Has anyone welded up fender to cowl area?

[kellzey]

Has anybody out there welded up the area between the front fenders and the windshield cowl? Normall that little thin seal goes there?

Are there advantages/disadvantages for doing it?

Does anyone have any pics?

Thanks,

[1bad914]

This is not the best picture, but you get the idea. I like the smooth appearence. This picture was taken shortly after I painted the car, thus the unfinished appearence.

[1bad914]

Opps! Pic did not take the first time!

[M. Hendrix]

I love the early look.

My black 74 has retro early bumpers, this is something I also plan on doing when the body work starts.

Damn, I want to stay home, and fiddle with car stuff..

(runs off crying)


M

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Very early 1970 914s had a filled-in seam there. No adverse effects that I know of, as long as you get it cleaned out correctly and rust-proofed beforehand.

--DD

[jackmech]

Are you supposed to be able to slide the "seal" plastic piece in and out at will? Or to say it differently, how do I replace it when I paint my car?

[Howard H]

When I bought my 914 about 5 years ago, the PO had just repainted the car, and clear coated it. He had filled in the seam (presumably with bondo), and everthing looked pretty good. Within 6 months, however, the paint cracked at the cowl seam on both sides of the car.

Maybe my chassis just has too much flex, but it seems to me that the manufacturer put the plastic inserts there for a reason. When I can no longer tolerate looking at the cracked paint I will have the filler removed, and have the plastic inserts re-inserted.

Just my $0.02.

Howard

[Va914]

Do you need the seal at all? What if you just left it out? I am having my '74 repainted and was planning on leaving the seal out.

Will I get water problems in places I don't want them

Cheers
Kerry

[david914]

While not totally waterproof, using the seals will keep 99% pof the water out if properly installed. Leaving them out just invites trouble as water will just sit in the groove as well as travel underneath the trunk weatherstripping.

[Zeke]

Seal it with polyurethane caulk, with or without the plastic gizmo. Get it well dwn in the gap and wipe clean. Modern day body shops use a lot of poly caulk to waterproof and to stop sqeaks. Most primers go right over it no problem.

[Biggy72]

That would be an awful lot of bondo to be used. If it was all welded up there wouldn't be a problem.

[Will98D]

I think I'll use the caulk Zeke recommends plus the rubber welting. The welting alone concerns me, as I think it is what trapped the dirt and moisture to create the rust I now have.

[Bee Jay]

My painter welded up the seams with brass. He said brass was less prone to cracking.
Bee Jay
www.picturetrail.com/beejay7