Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**El Jay** · 12-11-2007, 09:45 PM

How do you clean the cowl drains?
The rainy season is here & I have water running down the right side kick panel & dripping from the center of my dashboard. I don't particularly want to rust out my floorboard & I don't want to drown my stereo.

Thanx,
El Jay

PanelDeland · 12-11-2007, 10:31 PM

First gently pruy the wiper arms up using a rag to protect the paint.Open the hood and you will see the screws holding the cowl on.There are also bolts in the door hinge area.Then you can remove the cowl and reach down each side.I usually use a shop vac.They make a screen for the cowl vents which will help keep the trash out so they can drain.I think i remembered all the holding fasteners but if not someone will chime in.They may with better instructions anyway.

**El Jay** · 12-11-2007, 11:17 PM

Hey, Thanx.
I was pretty sure the cowl had to come off, but I wasn't sure. I wanted to check before trying to attack screws & bolts that have been in place for 35 yrs. I've seen aftermarket "trash screens"; I think I'll get a set & install them @ the same time.
El Jay
'69 Chevy 1/2 T, LBSS
'72 GMC 3/4 T FS
'72 Fury, Gran Coupe

And a "Merry Christmas" to you.
I despise "Happy Holidays." It's Christmas, for Christ's sake. Jesus is the reason for the season

sodak69c10 · 12-11-2007, 11:34 PM

i make my own screens with some strips of steel window screen i had , i cut the strips then lay them down so that the attachment screws would hold it in place worked great for me

**El Jay** · 12-11-2007, 11:52 PM

Thanx, sodak69c10,
I'll keep that in mind when I open the damn thing up.

El Jay

67ChevyRedneck · 12-12-2007, 07:46 AM

Open up both vents and 75-80 mph down the interstate usually does it.

*Remember to keep your mouth closed and both windows down. Goggles help too

You can also remove the inner kick panel vents by removing the two screws that hold the handle on and pull down on the top pin (it's got a spring on it) and pull the whole vent door out. This is where all the debri falls to.

Ackattack · 12-12-2007, 09:05 AM

there are a couple of screws along the top of the cowl too.

Rokcrln · 12-12-2007, 09:28 AM

What also works is to take your wife's house vac and use it to clean out the kick panel vents. "But money mine was just to big!"

EL Jay~ Were in Nor Cal are you hiding?

Kevin
LFD Inc.
near Sac.

ChevLoRay · 12-12-2007, 05:19 PM

NAPA has a tool that lifts and separates (sounds like a bra, huh?) and will make it soooooo easy to get the wiper arms off of the shafts. You may only need them once....then you may need them again. Any work that you have to do on your wipers will be met by an easy streak, if you have them. They won't scratch the paint, either.

**El Jay** · 12-13-2007, 12:07 AM

Thanks guys.
But Y'all opened up a few new questions.
Drive down the interstate @ 75-80, which gear. I can come outta 2nd & into "D" at about 75. Damn 4.11's are slowin' me down.
Rocket ship off the line, but no top end.
I'm thinking "Gear Vendors" to cure that li'l problem.

Use the "wife's vacuum" to clean things out.
Whatsa wife?

Thank you to everybody for your input!!!

72armyswbtruck · 12-13-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Jay

Whatsa wife?

Luvlegs · 12-13-2007, 07:15 AM

Whatsa wife?

The same as 3 completed trucks a year... more or less....
Your choice: Pick one or the other.

**El Jay** · 12-14-2007, 05:14 PM

Antioch, Gateway to the Delta.
Used to be a nice little town, but then about 80,000 people found it & moved here.

PanelDeland · 12-14-2007, 07:42 PM

When i put the screens on mine i used bread bag ties to hold them in place on the cowl then after all the screws were started i just untwisted them and removed.I couldn't hold everything steady enough otherwise.

