radiator replacement and wiper cowl question

[pimpinphil]

hello,
new project here,i need to replace my radiator support, and am wondering weather to buy a new one,or replace with a factory one? you guys have any input on this,i wonder weather the aftermarket with fit properly,and it cost a little over $100 plus shipping, however there is a festy in the local yard with a good one,just need to take the time to take it out.


also, am i completely nuts or did they weld the "wiper cowl" in these cars? the piece right behind the hood. i cant seem to find any bolts holding it in there,thanks i am planning on putting a 1.8 into it after i get the body work fixed up,i just spent $50 filling up my daily driver,and was kind of it.

[Festiva_Fred]

The cowl is welded on.

[bravekozak]

lousy design

The cowl also has no screen in it. So all kinds of leaves and debris fill up in there. I have a long thin snake tube adapter for my Shop Vac. I can get everything through both access plates.

[Tim]

Do you mean the radiator or the support bar that spans the front of the engine bay?

If it's the support you're replacing, just find an umolested Festiva and drill out the welds. Should be significantly less than $100, and you may luck out and find one that matches your paint...

Or do what I did and cut out a good section that's slightly longer than your damaged area, and rivet it in.


-Tim

[pimpinphil]

i meant the support. yea thats how we took mine off,was by drilling out the rivets. it wasnt to bad,just didnt know if it would make more since to buy a new one or not, im going to call the j/y tommorow and ask how much. is there any way of getting that wiper cowl off with out damage?and possibly replace it on mine without to much of a hassel? i mean thats about the dumbest thing i have ever seen. what was they thinking???

[jmye1524]

I'm not sure, but that wiper cowl may also be tied in with windshield seam. I would be very careful trying to remove it in case it is. Wouldn't want to have to replace that as well. I'm sure some one here knows for sure and will chime in.