EvilRufusKay Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I saw someones site where they had mentioned that they welded up the drain outlets for the cowl. They are holes in the unibody under the upper rear of the fender. I was wondering what the benifit might be. I do not plan to drive my car in the rain but it may happen. Also what about washing it? It seems water wold get stuck in the tray of the cowl and not be able to escape. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia Flash Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I have seen someone's car on this site that welded up the three large holes directly under the cowl finisher but I can't remember who it belongs to or how they will ever get to the windshield wiper motor ever again. If you just weld over the drain holes you are looking for trouble in my opinion. You are right, unless you weld/cover the large cowl holes water would just settle in there until it condensated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Don't do it....just trust me on this...... This is what you mean, isn't it?: I would recommend against it!! That part is thin, difficult to sand, and warps EASILY!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 No Tim I love that look though. I thinks someone should make a fiberglass version that looks as good a syours. I am talking about the outlet. You can only see them with the fenders off. There is one on each side. They are approx 2.5" dia holes with rubber hose sticking out. It is the point at which water that has enterd the cowl escapes. The water would then run down the inside of the fender and escape thru the holes in the bottom of the fender. I think they are the reason the lower portion of my unibody, where the fenders bolt on was rotted out. Check out my website for some pics of the rot. I don't have any pics of the cowl drains though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I had that same fender rot.....but if you close those drains, then you will get rot under the cowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 That is what I was thinking. I was just wondering why anybody would close them up? I am going to see if I can find the post where the guy is saying he did it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I had the same though when I rebuilt mine last summer... I was thinking of welding them shut, but decided to keep them. I figured they are there for a reason, so I should leave them be.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 Tim, When you did your cowl, did you flatten out the edges on the backside caused by the punch process when it was made. Then weld in small pieces of metal? Or did you cut out the vents altogether and weld in larger pieces? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I left the cowl as is, and cut little 'coupons' of sheetmetal to fit and welded in....(this was for the wiper arm holes) For the vents, I cut out a square (around the vents) and welded in another piece (s) Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 It sounds like TIG welding would make it easier. I like the idea of no wipers but I would never get an inspection!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Easy solution.....2 cowls// Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 Brilliant!!! I should not have cut that other one up!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage-TechZ Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I'm a little late to post but, The SMOOTH look is different,I assume your not planning on using your FAN any longer ? Since the cowl vents are simply your fresh air intake to the cabin. If the DRAINAGE ROT is a concern,I addressed that problem years ago by routing a longer rubber hose of the same diameter and ran it through a "hole sawed" hole in the fender well splash pan ! It of course runs all the draied water and dead leaves to the ground , works great ! Disregard if this isn't what your after ! .....Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 What is the fender well splash pan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage-TechZ Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 The fender well spash pan (at least on the S30 ) is a metal inner fender well guard that seperates the tire splash from entering the hinges to your door.The same guard may be plastic on the 260/280 Z.The later cars had a removable liner whereas the early metal ones were spot welded. I'm sure there are more words to describe the part ,but I just call them "splash guards". Hope that draws the picture ..............Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 Are you talking about the area to the right of my hand in these pics? I wonder if mine was plastic and had been removed because with the fender off the hinges are completely accessible. Here is a wide shot Second pic down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage-TechZ Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 From the looks of your pix,I'd say that YES,your fenderwell gaurd was GONE. Viewing your pic.,I'm guessing your car is a 77-78'? So Your obviously needing to source those from a doner car at the JY. BTW,when your prepping the backside of the fender(off the car) sand blast and really clean the Seam of the folded over door skin,prime it and undercoat it with several thin coats.It should not rust again even with condensaqtion,unless you miss a spot ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilRufusKay Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 Thanks for your help!! It is a 75. I am using a complete fiberglass front clip so no worries about the fender rusting. I am in the process of cleaning all the rust and undercoating off the unibody so I can treat it, patch any holes, and seal it with POR-15. Thanks again, I am going to the JY tomorrow to check out a 76 that just got brought in. I will see it it has the guards. Rufus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage-TechZ Posted April 25, 2004 Share Posted April 25, 2004 Very good ! Those plastic guards might be able to be fashioned like the Corvettes since your utilizing the glass front clip. They might protect the fenders from getting "Stone Stars" from rocks letting loose from the tires at speed. ...........Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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