The bottom of the cowl side panel... the hole at the bottom. What is the purpose of this hole? If it is for drainage, can't we make that lower cowl area water tight? Front of side sill, just behind floor brace. That single hole. What is the purpose of that single hole (on both sides)? What are the ramifications if I weld it shut? Thanks
Agree with Skooter, water can get in there and have no place to go..both sides.
Ron - - Dusty53 1954 Chevy 3604 In the Gallery Forum "You can't dance with the Devil and then wonder why you're still in Hell." "They will forget what you've said, and they will forget what you have done but they will never forget the way you made them feel."
Just the kind of guidance I needed... the holes at the bottom of each outside, side cowl stay open, now how about that other hole that is on the side sill, just behind the floor brace, on both sides? Thanks
I didn't have a hole in the rocker panel, either original or replacements. If the hole lines up with the hinge pillar, it might have been put there for welding purposes (like plug welding.)
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Is there any such drainage considerations for the rear cab corners? Thanks
Yes , there are exit slots on the bottom of each cab corner. If you need photo's, let me know.
Last edited by Dusty53; 07/03/20236:11 PM.
Ron - - Dusty53 1954 Chevy 3604 In the Gallery Forum "You can't dance with the Devil and then wonder why you're still in Hell." "They will forget what you've said, and they will forget what you have done but they will never forget the way you made them feel."
Is there any such drainage considerations for the rear cab corners? Thanks
Yes , there are exit slots on the bottom of each cab corner. If you need photo's, let me know.
Those lower-rear cab-corners are often rotted-out --- it was common for mice to make nests there - the holes got clogged with mouse nests and mice urinate where they sleep.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Gentlemen... I could use a picture of the cab corner slots... just put some new ones in and "they ain't had no slots"... I am happy to try to duplicate what is supposed to be there. Thanks
Here you go. Small hole toward the front end. I don't have a pic of the original cab corner, but I recall that it was a small louver shaped hole in the same relative position. The opening was aimed toward the back of the truck.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Those slots are useful for draining any water out, but, they really plug up easily. I think regularly making sure dirt and debris doesn’t collect there would contribute to longevity. Its when debris and urine and water sit in there that the rust out happens.
~Charley 1954 Chevy 3100 with 235 261 project engine “Ole Blackie” Follow along in the DITY 1963 Chevy half ton stepside short box 230 1954 GMC 3 ton 302 And several more Chevy camper and work trucks 1979 1987 1996 1931 Packard car, 327 i 8 auto
I am thinking I might try something like what you find at the bottom of an air compressor... something that I can twist open and "let the water out" and then close it back up with a twist of the wrist... does that resonate with anyone?
and as always Kevin... thanks for the picture... any chance of getting you down to Raleigh, NC to finish doing my cab welding right? Love the consistency and the pentation evidence. I am going to try harder to duplicate.
The drain slot in the cab corners is pretty much a groove cut through and then an "eyelid" opened up to allow drainage. The opening faces rearward. Here is a picture of one on my cab but you can see it has been partially closed by sitting the cab on the ground. Hope this helps make sense of it. Somewhere, there is a factory book that explains the cab ventilation design that shows it better.
Pat, except for 3 or 4 tacks by the drain hole, those were done with a spot welder. Unfortunately probably not much chance of me getting to NC to help out. But by the time you're done with your truck, you'll be an expert at welding. Greg's pic show what I was trying to describe for the drain holes. The repop parts manufacturers thought it was easier to drill a hole rather than stamp a louvered slot in that piece. I actually thought about welding a small "hood" over the hole to prevent debris/water from getting thrown in there going down the road. It's too late now, as the cab is in primer and sitting about 4" off the floor currently. I might think about gluing something over those holes for that purpose.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
While one is going down the road, airflow will be going out of those drain holes, since they are exhaust ports for "The Cab That Breathes." Unfortunately, any debris drug in from your feet and whatnot will eventually end up collecting in those exhaust port slots. I wouldn't expect debris to enter into the cab from the drain holes.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
