it instead of the posts.Hmmmmm.

How ya make out FRENCHBLUE72?Lookin forward to seein it done!

purple gas · 12-20-2004, 06:51 PM

If you lived in a more hospitable climate than us Frost Bitten Canadian boys a person could probly get away with closing up the cowel. It sure looks cool. Don't get me wrong, I like the look of a closed cowel. It's just even new the defrosters in these trucks ain't the best, and if your driving it year round someplace cold, it's nice to be able to see out the windows. If you were runnin a cowel induction hood a vent space might be fashioned that was inconspicuous with the hood closed. I personally worry about sucking air from the engine compartment due to Fumes & stuff. Rear facing louvers on the cowel might look cool too. Ah to live in a place where the heater in yer truck isn't required to keep you from freezin to death. You American guys,, you got so lucky with the weather.. Too bad about your beer.

**raggedjim** · 12-20-2004, 07:05 PM

Did you cut out the old holes and fit in replacement metal or weld over the top? I've seen these done before, but always in a way I didn't like (fill'er with mud and start sculpting...)

Rg

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 12-20-2004, 08:11 PM

I am still not done but slowly working on it this is not a job for me as I am inpatient(sp) but as get closer to done I think it will be worth it.. Jim I cut out the vent slot's but left the screw hole and what not just incase hope fully when it's all said and done the vintage air will heat /defrost/ and a/c the cab...

longnlow72 · 12-20-2004, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

I am still not done but slowly working on it this is not a job for me as I am inpatient(sp) but as get closer to done I think it will be worth it.. Jim I cut out the vent slot's but left the screw hole and what not just incase hope fully when it's all said and done the vintage air will heat /defrost/ and a/c the cab...

how will it get air for this? doesnt it come through the cowl?

CraigS · 12-21-2004, 04:41 PM

He could cut some slots in the center of the cowl.

I think you filled the cowl, not shaved it.

68gmcdually · 12-21-2004, 06:25 PM

I was trying to talk my dad into letting me fill in my cowl on my truck, we where kind of worried about the heater problem but the truck should be in storage long before it gets that cold and before the salt hits. I still might do, depending on how yours turns out.

Bamm · 12-21-2004, 11:05 PM

What about taking a holesaw and drilling some 1" round holes where the cowl "jamb" is. You know kinda "under the hood" a little. There's probably a couple of inches of room to work with. You could put them across the front "lip/jamb" all the way through to the cowl and it looks to me like that would work.?.? Sounds good on paper? What do you guys think?...........Jerry

68w/sbc406 · 12-21-2004, 11:11 PM

that would work but then you would be getting engine air, might smell a little

saulgoode · 12-21-2004, 11:14 PM

@ Bamm24
I don't think you would want any air pulled into the cab that didn't come from a fresh air source. If the air wasn't forced into the cab I don't think it would make much of a diference either. I was thinking that if you had to have air you could rig up some small ram air type system, which would probably be more work than it was worth.

@F.B.72
I'm still wondering how you got to the middle of the cowl without taking it off.

ChevLoRay · 12-22-2004, 09:44 AM

I want to eliminate the cowl vent on my truck, too. So, seeing what you guys have done is good info. I know I need outside air to feed the heat/ac/defroster system, so my plan is to bring outside air into the plenum that normally comes through the vent. Doing that with flex hoses and sourcing it from the front of the vehicle should do the job. The rain that runs in to the cowl, and the trash that comes with it, rusts out the plenums above the kick panel vents. Lots of folks have mistakenly thought they had a leaking windshield, when it was just those vents.

12-19-2004, 08:03 PM	#1
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,590	Shaved Cowl... Started shaveing my cowl today nice and slow should have it finish welded by late today... Attached Images __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-19-2004, 08:39 PM	#3
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	lookin real good!I was considering doin that as well.Are there any cons about this that I'm not considering? Oh and make sure to show us the finished product! __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

12-19-2004, 08:48 PM	#4
67ChevyC10Stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Butler PA Posts: 3,034	you just taking a welder and slowly filling it? __________________ 67 c-10, 400 SB, TH350, 4.10 gears, Blazer tank,camaro tach, sidemarker fuel fill (soon) WTB: stepside parts, 67 front end parts, 67 small window cab. posi for 3.73 or 4.10 for 12 bolt and 10 bolt.

