A few easy questions.....

[cranman]

Sorry if these questions are lame, I am new to this whole 67/72 truck thing. How do I clean all the crap out that's under the cowel? I pressure washed under the hood and there seems to be a bunch of pine needles and crap trapped in there.

Does anyone sell front fender patches for the lower part in front of the wheel arch for a '72? LMC shows patches for the rear of the arch...

That's all for now, I have a bunch more questions but this will get me started...thanks!

[68gmsee]

Cleaning under the cowl..

I removed the cowl and with my hands removed as much as I could. I then rigged up a long vacuum hose to my shop vacuum and got most of the stuff that I could get to from the top.

Then I went inside the truck and removed the vent covers. Reached in with my hands and scooped out whatever I could reach. Be careful, I've heard some guys have had all sorts of critters living in there, including a rattle snake! Then, again, used the shop vac to get the rest of the debris out. Washed out with water hose and made sure the hole was not plugged.

Last thing I did was to cut me a cowl screen (do a search-lots of ideas) to keep the leaves out. We don't have pine trees around me so I just used Gutter Guard from Lowes and cut the length with scissors.

[dave2953]

When I cleaned mine out I removed the cowl and opened the vents in the cab. I blew compressed air from the cowl area down through the vents and it worked really well. Of course, it makes a mess in the cab, but I just swept it out. You can also get most of the big stuff out with your hands when the cowl is off. BTW, to the board!

[cranman]

So I guess the cowl is just bolted in ? I didn't see any exposed hardware, it must have been up under it acessed from the engine compartment I guess. Anybody on the fender patches question?

Thanks!

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by cranman

So I guess the cowl is just bolted in ? I didn't see any exposed hardware, it must have been up under it acessed from the engine compartment I guess. Anybody on the fender patches question?

Thanks!

Lift the hood there is a bolt either side, and open the doors there are bolts either side there, a line of screws where the back edge of the hood meets the cowl and four more at the bottom of the windshield, and remove the wipers.

[68gmsee]

Dittos on what eightbanger said.

I want to add that when removing the wipers-at least on mine- lift the arm up as high as it will go to release the clip that holds it in place. Then carefully lift the arm base up using a pry instrument.

I use a prybar with a towel under it to protect the paint and pry the arm up from the back side. At the same time you may have to wiggle the arm some to coax it up. It may be stuck if you haven't done this in a while.

[drivethechevy]

about the fender patches
i havent looked through an lmc in a few months but lmc did sell front patches i bought a couple for my dad as a bday present they worked pretty good but i much rather just english wheel my own and patch it without spendin the money but thats not an option for everyone but yes the patches are sold if lmc dont sell them anymore goodmark might

[drivethechevy]

i decided to take a look for the parts u were lookin for and i didnt see them on lmcs website but i found another website that has them and alot of other panels
http://www.toolshedofamerica.com/Bod...k-up_67-72.htm

ive never ordered from this place but my friends dad has and what he ordered seems pretty good quality and the prices are pretty reasonable

good luck with ur project

[68gmsee]

Try the vendors that support this site first, if you can. GMC Paul has the patch panels and so do others. I never can remember where the list is but there's one. The forum support staff knows where the list is...

I think this may be what you need.

http://www.gmcpauls.com/pictures/67-...atchpanels.jpg

http://www.gmcpauls.com/Patch_Panels.htm

[Rollie396]

I recall seeing a post by one smart fella here that fabbed a door into the side of the air box(hidden of course) that would allow easy access to the lower area of the box where all the crap gathers.

[cranman]

Thanks for all the replies guys, great info!!!

[PanelDeland]

There is a drain in the bottom of the area.It can be found under the truck.Make sure it's clear so water will drain.While you're laying there on your back in the water(I never remember to do it first either) check the drains in the bottom of the doors.

[jayharrell]

I got a strip of gutter guard my self. Thought i had an origonal idea there. LOL.

My blower motor had built up alot of leaves and junk too. This is a must do or it'll rust out your inside vents, fire wall, and the bottom of your AC or heater ducting in the housing under the hood. Makes a mess of your heater core too.

I'm thinking about building the gutter guard into the air cleaner. Like a cheap man's Copper Head cleaner. Kind of tie it all together.