How to repair wire gutter? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**rechinca** · 07-26-2019, 07:08 PM

Found one of my cab leaks. Under the seam sealer in the wire gutter I have the ugly scene below. Several small holes through the stacked seam of the cowl/firewall. I know the best would be to cut out a small section and lay in the fresh patch. But I’ll be honest, I just got my welder and really don’t know my ability to tackle this narrowed area. Is it possible to hold the copper spoon/flattened pipe below it and do several small tacks to fill it? I may have to pay a guy to tackle it in my driveway for the time being. I’ll take any suggestions short of just covering it with crap for the time being. Plus the added factor of I don’t really want to gut my dash, although short of the inner heater box, controls and radio everything else is already removed.

**Boog** · 07-26-2019, 07:58 PM

That's some pretty serious rust. The only way to stop it is to cut it all out back to good metal and rebuild. Why patch at it now only to have to go through this again down the road?

**Grumpy old man** · 07-26-2019, 08:04 PM

That ^ leads to this . the joys of 50 year old trucks ,You never know what your going to find . No sense hiding it knowing it will return soon .

Warrens69GMC · 07-26-2019, 08:32 PM

and this

https://vannattafabrication.com/new-...or-vintage-air

**rechinca** · 07-26-2019, 10:08 PM

I am not going to be able to show the wife either of those photos...I don’t need more mission creep right now or the promise of more engine porn! Although it will probably end up in both directions as this thing goes!

**rechinca** · 07-26-2019, 10:13 PM

That Vannatta Fab Kit is really sweet!

Mike C · 07-27-2019, 09:39 AM

We cleaned the channel well and fiberglassed it in my kids Jimmy project. Full length across. We then brushed in seam sealer over the fiberglass and painted black. Can’t tell it was done and will look great painted.

**Ironangel** · 07-28-2019, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

We cleaned the channel well and fiberglassed it in my kids Jimmy project. Full length across. We then brushed in seam sealer over the fiberglass and painted black. Can’t tell it was done and will look great painted.

^^^What he said!^^^

While you got it relatively clean, lay in some fiberglass and your golden for years!

And that's advice from a retired certified welder...

07-26-2019, 07:08 PM	#1
rechinca Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 529	How to repair wire gutter? Found one of my cab leaks. Under the seam sealer in the wire gutter I have the ugly scene below. Several small holes through the stacked seam of the cowl/firewall. I know the best would be to cut out a small section and lay in the fresh patch. But I’ll be honest, I just got my welder and really don’t know my ability to tackle this narrowed area. Is it possible to hold the copper spoon/flattened pipe below it and do several small tacks to fill it? I may have to pay a guy to tackle it in my driveway for the time being. I’ll take any suggestions short of just covering it with crap for the time being. Plus the added factor of I don’t really want to gut my dash, although short of the inner heater box, controls and radio everything else is already removed. Attached Images __________________ 1971 Custom/10 - 350/3 speed, Orange/White roof

07-26-2019, 07:58 PM	#2
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,140	Re: How to repair wire gutter? That's some pretty serious rust. The only way to stop it is to cut it all out back to good metal and rebuild. Why patch at it now only to have to go through this again down the road? __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

07-26-2019, 08:04 PM	#3
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: How to repair wire gutter? That ^ leads to this . the joys of 50 year old trucks ,You never know what your going to find . No sense hiding it knowing it will return soon . Attached Images __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

07-26-2019, 08:32 PM	#4
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,613	Re: How to repair wire gutter? and this https://vannattafabrication.com/new-...or-vintage-air Attached Images

07-26-2019, 10:08 PM	#5
rechinca Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 529	Re: How to repair wire gutter? I am not going to be able to show the wife either of those photos...I don’t need more mission creep right now or the promise of more engine porn! Although it will probably end up in both directions as this thing goes! __________________ 1971 Custom/10 - 350/3 speed, Orange/White roof

07-26-2019, 10:13 PM	#6
rechinca Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 529	Re: How to repair wire gutter? That Vannatta Fab Kit is really sweet! __________________ 1971 Custom/10 - 350/3 speed, Orange/White roof

07-27-2019, 09:39 AM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,715	Re: How to repair wire gutter? We cleaned the channel well and fiberglassed it in my kids Jimmy project. Full length across. We then brushed in seam sealer over the fiberglass and painted black. Can’t tell it was done and will look great painted. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax



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