1977 Corvette. I have found that heat from the engine compartment is passing into the passenger compartment. I took the passenger door off to adjust some poorly installed shims and found when looking inside the front fender I could see a space between the firewall and the fender. I'm sure this car has been in a minor accident; I didn't pay much for the car and have been working on the rebuilding the front end, rear end, replaced gas tank, etc. I cannot tell if a part is missing or what else I am dealing with. Please see attached picture and let me know your thoughts. I would greatly appreciate some help with this. I just purchased the Corvette Assembly Manual with hopes I'll find a part missing.... Many thanks.
Question: Engine Compartment/Passenger Compartment (HEAT)
- Thread starter My77Vette
- Start date
VETTETECH
Member
WOW!!! You are missing part of the cowl...Do you know what happened to the car...Looks like some unresolved repairs from impact damage..Sad to see this kind of thing..
Joe
Joe
- Thread starter
- #3
Missing cowl
Yes, I do know the car was damaged as I could tell that the passenger door did not align well and the body was repaired behind the kick panel on the same side. I did check underneath the car and found the frame to not be damaged at all. So, at some point in time the car had to be have been in a minor accident and the individual that repaired it obviously didn't do a good/complete job. Can you offer recommendations for resolution? What part(s) can I buy to take care of the issue? Many thanks for any assistance you can offer.
Yes, I do know the car was damaged as I could tell that the passenger door did not align well and the body was repaired behind the kick panel on the same side. I did check underneath the car and found the frame to not be damaged at all. So, at some point in time the car had to be have been in a minor accident and the individual that repaired it obviously didn't do a good/complete job. Can you offer recommendations for resolution? What part(s) can I buy to take care of the issue? Many thanks for any assistance you can offer.
VETTETECH
Member
Unfortunately, you are looking at some major repairs.....First thing is that right fender will have to be removed to assess all that is missing...Looks like you are missing part of the right side firewall/cowl section that is part of the main body structure..As far as replacement panels,what you will need will not be available by itself..You have to find a donor car and cut off what you will need to splice onto your car..I highly suggest you find someone in your area that is knowledgeable with C3 vette body repair..Not something for the amateur to fix...The attached picture should give you an idea of what is missiing
Joe
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #5
Missing cowl
Joe,
Thanks for the reply. I now understand what I dealing with. I do know of a Corvette place in town that should be able to help me out. We will see... Thanks again. Dan
Joe,
Thanks for the reply. I now understand what I dealing with. I do know of a Corvette place in town that should be able to help me out. We will see... Thanks again. Dan
- Thread starter
- #6
Missing part of the right side firewall/cowl section
Hello Joe,
I purchased the GM assembly manual and found that the cowl section that extends the firewall is not missing, but is damaged. According the assembly manual, the section that is damaged is one piece that attaches to the firewall. Looking at the picture you attached to your reply to me, it doesn't look like what I have. What year is that? I don't know of any C3 body specialists in my area so for now I have a Chevy collision center coming to my home to offer me a proposal. I may take it. Meanwhile I have the car on ramps and will see if I can remove the damaged part... I know I am reaching here, but I'll do whatever it takes to get this issue resolved. Many thanks. Dan
Hello Joe,
I purchased the GM assembly manual and found that the cowl section that extends the firewall is not missing, but is damaged. According the assembly manual, the section that is damaged is one piece that attaches to the firewall. Looking at the picture you attached to your reply to me, it doesn't look like what I have. What year is that? I don't know of any C3 body specialists in my area so for now I have a Chevy collision center coming to my home to offer me a proposal. I may take it. Meanwhile I have the car on ramps and will see if I can remove the damaged part... I know I am reaching here, but I'll do whatever it takes to get this issue resolved. Many thanks. Dan
VETTETECH
Member
All the body components are the same from 1969 through 1982...The fender is fastened to the cowl and is used to close out those structures...In your pictures, you can see the intake side of the blower motor. if the inner close out panel was there, the fan would be enclosed to allow the recirculation areas to function...I have never seen any replacement panels that are missing on your car available..Hence,you will need to find a donor car for the missing components..Looks like it was damaged in an impact and it amazes me that someone would replace that fender before repairing those structures first..
- Thread starter
- #8
You are absolutely right. I took it to a well know body shop that specializes in Corvettes. He too was amazed to find how good the car looked and to see what was missing. Lucky for me I was able to locate a 77 that has the parts needed. The shop cut the entire corner off of the dash/firewall. Not so lucky for me is the current cost estimate to cut the fender off and take care of the repairs.
Similar threads
Corvette Forums
Supporting Vendors
Dealers:
