71 Torino restoration question. rusted under dash
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1970-1971 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1970-1971 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=9805
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 3:05PM
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Topic: 71 Torino restoration question. rusted under dash
Posted By: wmcksmith
Subject: 71 Torino restoration question. rusted under dash
Date Posted: 15-September-2013 at 5:18AM
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My 71 4 door sedan 500 had a leak coming into the driver side floor. I was looking up under the dash, more specifically above the e-brake, and I noticed that there is a lot of rust up there. There is some kind of circular pan up there. The pan was completely rusted. I went to remove it, got one nut off and the rest of them just started ripping through the pan. I took it down and there is no way to salvage it. there is a circular metal band (about 2-3" tall around the perimeter also. My question is, how would water get in there? I assume it's coming through the firewall or under the windshield (which i have to replace anyway.) I don't know what the pan is. I can make a new one if I need to? Do i need to take it down to the firewall to fix this? I pulled the dash but i was really hoping that I did't have to get that far into it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please help my baby get back on the road!  ------------- 71 Torino 500 4 door |
Replies:
Posted By: stanman
Date Posted: 15-September-2013 at 6:14AM
| You may have the dreaded "cowl rot" disease. You have my sympathy. |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 15-September-2013 at 6:32AM
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sounds like you found the drivers side fresh air vent? and a lot of cowl rust the water gets in through the air vent holes in the cowl or in the hood depending which your car has, and all the water that runs down the windshield too probably to fix it you need to open the cowl, remove the top panel that you see from under the hood when you look at the top of the firewall. depending upon the method you choose to repair the rust damage you might be able to leave the dash in but since you have it out already... you won't have to worry about causing problems by not pulling it out. the bad news is that the fenders 99% need to come off for access to cut the spot welds and remove the top cowl panel, unless you try to cut a section out of it leaving the original spot welds and outer edges of the cowl panel attached to the car? the circular metal band was a 'standoff pipe' that keeps water from entering the hole & coming into the car. here's my reconstruction of a standoff pipe for my fresh air intake on the passenger side, my 1972 doesn't have the drivers side vent. I used a collar from the vent & duct section of the home improvement store as a starting point for the new standoff pipe  here's a link to the rest of the gallery http://www.supermotors.net/registry/10950/74222-2" rel="nofollow - http://www.supermotors.net/registry/10950/74222-2 ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 15-September-2013 at 6:36AM
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another option is to completely seal the top side of the cowl so no water can get in but you won't get any fresh air through the vents either. you'd have to disconnect(probably already done) the intake connections from the cowl & then you'd just be recirculating cabin air like it would on MAX A/C ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: wmcksmith
Date Posted: 15-September-2013 at 1:51PM
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Awesome. I know it would be a quick fix *sarcasm* Rockatansky - Those pictures help out a lot to see what I'm dealing with. Is there somewhere that the water coming in through the cowl is routed out to? I'm sorry to ask such beginner questions... but this is my first project car and I'm trying to do all the work myself. It helps to have some insight. Closing off the cowl might be the best solution for me. My friend did it with some plxi inserts on his 67 mustang. I just didn't like the look of it that much. Anyway, Thank you so much for the response. Looks like I have a big decision to make soon. ------------- 71 Torino 500 4 door |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 15-September-2013 at 2:11PM
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on my 72 there's a drain at each end tucked inside the fenders, and a drain in the middle over the top of the trans bell. they have rubber schnozzles on the drains from the factory that probably causes leaves & debris to clog them up, if they were wide open they might not clog? it is a big project to take on, and that's what we're all here for... ask away  BTW, I like the Moonshiner look your car has goin on ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: wmcksmith
Date Posted: 15-September-2013 at 3:56PM
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You're the second person to say that it looks like a moonshiners car. I'll let you know what I decide to do. Thanks again ------------- 71 Torino 500 4 door |