12-11-2007, 09:45 PM	#1
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night How do you clean the cowl drains? The rainy season is here & I have water running down the right side kick panel & dripping from the center of my dashboard. I don't particularly want to rust out my floorboard & I don't want to drown my stereo. Thanx, El Jay Last edited by El Jay; 12-11-2007 at 09:47 PM. Reason: punctuation error

12-11-2007, 10:31 PM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night First gently pruy the wiper arms up using a rag to protect the paint.Open the hood and you will see the screws holding the cowl on.There are also bolts in the door hinge area.Then you can remove the cowl and reach down each side.I usually use a shop vac.They make a screen for the cowl vents which will help keep the trash out so they can drain.I think i remembered all the holding fasteners but if not someone will chime in.They may with better instructions anyway. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

12-11-2007, 11:17 PM	#3
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night Hey, Thanx. I was pretty sure the cowl had to come off, but I wasn't sure. I wanted to check before trying to attack screws & bolts that have been in place for 35 yrs. I've seen aftermarket "trash screens"; I think I'll get a set & install them @ the same time. El Jay '69 Chevy 1/2 T, LBSS '72 GMC 3/4 T FS '72 Fury, Gran Coupe And a "Merry Christmas" to you. I despise "Happy Holidays." It's Christmas, for Christ's sake. Jesus is the reason for the season

12-11-2007, 11:34 PM	#4
sodak69c10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rapid City, South Dakota Posts: 285	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night i make my own screens with some strips of steel window screen i had , i cut the strips then lay them down so that the attachment screws would hold it in place worked great for me __________________ ,Clint LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES 69 C-10 short stepside 406 sbc, 02 YAMAHA WR250F, 07 SUZUKI SV650S, 81 Grand Prix 355 sbc, 81 XT 500 YAMAHA

12-11-2007, 11:52 PM	#5
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night Thanx, sodak69c10, I'll keep that in mind when I open the damn thing up. El Jay

12-12-2007, 07:46 AM	#6
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night Open up both vents and 75-80 mph down the interstate usually does it. Remember to keep your mouth closed and both windows down. Goggles help too You can also remove the inner kick panel vents by removing the two screws that hold the handle on and pull down on the top pin (it's got a spring on it) and pull the whole vent door out. This is where all the debri falls to. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 12-12-2007 at 07:51 AM.*

12-12-2007, 09:05 AM	#7
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night there are a couple of screws along the top of the cowl too. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

12-12-2007, 09:28 AM	#8
Rokcrln Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Winters Ca. 95694 Posts: 4,843	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night What also works is to take your wife's house vac and use it to clean out the kick panel vents. "But money mine was just to big!" EL Jay~ Were in Nor Cal are you hiding? Kevin LFD Inc. near Sac.

12-12-2007, 05:19 PM	#9
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night NAPA has a tool that lifts and separates (sounds like a bra, huh?) and will make it soooooo easy to get the wiper arms off of the shafts. You may only need them once....then you may need them again. Any work that you have to do on your wipers will be met by an easy streak, if you have them. They won't scratch the paint, either. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

12-13-2007, 12:07 AM	#10
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night Thanks guys. But Y'all opened up a few new questions. Drive down the interstate @ 75-80, which gear. I can come outta 2nd & into "D" at about 75. Damn 4.11's are slowin' me down. Rocket ship off the line, but no top end. I'm thinking "Gear Vendors" to cure that li'l problem. Use the "wife's vacuum" to clean things out. Whatsa wife? Thank you to everybody for your input!!!

12-13-2007, 07:15 AM	#12
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night Whatsa wife? The same as 3 completed trucks a year... more or less.... Your choice: Pick one or the other. __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew! Last edited by Luvlegs; 12-13-2007 at 07:15 AM.

12-14-2007, 05:14 PM	#13
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night Antioch, Gateway to the Delta. Used to be a nice little town, but then about 80,000 people found it & moved here.

12-14-2007, 07:42 PM	#14
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Cowl drains/Dumb question of the night When i put the screens on mine i used bread bag ties to hold them in place on the cowl then after all the screws were started i just untwisted them and removed.I couldn't hold everything steady enough otherwise. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"



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