Cowl panel install,68-74. Chevelle, GTO, LeMans, Oldsmobile

[@mikeread2974]

I just bought a 68 lemans to restore. Enjoy watching your videos. They give me hope in doing it the right way. The body is in fairly decent shape so that's a plus. Thanks for the lessons...Mike

[@classicrewind2715]

Thanks Mike. I'm sure you'll have a good time working on your LeMans. Glad that I could be of help. All the best

[@jeromeelliott1093]

Great videos, i am about to start on a 1968 lemans convertible. It is in very bad shape. Almost all the metal needs to be either repaired or replaced. Your videos give me hope !! KEEP THEM COMING!

[@classicrewind2715]

Thanks for the kind words . Take your time, I'm sure you can do it. Your LeMans will come out fantastic. All the best.

[@rajcam80]

I am doing this procedure soon on my 1971 Pontiac GT-37. It will also be getting the full quarters,full trunk pan, full floor and toe boards. Thanks for the videos!

[@classicrewind2715]

Awesome rajcam80, I hope everything comes out well. I'm glad my videos help. All the best my friend..

[@rajcam80]

@@classicrewind2715 I have never done a restoration, of this magnitude. Hope to have it on the road by next year. It will be getting a 04 Escalade LQ9 6.0L,and 4L80E transmission swap.

[@arthurharding1044]

That big square hole is to access the antenna lead for the antennas that are in the windshield on some GM A bodies!

[@classicrewind2715]

Thanks Arthur. I did not realize that's what it would be for. Thanks for letting us know All the best..

[@arthurharding1044]

Classic Rewind you’re welcome ! I can’t wait for your video on the lower windshield panel. I am at that point on my 72 Chevelle!

[@dougmallozzi4788]

Another great video thanks for the tips and the inspiration! I just finished rebuilding my driver's side cowl shoulder. Couldn't believe how rusty and rotten it was! Not anymore!

[@classicrewind2715]

Yeah it's unbelievable how that rust hides. Mine weren't that bad looking from the outside but once I cut into them they were pretty bad. Thanks for the kind words. All the best

[@dougmallozzi4788]

@@classicrewind2715 I was just out in my garage looking and I think that cowl panel you have might be for a chevelle? On my 70 Chevelle I have that square hole that you filled in and I know my cowl has never been replaced.

[@dougmallozzi4788]

I believe that square hole is for wiring access for the stock radio antenna in the windshield.

[@classicrewind2715]

I think you are correct That square hole is for wiring for the antenna in your windshield. I think you're the second person who mentioned that. Thanks again for the comment all the best.

[@waynebauer2770]

Just got my Upper cowl panel in. It does have the square antenna hole, so I'll have to patch that up. The fender mounting holes are ok. (Glad I'm doing a Chevelle), I don't have to drill those holes and weld nuts. Hope to have it installed next week. Don't forget to post your windshield channel video. I got that part in too, so I'll be ready to install that after the cowl panel. Keep up the great work!!!

[@classicrewind2715]

Hi Wayne. That is awesome!! Just be careful when you weld that antenna hole, I warped my cowl a little bit. I had to pop a couple welds back off and lift it up a little to reweld it. I just got done editing my Window Channel video. I should have it up by Wednesday night. All the best my friend

[@waynebauer2770]

Thanks for the tip

[@petergoodwin2465]

Fantastic video and well explained. That old impala really looks bad in the windscreen corners. Because you're teaching people the correct way to build cars there will be a lot more decent cars on the road. Take care mate.

[@classicrewind2715]

Thanks Peter. You're too kind, I put these videos together show and help people get their classic cars restored. I just got done editing some videos on my new suspension kit that I installed. I will post them soon. I'm going to try to get a video out every 10 days . All the best my friend, be safe!!

[@relicstale4303]

Be careful for which year of cowl-vent you buy, when doing mine on a 1968 chevelle 300, I tried getting a cowl vent of a 1970-1972, but I was told that they are different from the 1968, so it took a little bit of hunting but I found the right year and got it ordered in, anyways it fits really good, Nice video!

[@classicrewind2715]

Thanks RT, good information. I had to do some fitting on my cowl-panel. someone mentioned that the fender Bolt holes are from the Chevelle. I have an SS Chevelle, but in order to find out I would have to remove the fender. I am not going to do that, so what I ended up doing was welding a nut next to the hole that was there. I went off of the old cowl panel that I removed for measurement. All the best

[@BessieMorrison]

This is very motivational to watch. It gives me faith in doing this myself. Thanks for sharing.

[@classicrewind2715]

Thanks for the kind words. I apologize for taking me so long putting these videos together. There is a lot of work in between me working on the car and editing these videos.. Thanks again my friend. All the best..

[@442pete]

Helpful video, I'm about to start the same process on my 71cutlass

[@classicrewind2715]

Awesome. I'm glad I can help let me know how your progress goes. If you have any questions maybe I can help you, keep in touch All the best.

[@waynebauer2770]

Great video, My new cowl panel hasn't arrived yet. I'll have to check those fender mounting holes. Please post windshield channel video when you get a chance. My car looks alot like yours. Interested to see how you do it. Keep up the great work!!!

[@classicrewind2715]

Thanks Wayne. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Let me know if you get that panel in and it has the same problems. I would be interested in finding out also if it has that big square hole up top in the center. All the best

[@waynebauer2770]

@@classicrewind2715 What size holes did you drill for your plug welds?

