Cowl Vent on my XY

[TeddyXY71]

Just a couple of quick questions about the cowl vent on my '71 XY (I think that's the correct name, I mean the vent just in front of the windscreen that the wipers poke through..) As far as I can see there are a couple of bolts on the front that if undone should allow it to come out. Is it that simple? If I undo the bolts will it just lever/pivot off the car? Second, the wipers will have to be removed for this to happen; is there anything special I should know before trying to pull the wipers off. I've had a brief look, but I can't see the exact mechanism that locks them onto the wiper stubs. How exactly do they attach/detach?

Many thanks in advance.

Regards,

Teddy

 

[addo]

Wiper clips can vary. It will either be hidden by the arm (pull it back and look), or 180° opposite. Usually a small flat-bladed screwdriver is needed to loosen the clip, then you persevere wiggling the wiper hub off the spindle.

Note the spindle dress nut may be octagonal. Generally, the seal along the cowl will need replacing when you reinstall, and the wiper bezel seals may too. Dab any bare metal (paint chipping or flaking) with waterproof grease when reassembling. If you can spare $13 for a tube of Castrol APX-T this is a good all-round waterproof grease that does wheel bearings and urethane suspension bushes too.

Watch for redbacks!

 

[TeddyXY71]

Redbacks must come standard with XY's. I've got my fair share of them! Various areas cop a spray of Mortein every now and then just to keep the population down. Then there's the Black spiders in the doors. They get the same treatment as the Redbacks.

Teddy

 

[TeddyXY71]

Thanks Addo,
got to the vent today and managed to get it off without too much angst! Wipers came off after a little prying and WD-40. I am planning to test out a version of the "$50 dollar paint job" with it. The vent only has a bit of surface rust which should sand off easily, after which I'll paint.

Cheers,

Teddy

 

[addo]

Get a spraycan of Galmet "Keytite Etch Primer" or Wurth "Acid #8". Handy for sealing any fresh bare chips between when they're spotted, and when you get around to them. The Keytite is cheaper but less weight in the tin.