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When rain water enters from the top, it drains toward and around the cowls on each side. The part that isn't clear, is where the drain hole is so water can escape. I assume the drain hole must be where the water reaches the other side of the cowl and run down the side to drip on the ground. Did Dodge make the original drain hole incredible small?

Water comes in through the grille work over the wiper arms and drains through the oval holes behind rubber covers at the back of and on top of the inner fenders. Its not uncommon for that cowl area to have rusted areas and water comes down inside of the firewall behind pedals/heater box etc..

Here is a pic. I circled the drain holes. They are supposed to be covered with a rubber flap I haven't put them on yet.

Some genius taped over mine, rusted out...

I leave mine open so any collected crud, and you'll be surprised by how much gets in there, can be flushed out every rain storm. Makes it easier to evict mice and wasps as well, spray Raid in the cowl and stand back...

I've always thought that Dodge should have put some type of smaller mesh screen behind
the cowl grille. Over the years, you can get a good build up of crud like leaves, pine needles,
bugs, twigs, etc.. They lay in this area and hold moisture....
John

Hobcobble wrote:I've always thought that Dodge should have put some type of smaller mesh screen behind
the cowl grille.

I have been planning on doing just that for my 70 D500 as it sits outside all the time. Keep the crap out.

Hobcobble wrote:I've always thought that Dodge should have put some type of smaller mesh screen behind
the cowl grille. Over the years, you can get a good build up of crud like leaves, pine needles,
bugs, twigs, etc.. They lay in this area and hold moisture....
John

I have screen in mine.

Yep. Me too. For my '68 W200, I used some eaves trough screen.
John

Some guy sprayed mine full of Tough Stuff foam when they rusted out.....I've been trying to dig it out but it looks like I might have to cut and patch it.
The vents are stuck tight. Looks like fun!

Guitarded wrote:Some guy sprayed mine full of Tough Stuff foam when they rusted out.....I've been trying to dig it out but it looks like I might have to cut and patch it.
The vents are stuck tight. Looks like fun!

Have you removed dash. It can be removed without windshield removal. That would make it a lot easier to deal with vents and hole repair. Just keep picking the crap out.

Yes sir,I just spent the whole day doing the passenger side....took the dash out and the wiper grill and was able to get most of it out so far.
The whole thing is rusted out pretty bad,I'm hoping somebody makes patch panels.If not it'll be fun trying to make them for both sides.
Thanks for your reply BTW.
James

Well, the whole contraption where the heater butts up is completely rotted away and the damper stuck to that foam and tore apart.
I haven't gotten to the driver side yet but I'm sure it'll be just as bad.
Have any of you run into this and if so, how and what did you do to fabricate it? Dimensions, material gauge, etc.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
James

Post a pic of this damage. I might have a cab that I can cut the parts u need from.

Thanks,I'll try....first I have to resize them....might be a while.

pm sent

Just spent Sunday evening cleaning out the drivers side of the cowl and rocker. Seems a family of mice have taken it over in the 21 year hibernation my truck had. Still need to do the passenger side. This is one of 3 buckets of crap I found in mine