I’m only 5-8 but will do a lot of research on what brand seat I buy just to make sure I don’t have any issues with height.   

My good friend drive down today to help me glue the cowl in place. This cowl is sealed so well now it will never rust from the inside out. 

There’s really nothing to it.  You need clean bare metal to bond to.  The bonding has small beads in it to prevent over clamping which will ensure you have a layer of bonding between the panels.   They make the product with a different part number that gives I think a six hour working time.   This one is I think four window. But it starts to tack up pretty soon.

We ran a bead around all of the edges and brushed it out so it covered all the bare metal which we had just prepped prior to applying the bond. Once we had a later brushed on we then ran a small bead around on each panel.  I went with a slightly heavier bead on the firewall lip because it was not super flat from when the old cowl was removed.  Just to make sure I didn’t have any air pockets.  I would rather clean up a little than not have enough bonding material in there.   

We clamped from the center out.  This proved helpful because the outer most edge at the windshield and side panel never fit that great.  We were able to clamp it and with a block of wood and a hammer we got a perfect fit.   

Of course we confirmed the cowl placement before bonding it.   I was able to use a couple of transfer punches and locate off of the firewall holes for the tower brace.  And to be honest the cowl always felt like it fell into place every time I put it on. 

I think this approach is a must for and cowl replacement.  You get the best seal ever and there is no way I could have welded it that fast.  Given how well these new bonds hold and the benefits of the things I mentioned, I will never weld a cowl. 

I think I covered it all.   It’s really that easy.  I did have to buy a special 3M 2-1 bonding gun.  There were cheaper guns for about $20 less but I felt like I should buy the better made unit.  The cheaper one had some bad reviews.  It took little to no effort to apply the bonding.  The gun is very easy to use.

MS wrote:

Nice work

 
Thanks MS.  👍

There’s is no warranty and I would never expect one.  How does 3M know if you applied it correctly and even then if they took on such a claim they could take on liability for so many other possible issues. 

I think it’s close to $30 a tube.  I bought two and have plenty left over in the second one.  Which will be used on the roof panel.

Heat will break the bond.

I am not sure on different strengths and only know they have an 8116 that says it has a longer working time.  Now I think the working claim is kind of confusing.  It’s not like it stays soft for four hours.  I think you could remove the panel if need be in that time frame.   It grabbed a hold of the panels as soon as we put the panels down and you could tell it was getting difficult to slide them into position.   Keep in mind the panels had the edges brushed with the bond and sat while other areas where getting the bonding.   I was the one applying it and my buddy followed me and brushed it on to get full coverage.

Time will tell if I made the right choice or not.  Lol

Gotta love that 'overhead welding'.........lift or no lift.
Quite the craftsman (and I don't mean  'a-tool'  )
Nice work!
6sally6

Real nice fab work there RTM.

RTM wrote:

6sally6 wrote:

Gotta love that 'overhead welding'.........lift or no lift.
Quite the craftsman (and I don't mean  'a-tool'  )
Nice work!
6sally6

 
Thanks.  Some of the welds are the prettiest and yes welding upside down from the garage floor is a challenge.   Lol

Oh and I’m sure a few of my friends would side with the “a-tool” comment.  😁

Yepp... A person hasn't truly lived until they are under a car on the ground welding something like exhaust pipe and a piece of splatter lands directly in your ear.  You will never forget that sound of bacon frying when it's you!

Nice work!  My question is are you going to use the bottom tie in plate, or this seems like a chance to make a custom one!