HEY! have you seen some of the stuff I've done? I'm a half-fast body man.
Securing the cowl piece might not be a bad idea. I think that's worth a try. Maybe use one of the fender bolt holes and tie that to somewhere on the frame up front, although I think the cowl and inner-to-outer cowl piece are pretty stout if he's welded them in securely.
Cutting stuff out and then trying to get it back in would be a lot of work, and like I said, pulling it back the way it went in would probably be best and he doesn't have anything to lose by trying it.
