26/27 cowl on 23 body

[thebearded1]

I've got an odd question. Would a 1926-27 Model T cowl fit over a 1923 cowl? I have a 1923 style fiberglass body on my car but like the higher hood line of the 26/27. I figured if I could find a decent cowl I could slip it over the front of the fiberglass body and either rivet it on or try to make it look like one piece. I may just keep an eye out for a metal 26/27 body but that's going to be a lot more than a cowl.

 

[old round fart]

It’s fiberglass! You can make it fit with enough time and effort.

 

[Spanky]

Keep in mind that the 27 cowl is also longer, and if you mount it as you describe it will extend into the area where the engine is.

 

[EX JUNK]

That is exactly what I have on my T. It's registered as a '25 and I say that it is a prototype for the '26 and '27 T's. It also gives me more legroom than the '23 style cowl.

Jim

 

[thebearded1]

I had completely forgotten about this thread since I didn't get email notifications. Thanks every for the input. I'm holing off and just keeping the current cowl although I'd like some more room. I will keep an eye out for another complete body if a deal comes along.

 

[Spanky]

You can also gain leg room by dropping the floor in the pedal area, something I am considering doing to my '23.

 

[fluidfloyd]

You can also gain leg room by dropping the floor in the pedal area, something I am considering doing to my '23.

No reason you can not put the floor flush against the bottom surface of the frame rails. On a excising
car you might have to get creative with cross members already in place. New build you can allow for that. Nothing wrong with a cross member being above the floor in my opinion.
I also like the longer cowl. Lot more usable space u behind the dash. I have done that in several road racing sports cars.

This is the path I am taking in my evolving design process as time allows. Work and the VA are keeping me pretty busy right now.

Your Car, Your Rules!
George

 

[thebearded1]

That is exactly what I have on my T. It's registered as a '25 and I say that it is a prototype for the '26 and '27 T's. It also gives me more legroom than the '23 style cowl.

Jim

Digging up this old thread. Exjunk, where did you find a 26/26 cowl? or did you just cut one off another body

 

[Spanky]

It might be easier, to just buy a 27 body from one of the suppliers. You can marry a 27 cowl to an existing 23 body, but it's a lot of work, and of course you have to find a 27 cowl that's decent.

 

[thebearded1]

It might be easier, to just buy a 27 body from one of the suppliers. You can marry a 27 cowl to an existing 23 body, but it's a lot of work, and of course you have to find a 27 cowl that's decent.

That would require a lot of work too having to redo the interior, wiring and relocating the rear axle so it lines up with the turtle deck better.

The reason i was thinking about the later T cowl was because my firewall is about 1.5" lower than the top of my grill so it would look wierd if I added a hood. I can't go any lower with the radiator or grill either. Not sure if I could lift the body any higher either plus that would require me redoing the steering shaft.

 

[thebearded1]

I've never done fiberglass work before but i guess one possibility would be to make a taller firewall then build up the current cowl to the height i need at the firewall by shaping it with foam and laying glass on top

 

[LongJohn]

E junk scratch built his bucket. If you get back in his posts he did a good explanation of how he did it.

 

[Neshkoro]

Speaking of EX JUNK, has anyone heard from him lately. I used to enjoy his posts. And he had a couple of nice cars, too!

 

[lincolnuT]

Ex Junk passed away about 2 years ago....RIP.......

 

[thebearded1]

Ex Junk passed away about 2 years ago....RIP.......

Sorry to hear that. I have read a bunch of his old posts which we were very helpful.

 

[Spanky]

R.I.P. Jim Hoffman 07/2023

 

[Neshkoro]

Sad to hear that! RIP.

 

[choppedtop]

Sorry to hear also. Jim always had good posts.

 

[Hackerbilt]

I'm shocked that the passing of Ex Junk wasn't reported here in a timely fashion. Even more so considering he was a Moderator! He seemed a very nice person. May he Rest in Peace.

 

[Spanky]

He was also a member of the NTBA, and his passing was noted there. Sometimes we can't cover all the bases . . .