[@classicrewind2715]

Sorry Wayne, I just saw this comment.. I drilled 1/4" for my plug welds

[@brianbusbea8960]

@classicrewind. Question have you heard of people filling in the cowl vents on the 68-72 A-bodies, I just installed the upper and lower cowl on mine along with fire wall, floors, and A-pillars. I have the outer cowl panels off still and thinking of patching over them to prevent air flow for better AC. Mine ar kinda rotten(the vents) Thank you for the work and the videos they are inspiring!!! It’s a resto-mod not a numbers matching car but a real 242

[@classicrewind2715]

Hi. No, I haven't heard of anyone filling in the vents. It's only pulling air from the upper cowl panel. I don't know if that would make a big difference in the air conditioning. You could always block them with a custom piece of plastic. I don't know if that would help. Thank you for the kind words I'm glad you're enjoying my videos. All the best

[@jimprice6957]

That square hole is for your antenna on a 70 model Chevelle

[@classicrewind2715]

Yes, they threw me off because both of my 68 have Fender antennas. I ordered it for 68 GTO it should not have a square hole in the cowl panel, it's for a window antenna. You are correct. All the best

[@markpalio4411]

Just Looked At A 72 Cutlass That I've Got And The Big Hole(Center Of Dash) Is Where The Antenna(Wire In Windshield) Is Plugged In. 68's Had Actual Antennas(Like You Know Owning A 68). Panel Is Probably A 70-72 Or Generic.

[@classicrewind2715]

Hi Mark. Yes, that is a antenna hole. I think when you buy that panel they automatically have it in the panel. I bought a couple for other cars and they all had that square hole for the antenna. My 68 Chevelle does not have one in the panel. like you said it has a separate antenna. All the best.

[@jesserodriquez4829]

I noticed you did a lot of spot welding on the top part by the dash what did you weld to? Did you weld to the box lip?

[@classicrewind2715]

Jesse, I spot welded across the window Channel and the cowl panel. I weld it to the inner cowl box. Basically tack welded the whole dash to the new window channel. Check out my window Channel video that pretty much explains everything. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pl6snXuoppyAr6c All the best.

[@drwise4850]

The square hole is for a 70 GTO windshiels antenna wire in the windshield

[@classicrewind2715]

Yes, why they put it in all the aftermarket cowl panels it's beyond me. If you want an antenna wire, you should be able to cut it out if you want. All the best

[@drwise4850]

Wher did you get the upper cowl pannel from?

[@waynebauer2770]

I think I figured out why the fender bolt holes didn't line up for you. I have a 68 Chevelle and the holes are 2 1/4 apart. The fenders must be different on the GTO. Measure your 68 Chevelle when you get a chance.

[@classicrewind2715]

Wayne thanks. I will look into that tomorrow, I'll be out in the garage. I have a lot of work to do. Getting that window Channel prepped. I will definitely check the Chevelle to see if I do have 2 1/4" that would make sense.. The Company I bought my panels we're not that knowledgeable. I don't think I would buy from them again. I ordered trunk filler panels for the car. They sent one for a 66 LH GTO and one for a 68 RH. I will let you know what I find when I measure. All the best

[@classicrewind2715]

Hi Wayne. I checked the Chevelle, the only way I could find out the distance between the hole one mind is to remove the quarter panel. My friend is building a 68 GTO convertible as well his cowl panel holes are off as well. You are correct I think it is a Chevelle cowl because you're measuring 2-1/4 on yours

[@gunjiweber42]

Electric antenna hole ? Cutlass has a n antenna wire built in the windshield & the connector sits in that area.

[@classicrewind2715]

Yes, all new Cowl panel comes with that hole. I filled it in I did not like that hole in the panel

[@loniejones8347]

How did front fenders do after install of cowl did you have to use original holes or the ones you welded in

[@classicrewind2715]

Had to drill new holes and weld nut underneath. It should be in the video.

[@racer67]

A tree fell on one of my 67 Impalas smashed the windshield out and smashed down the upper cowl and dashboard I have to repair it all,i have another 67 Impala that's a parts car to do it.

[@classicrewind2715]

That's a shame that the damage happened to your car. It's going to take a lot of work to fix it. The good thing is, you have a parts car. All the best

[@MrRicco2002]

Can you show how you reattached the VIN on the new cowl off the old ??

[@classicrewind2715]

Did not touch the VIN. You can't buy the upper Dash panel . I just changed the window Channel. Hope this helps all the best

[@MrRicco2002]

What if I took it off to Grind everything and make it all purrrrty. How.would I reattach it ? Tia

[@classicrewind2715]

You are not allowed to tamper with VIN numbers. I have no idea. I'm sure restoration shops do it all the time.

[@MrRicco2002]

Thanks maybe I'll melt down some lead and put it back and try to make it original

[@johnkonter7696]

What company are you buying your panels from?

[@classicrewind2715]

Hi John. I bought my panels from OPGI, I have a friend that bought the same cowl panel as me from another company. It was identical to mine. The bolt pattern was in the wrong area and also had the large square in the center of the cowl. Exactly like mine. Thank you for commenting. I appreciate it. All the best on your build..

[@flounder009]

@@classicrewind2715 i know you said you got the panel from opgi. By chance do you know who actually made it. ( goodmark, dynacorn ect...) opgi is backordered. I can get a dynacorn.

[@classicrewind2715]

Hi, I don't recall who made it. But you could find them pretty much anywhere. Try this place BSP bodyshopprice.com/1968-69-gm-a-body-upper-cowl-panel-skin/ Let me know if this helps. All the best

[@classicrewind2715]

@@flounder009 I don't know if you got my message before. but there is a lot of places that you can buy that panel from. try eBay they normally have pop-ups where you could buy those panels. all the best

[@flounder009]

@@classicrewind2715 yes i got it. Thanks. I bought mine from groundup (ss396) only one that had it in stock.

[@chrisfreeman8175]

Where did you get your upper wiper cow panel?