Replacing upper cowl

[Simbad68]

Replacing sides and upper cowl on 69 Firebird. The upper cowl is arched about 1/2" -3/4" to high where it meets the glass. Whats the best method to take out some of the arch? Will placing 50 lbs. bags across the cowl remove some of the arch?
Thanks- Sims

[oestek]

Got pics? Normally we screw / clamp everything together to fit, then begin welding..

[mikey]

Got pics? Normally we screw / clamp everything together to fit, then begin welding..

Ditto sheet metal will creep when welding. Your best bet is to start clamping or screwwing it down at the high point of the crown. Then work your way out evenly to the ends. Before you start welding also hop from side to side with your welds starting at one side and going straight across will some times tend to move the metal slightly in the direction you are going. This is a neat little trick that can be used if you have a gap that is slighly off to open or close it a bit.

[Simbad68]

It was actually where the glass meet the upper cowl. Glass touched the panel in the center of the lower windshield. Which raised it about 1/2 to 3/4" off the panels on the sides. I placed 3 sand bags across the panel for 2 days, the bow in the panel is almost completely gone. Everything lines up now. Thanks for the help..
Sims

[mikey]

It was actually where the glass meet the upper cowl. Glass touched the panel in the center of the lower windshield. Which raised it about 1/2 to 3/4" off the panels on the sides. I placed 3 sand bags across the panel for 2 days, the bow in the panel is almost completely gone. Everything lines up now. Thanks for the help..
Sims

I must have misread your post were you talking about the bolt on cowl panel(vented piece)?

[Simbad68]

I guess there both called the upper cowl panel. It's the welded panel under the bolt on panel that the dash panel welds to. The wiper motor also bolts to it. Does that make sense?