|
01-31-2021, 07:54 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 194
Likes: 47
Liked 68 Times in 22 Posts
|
Cowl area at back of hood
I have 98 camaro that I run in stock eliminator. Can I cut out part of the metal cowl area to make getting the engine in and out? My rubber seal that seals against hood in rear is not in the best shape. Can I remove it? I will keep the plastic part that goes all the way across. Just not much room to get the engine out without having to turn it sideways. Pictures would be nice.
|
02-01-2021, 03:42 AM | #2 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Texarkana Ark/TX
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 435
Liked 678 Times in 262 Posts
|
Re: Cowl area at back of hood
Nope, don't believe that modification is legal. You might try a little mis adjustment on the hood to get the back up, but no cutting.
__________________
Adger Smith (Former SS) |
02-01-2021, 10:13 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 504
Likes: 7
Liked 352 Times in 82 Posts
|
Re: Cowl area at back of hood
I have seen numerous Camaros, Firebirds, Cavaliers, G5s, etc. with a removable windshield washer "tray" and plastic leaf screen. Take a look at almost any MPR-built car and you'll see what I'm talking about. My Cavalier's tray and screen are completely removable, right to the base of the windshield, and when they are back in place, the car looks completely unmodified. Makes a HUGE difference in engine removal and re-installation.
|
02-01-2021, 11:25 AM | #4 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 329
Liked 280 Times in 150 Posts
|
Re: Cowl area at back of hood
fabricate a piece of the size of the area that you are removing and keep it place with DZUS fasteners
|
02-01-2021, 11:37 AM | #5 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Miles From Nowhere
Posts: 7,418
Likes: 2,582
Liked 4,453 Times in 1,694 Posts
|
Re: Cowl area at back of hood
You can't remove the rubber lip/ seal from the back of any hood...in case anyone looks.
__________________
We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for..... Will Rogers |
Liked |
02-01-2021, 12:39 PM | #6 | |
VIP Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 693
Liked 1,457 Times in 543 Posts
|
Re: Cowl area at back of hood
Quote:
|
|
02-01-2021, 01:25 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 504
Likes: 7
Liked 352 Times in 82 Posts
|
Re: Cowl area at back of hood
Thanks for the clarification. I assumed that, since all of the removable panels I've seen have been fabrication-modified such that they look virtually unchanged, and can be bolted right back in (essentially only making a non-removable piece removable), they would be OK. Apparently not. Getting the engine out of a 4th Gen Camaro/Firebird must be brutal, when you can't get the cowl out of the way!
|
02-01-2021, 01:56 PM | #8 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 25
Liked 510 Times in 200 Posts
|
Re: Cowl area at back of hood
When I had my ‘97 Firebird Stocker I made an extension for my engine hoist and cut the front of the square tube to clear the area behind the hood.
Also attached the hoist to the engine as tight as possible to the intake. I left the hood on and just propped it up higher. Had to turn engine sideways a little and removed probably the water pump and distributer and maybe balancer. It’s been a while so I don’t recall exactly. I did add a lot of weights to my engine hoist to counter the extension and keep it from flipping over. I saw that happen by some guys pulling a BB out of an MPR built Firebird and luckily no one was hit other than some minor damage on the cars nose. I know there is a plate made to attach to those engines for lifting but I dreamed up something else and think it was a spreader bar with chains that I bolted to 4 exhaust port flange holes. The cowl stuff just got pushed out of the way as needed.
__________________
Rich Biebel S/C 1479 |
02-01-2021, 05:35 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 885
Likes: 63
Liked 221 Times in 102 Posts
|
Re: Cowl area at back of hood
When I had my 97 Firehawk , I always removed the whole front cradle through the bottom . I made a rolling cart that carried the cradle , and lifted the body up with my hoist . I have seen video's of people lifting the front of the car up using a cherry picker . What is so nice about this method is the engine, trans , headers and complete front suspension come out together , by undoing a minimal number of easy to get at bolts .
|
02-01-2021, 06:30 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 753
Likes: 74
Liked 502 Times in 135 Posts
|
Re: Cowl area at back of hood
I have taken mine out from the bottom and can do it far quicker from the top using one of these. I disconnect the hood struts, bungee it back, and pull the plastic pins holding the cowl in place.
https://tpis.com/products/9_hhk299?v...28342560555080 |
|
|