Under Dash Water Leaks - Cowl Vents Maybe?

My daughter’s ’66 has various water leaks coming from under the dash.  It is obvious that some seals around the firewall (i.e. accelerator rod) could very well need replacing.  Nonetheless, I understand that the cowl vents are a common problem and have read MM’s story on a full repair and restoration.  That will certainly take a pro or someone with more experience than me.

Has anyone used the Cowl Vent Repair like the one California Pony Cars puts out?

http://www.calponycars.com/prodDetail.php?prodId=58

If so, just exactly what does that involve?

Thanks for any suggestions.  

With a hose, run some water into the cowl vent and check to see if it leaks into the interior. Then you'll know it's the cowl panel. The cowl vent repair kit from Cal Pony and other suppliers is a great temporary repair. From under the dash, you slide the collars up into the cowl openings and secure them with the sealer. They fit inside the cowl dams, which are typically the areas that rust and allow the water to run into the interior.

Donald Farr
Editor  

Having done a complete cowl replacement on a 67 believe me its no job for the faint hearted. There are close to three hundred spot welds to drill out and then even when you use completely new panels its hard to get them square and re-welded correctly lined up. You must use a Mig or Tig and a spot welder is handy too. You have to completely strip the front end dash and windshield and we removed the engine also. We did it in my buddies garage and it took us three long weeks. Its a gawddawful job that we swore we would never do again. In his case the hats(or cowl vent repair kit as Mr Farr refers to above) didnt seal the area. If the rust is localized around the vent tube(which it usually is) they work fine for years. After that the alternative is new sheetmetal and a tough repair. At a good mustang garage this repair is around $3k. Its one of the worst things you can be forced to do with a good friends mustang,,,or with your own and a willing ,,read victim,,,tireless buddy.  

Having done a complete cowl replacement on a 67 believe me its no job for the faint hearted. There are close to three hundred spot welds to drill out and then even when you use completely new panels its hard to get them square and re-welded correctly lined up. You must use a Mig or Tig and a spot welder is handy too. You have to completely strip the front end dash and windshield and we removed the engine also. We did it in my buddies garage and it took us three long weeks. Its a gawddawful job that we swore we would never do again. In his case the hats(or cowl vent repair kit as Mr Farr refers to above) didnt seal the area. If the rust is localized around the vent tube(which it usually is) they work fine for years. After that the alternative is new sheetmetal and a tough repair. At a good mustang garage this repair is around $3k. Its one of the worst things you can be forced to do with a good friends mustang,,,or with your own and a willing ,,read victim,,,tireless buddy.