12-19-2004, 09:05 PM	#5
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,590	Yep I am just spot welding it in been a long day making sure not to warp it... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-19-2004, 09:45 PM	#7
67ChevyC10Stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Butler PA Posts: 3,034	can you elaborate for me please? i want to know what it does... __________________ 67 c-10, 400 SB, TH350, 4.10 gears, Blazer tank,camaro tach, sidemarker fuel fill (soon) WTB: stepside parts, 67 front end parts, 67 small window cab. posi for 3.73 or 4.10 for 12 bolt and 10 bolt.

12-19-2004, 08:13 PM	#2
slogo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Morristown,TN Posts: 482	That's gonna look nice, ive done a few of those. welding those up is a slo-go for sure.

12-19-2004, 09:36 PM	#6
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 684	Rollie, if you want to drive your truck in the winter in Lloyd I wouldn't weld up yer cowel, Unless you want to drive with your head out the window on cold days... I can elaborate, if you'd like.

12-19-2004, 09:58 PM	#8
saulgoode Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 388	Here's the million dollar question, how did you reach the middle of the cowl with it still on the truck, or did you take it off. Someone said on the last colw shave thread that the cowl would warp if it was weled off the truck. Saulgoode

12-19-2004, 10:01 PM	#9
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 684	Well, If you drive in a cold climate,, Like Rollie in Alberta Canada, or me in Saskatoon, where there's snow & frigid outside temps, If Humidity builds up in the cab it will condense on your windows when it's cold. The way to get rid of the humid air, is to replace it with air from outside that is dry.( cold winter air can't carry much moisture: relative humidity thing) If you weld your cowel shut, and don't have some hidden invisible access for your heating/ defroggin system to get air form outside your cab, the inside air humidity will build up and condese on your windows. This humidity comes from your breath, and if it's snowy the melting snow that you track into your truck. Sure, you can roll yer window down, but where me & rolli live you don't want to have to do that for a good portion of the year. And it's nice to see where your going. That's why on newer vehicles with a re cycleing option for the heat/AC some peoples windows get all frosty and tehy go to the shop & get laughed at. The recycling of inside air warms up the car faster, but eventually you have to switch it back to outside air, or your driving a greenhouse with frosty glass.. If you live in Florida, or Texas this will make no sense to you at all. It's a winter thing. Hope this clears things up.

12-19-2004, 10:11 PM	#10
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,590	Thats funny my blazer gets condensation on the inside windows and it has all new heater parts and duct work and does not have a shaved cowl??? Why does my blazer do it?? Please elaborate. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-19-2004, 10:34 PM	#11
longnlow72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: SW Washington Posts: 947	you probably have a water leak __________________ 72 Chevy lwb, cowl hood, shaved antenna, shaved bedrails, blazer tank, sidemarker fill, 1pc windows, flowmaster 40's, alpine deck, infinity 6x9's, infinity 4"ers, 2 jl audio 10w0's, grant wheel, keyless entry and alarm, more waiting to be done...

12-19-2004, 10:39 PM	#12
NO LONGER DISTURBED KONCEPTZ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 257	Looks good man.

12-19-2004, 11:53 PM	#13
longnlow72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: SW Washington Posts: 947	is there anyway to still have the heater and defroster work with this shaved? __________________ 72 Chevy lwb, cowl hood, shaved antenna, shaved bedrails, blazer tank, sidemarker fill, 1pc windows, flowmaster 40's, alpine deck, infinity 6x9's, infinity 4"ers, 2 jl audio 10w0's, grant wheel, keyless entry and alarm, more waiting to be done...

