Cleaning out leaves in cowl?

[FORDification]

Sure you can. In fact, it's easier to clean out that side with a factory A/C then it is with a standard heater box. The A/C is connected to that kickpanel area with a rubber bellows and a clamp. Simply remove the clamp, slide the bellows out of the way and stick your hand in.

[Ranchero50]

Yeah, try to avoid the water as well, it just makes a goopy mess. I used an air gun from all angles and it blasted the leaves to peices and they flew out pretty quickly. You should be able to unbolt the rear of the fenders, flex them out a little and put an extension on the air hose to blow them out.

Jamie

[1971ford]

only if i had a airgun. and a compressor.

[Ranchero50]

Does your school have a wood or metal shop? Never hurts to ask. Even some mom and pop garages may be willing to let you use their air.

Jamie

[1971ford]

school doesnt have anything. its lame, not even an automotive club or anything.

i forgot, my friend has a compressor, i could borrow that. ill ask after ive tried fishing some out with my hands. where would be the best place to blast?

[FORDification]

I would just manually remove the leaves by hand as described above, making sure the drain hole is open, and then run water down through the cowl vents. The water should go out the drain hole, taking any small leaf remnants with it. Repeat as necessary.

[1971ford]

^ will do. thanks

[1971ford]

well i couldnt fit even my knuckles through the kick panel and heat/ac gap so i had to do it all with the hose. i let water run through the vents for about 15 sec. and then i would just stick my fingers through the drain holes and dig the leaves out. I did this about 20 times each side until the holes were squeaky clean. now they are both leave free, my hands and arms feel like they are going to fall off, im pretty muddy but it was well worth keeping the rust out of the cowl.
i think everyone should do this that hasnt done it. it would be 1 million times easier with out the fenders bolted on though.

oww. my wrist hurts!

[moparmania]

Well, I finally got around to doing this. Started with the left side. Pulled the emergency brake, then the plastic vent. I stuck my hand in there and there was 40 years of crud. Once I got it all out, there was just a bunch of fine compost! I then blew the cowl with air and all of the new leaves came down and then I got rid of them. Finally, I vacuumed it clean. Then I put everything together, left side done. Since I have air, the right side had the bellows like Keith described. Problem is, I couldn't get my hand in there. I tried to get the bellows off by taking out the bolts but only could get to the front ones. I kind of pulled it away and was able to pull some stuff out, but not like the left side. There's still a bunch of junk in there. I really wanted to vacuum that side out like the left. My problem is that my truck sits outside and junk gets in there every day. I would have to do this cleanup every month to keep it clean.

[1971ford]

there are drain holes in the cowl. if you can get your fingers in the drain holes you can pull it all out. thats how i did both sides of mine. my wrist is still pretty scratched up though.

now i have to do my 69. i can see major build up in the 69, twice as bad as the 71.

[fordman]

you can also go from under the cab and pick stuff out through the bottom where the hole is at.

[1971ford]

isnt that what i said? or is it something else?