Re: S/W Town Sedan

Posted by Sam Guthrie on August 05, 1998 at 00:05:36

In Reply to: S/W Town Sedan
posted by Brad on August 04, 1998 at 23:20:29

Hello Brad.
My cousin and I have restored two 1931 S/W 4drs, a 160-A and a 160-B.Plus I own a 160-C and another 160-A.In all of these it was evident that the panel above the windshield (header cover) was installed after the wood header.At the top of each windshield post directly in front of the gutter is where the factory welded the two pieces together.We used a hack-saw to carefully remove the panel.Start by unbolting the front upper cowl section where it makes contact with the door header area.This includes the bolts in the front door jams and the bolts going into the wood header itself.Once all of the bolts have been removed the entire cowl section can be tipped away from the body by hinging on the lower body rails.The gap only needs to be far enough to clear the rain gutters on each side.This allows complete access to the factory welded areas.You should now be able to look in each side and see how the factory overlapped and welded it together.Now begin from the rear of the panel when viewing the panel from the side and cut along the welded area horizontally.Come around to front and cut at a downward 45 degree angle to intersect the corner of the windshield opening.With both sides cut in this manner the panel should be removable.
Be very careful to properly line up the old weld areas when putting the panel back on.Also we have used two different wood kits and both required some fitting before the panel would fit properly.
To answer your second question, original hood tops in good shape are very hard to find.I suggest buying a complete new hood.In the long run you will be happier with a perfect hood.
If you have any questions email me at spg1931@aol.com
Good Luck!
Sam

Follow Ups:
Thanks for the help!! Brad August 06, 1998 at 09:00:00(0)

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