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1968 B Body upper cowl removal #2434026
01/13/18 06:54 PM
01/13/18 06:54 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 367
Akron, Ohio
VegasCharger Offline OP
enthusiast
VegasCharger  Offline OP
enthusiast

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 367
Akron, Ohio
Hello, I'm removing an upper cowl panel off of a 1968 B Body. This is my first attempt removing any cowl panel. My question is, on the window channel corner areas what's the best method for separating the upper cowl panel in these areas? I know that the factory used lead as filler. I want to save all surrounding metal panels. Below are some pics of what I'm working on.

Thanks in advance. beer





Re: 1968 B Body upper cowl removal [Re: VegasCharger] #2434089
01/13/18 08:48 PM
01/13/18 08:48 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 953
Chicago
PurpleBeeper Offline
super stock
PurpleBeeper  Offline
super stock

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 953
Chicago
I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT JOB.... just saying, but if you're SURE it's lead, then "maybe" you could melt it out with a propane torch & not warp the metal? I would be afraid to use any torch hotter than that.

Lead melts at 612 F
Steel (s) melt at 1400+ F, but I bet a panel will warp at a lower temp


70 Roadrunner convt. street car 440+6, NOS, 4-spd, SS springs '96 Mustang GT convt. street car '04 4.6 SOHC, NOS, auto, lowered "Officer, that button is for short on-ramps"
Re: 1968 B Body upper cowl removal [Re: VegasCharger] #2434095
01/13/18 08:55 PM
01/13/18 08:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
B
bboogieart Offline
master
bboogieart  Offline
master
B

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
I would think a hardware store bottle of propane would melt that lead easy enough, if you don't have an oxy/acetylene set-up.
Wear a mask/respirator, as lead is nasty stuff.
As with anything take your time and do a little at a time.


I own a 68 B-body and would appreciate updates to this process.

Good Luck! up


I have mechanical Aptitude.
I can screw up anything.
Re: 1968 B Body upper cowl removal [Re: VegasCharger] #2434157
01/13/18 11:10 PM
01/13/18 11:10 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,828
Ontario, Canada
S
Stanton Offline
Don't question me!
Stanton  Offline
Don't question me!
S

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,828
Ontario, Canada
From someone whose done this and made a huge mistake ...

Take pictures before you start to get an idea of the original lines - there is a LOT of lead in there - particularly on the sides.
Melt all the lead out using a propane torch and a small wire brush (the small ones that are usually sold in 3-packs). Don't worry about the paint ... the torch will take care of that. Get ALL the lead out - that's what the brush is for. Once all the lead is gone you can drill out all the spot welds - there are a lot !! Now here's where I screwed up ... The cowl is welded near the A-pillars. leave those welds intact and cut the cowl off about an inch from where the stock cowl ends. The reason is because the aftermarket cowls are short in this area.

IMG_1640a.jpg
Re: 1968 B Body upper cowl removal [Re: VegasCharger] #2434160
01/13/18 11:12 PM
01/13/18 11:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,828
Ontario, Canada
S
Stanton Offline
Don't question me!
Stanton  Offline
Don't question me!
S

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,828
Ontario, Canada
Quote:
Wear a mask/respirator, as lead is nasty stuff.


This is only an issue if you're grinding the stuff. Melting it is not an issue.

Re: 1968 B Body upper cowl removal [Re: VegasCharger] #2434219
01/14/18 01:28 AM
01/14/18 01:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,882
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
I Win
stumpy  Offline
I Win

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,882
Grand Prairie,Texas
Not necessarily. Burning paint and melting lead do put off fumes that aren't lung friendly.

Re: 1968 B Body upper cowl removal [Re: VegasCharger] #2434349
01/14/18 12:22 PM
01/14/18 12:22 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,828
Ontario, Canada
S
Stanton Offline
Don't question me!
Stanton  Offline
Don't question me!
S

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,828
Ontario, Canada
Quote:
Not necessarily. Burning paint and melting lead do put off fumes that aren't lung friendly.


Well I suppose if you toke the stuff regularly it'll eventually kill you, so yeah, you're right.







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