12-20-2004, 01:39 AM	#14
robertwb Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: brooksville-fla Posts: 77	you could probably make holes in the firewall or in the sides behind the fender(to replace the filled cowl holes) that feed into the air plenum personally I use that cowl/floor vent system and wouldn't think of removing it-it's my A/C __________________ 1972 LWB 4x4 1970 LWB 2wd 1971 chevelle 1972 datsun PL-521/nissan

12-20-2004, 09:27 AM	#15
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	thanks for the reply purplegas,I knew the cowl was the source of outside air but I never considered the defrost angle.Maybe a guy should modify the cowl opening instead of completely shavin it.Maybe a bowtie shaped opening with a screen of some sort behind it instead of the posts.Hmmmmm. How ya make out FRENCHBLUE72?Lookin forward to seein it done! __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics Last edited by Rollie396; 12-20-2004 at 09:33 AM.



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12-20-2004, 06:51 PM	#16
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 684	If you lived in a more hospitable climate than us Frost Bitten Canadian boys a person could probly get away with closing up the cowel. It sure looks cool. Don't get me wrong, I like the look of a closed cowel. It's just even new the defrosters in these trucks ain't the best, and if your driving it year round someplace cold, it's nice to be able to see out the windows. If you were runnin a cowel induction hood a vent space might be fashioned that was inconspicuous with the hood closed. I personally worry about sucking air from the engine compartment due to Fumes & stuff. Rear facing louvers on the cowel might look cool too. Ah to live in a place where the heater in yer truck isn't required to keep you from freezin to death. You American guys,, you got so lucky with the weather.. Too bad about your beer.

12-20-2004, 07:05 PM	#17
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,403	Did you cut out the old holes and fit in replacement metal or weld over the top? I've seen these done before, but always in a way I didn't like (fill'er with mud and start sculpting...) Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd

12-20-2004, 08:11 PM	#18
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,590	I am still not done but slowly working on it this is not a job for me as I am inpatient(sp) but as get closer to done I think it will be worth it.. Jim I cut out the vent slot's but left the screw hole and what not just incase hope fully when it's all said and done the vintage air will heat /defrost/ and a/c the cab... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-21-2004, 04:41 PM	#20
CraigS Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Gresham, OR, USA Posts: 106	He could cut some slots in the center of the cowl. I think you filled the cowl, not shaved it. __________________ 72 GMC K20, 454, TH350 00 GMC Yukon 66 Ford Bronco

12-21-2004, 06:25 PM	#21
68gmcdually Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fenelon Falls, ON Canada Posts: 1,455	I was trying to talk my dad into letting me fill in my cowl on my truck, we where kind of worried about the heater problem but the truck should be in storage long before it gets that cold and before the salt hits. I still might do, depending on how yours turns out. __________________ James Bellwood 1968 930 Extend-A-Cab Dually 5.7l, 5 speed,

12-21-2004, 11:05 PM	#22
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	What about taking a holesaw and drilling some 1" round holes where the cowl "jamb" is. You know kinda "under the hood" a little. There's probably a couple of inches of room to work with. You could put them across the front "lip/jamb" all the way through to the cowl and it looks to me like that would work.?.? Sounds good on paper? What do you guys think?...........Jerry __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

12-21-2004, 11:11 PM	#23
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	that would work but then you would be getting engine air, might smell a little __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

12-21-2004, 11:14 PM	#24
saulgoode Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 388	@ Bamm24 I don't think you would want any air pulled into the cab that didn't come from a fresh air source. If the air wasn't forced into the cab I don't think it would make much of a diference either. I was thinking that if you had to have air you could rig up some small ram air type system, which would probably be more work than it was worth. @F.B.72 I'm still wondering how you got to the middle of the cowl without taking it off.

12-22-2004, 09:44 AM	#25
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	I want to eliminate the cowl vent on my truck, too. So, seeing what you guys have done is good info. I know I need outside air to feed the heat/ac/defroster system, so my plan is to bring outside air into the plenum that normally comes through the vent. Doing that with flex hoses and sourcing it from the front of the vehicle should do the job. The rain that runs in to the cowl, and the trash that comes with it, rusts out the plenums above the kick panel vents. Lots of folks have mistakenly thought they had a leaking windshield, when it was just those vents. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

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