The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop inner cowl panel with louvre

Just completed the metal removal/installation of the inner and outer cowl panels for passenger side of the cab. Now working on the driver side I'm wondering if anyone has taken a piece of sheet metal and cut/pressed louvre for the inner cowl panel. I found the new panel for the passenger side took a lot of work to fit as it didn't fit as well. The driver side is not as wasted and could reuse the section with the louvre and slot for the outer vent. The new panel for the driver side doesn't have louvres, thought I could use it and just drill some holes to let the air in when opening the vent, any thoughts? thanks.

I think you may have bought the wrong panel, when I replaced mine the1947-50 replacement panel came with the louvers? Could you have ordered a 1951-54 version? Most of the cowl replacement pieces require extensive fitting work so that is not unusual. You can perhaps get louvres pressed at a rod shop but I doubt they will match the originals.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129131488/in/set-72157631867396207

If the louver section is good, there are panels available out there that are for replacing the lower half of the inner cowl and they are made as the original at the bottom. They fit!!! They are painted black EDP. The full sized ones (grey primer) are not even close to fitting at the bottom. The black lower half panels are available at ClassicParts.com, search for inner cowl under the 47-54 section. When I need to replace a full panel, I buy the full sized one, and the half panel and cut off the lower portion of the full panel, then weld the two panels together. I am accepting free beers from anyone who will benefit from this tip. If someone had offered me this tip prior to fighting with the first poorly fitting full panel which I worked on, (very likely subtracting a few years from the end of my life), I would have personally delivered cases of beer to that person.

Thanks for the feedback, yes indeed I did have the incorrect panel, through a local supplier I was able to exchange for the correct one with the louvres, seems they had some tucked away out of view, good thing a computer tracked them down. Interesting point about the lower section being available, that would be a good alternative, I'll buy the next round...cheers

check out Woody Vondrachek's web page, has alot ot usefull photos on cab sheetmetal work 47-53 AD

I just saw that you are from Canada. Us Yanks have trouble holding your strong beer. I'll just have to drink slower. Take a look at the bottom of your new louvered panels. If the radius is a simple roll as apposed to an angled roll, you may want to order the half panel and either weld the correctly manufactured part to the bottom of your new louvered panel, or use it as a reference to modify your new panel. Without having a good reference to go off of, you might become frustrated, angry or depressed and drink up all the Molsons that you offered me.
Carl

I did the passenger side already which did include some frustration but I'm keeping the anger and frustration for another opportunity. You are right about the radius, I did some reshaping along with adding some metal to close the gap so now I'm in fine form to tackle the drivers side. Regarding the beer we need the extra content to keep us warm during those cold winter nights. Some do get a chance to enjoy the southern winter weather but I opt to spend the money on 'Blanche', she's a good ole girl that needs lots of TLC. cheers...Glenn

I tried to find the pictures mentioned on Woody's web page but couldn't find it, could someone send the link to it. He has a facebook page but took large amounts of time scrolling and couldn't find anything on the subject...thanks

How long do the louvers have to be?

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2514625&postcount=60

Here's the louvers on 18ga steel...

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showpost.php?p=113050&postcount=386