69 Dart. I have some rust in the cowl area above the firewall,I am thinking of ways to keep this from happening again. Has anyone ever cut this area out and put a removable cover in place? Any down sides to doing this? I was thinking about cutting out the rust,and using a square piece of 16-18 gauge steel maybe 2x2,secured with screws and maybe build some kind of gasket for it. What do you guys think? Any other ideas?

Thanks

Can't wield it in and paint over it? then fish oil etc to be extra paranoid for those parts you can't get to easily.

I could, but then if it gets clogged up again,I have no way of cleaning it out. If I were to make a "access" window,then if it gets full of debris I could just unbolt it and clean the area out.

I think what you said then sounds like a good idea.
Have you pulled off the side panels to see how the cowl drains out? I had to remove my panels a few months ago for painting and found a lot of dirt leaves and mud. I wish I could make the drainage 'hole' bigger but I didn't have the tools or anything etc. Perhaps you could? Seemed like it'd be a biggish job.

Australian A bodies had plastic plugs in the cowl panel.
(US had something similar up to '66, but not from '67 on.)
These make it easier to clean out the dirt and leaves that help cause the rust.
The car in this thread is a '70 VG Valiant.
You can see the blanking plugs.
http://www.moparmarketforum.com/forum/v ... 31&t=24682

_________________
Richard (aka Fingers)

For some reason I forgot about these... and I just bought a set.

http://www.pentastarparts.com.au/sunsho ... ail&p=4407

Ah ha! I do remember those on pre-'67 A bodies. Thanks guys,I think Ill go that route.

Also,Brussel I will look into opening up the drain holes.

Thanks

Jared