83 rusted through to firewall from cowl

[slamd83c10]

what can be done, i took the cowl and screen off to clean and do some seam sealer due to a leak in cab, but as i cleaned the old seam sealer out and started washing it clean i noticed water coming from my firewall right where the seam sealer is, there are some small holes where it has rusted through,, heeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllllllpppppppp....

[N2TRUX]

The "right" way to fix it is cut out the rot and weld in fresh sheetmetal. There are other ways too, but they are only patches.

[slamd83c10]

got ya, its not bad enough to where i need to cut out anything, its just some small holes here and there, behind the seam seal at the firewall, will it be ok to take a die grinder and clean it up and tack weld it all back together where the holes are,, i want a smooth firewall so i guess i need to clean it and then tack and filler to get how i want anyways right...

[silvereagle07]

Those small holes will turn into big holes eventually. It's best to cut it and weld a patch panel in. I have to do the same to mine soon. Smoothing the firewall will be a whole other game. Lots to do to smooth it. It's all about how much you want to do.

[westofb]

Grind it clean, use some type of rust convertor, lay on some fiberglass (resin and matting) and that should fix you up. This should keep it from rusting out and cure the leaks, no one can see the area anyhow, so the patch only needs to be effective, not pretty!

[slamd83c10]

good idea, didnt think of that. and im always messing with fiberglass dont know why it didnt cross my mind...thanks..

[westofb]

YW, just paying it forward....