Firewall Flex = Cowl Paint Cracks.

[Big Sugar]

How many of you 66-70 B-Body owners have paint cracks in the cowl at the base of the "A" pillar ? This is an inherant weak spot, I've also got a Crack at the top of the
"A"pillar where it meets the roof Along the door opening. I'm just wondering if anyone has addressed this issue,
     I've installed Subframe connectors,XV motorsports inner fender brace as well as the lower rad support brace, and Auto Rust Tech's Front torque Boxes. in the hopes that this will limit the amout of front end movement. Next I'm installing a new AMD front rad support assembly and possibly XV's engine support brace
There is a OLD school Mopar Guy in Ontario who welds a extra support plate to the insides of the front framerails to help tighten up the flex at the front end  when he's installing Big Blocks in original Small Block Mopars.
I'm thinking this is where tha actuall Flex is coming from as everything else is much lighter in Gauge.
Is this a losing battle ? Cause  tightening up the front end may make other weak spots more apparant ?

I'll post some pics Shortly

Ron

[Finn]

I have subframe connectors and torque boxes (both welded on) and I'm still getting the paint crack. Should be noted that it is only on the side I removed the lead and used some fiberglass body filler stuff (which was suppose to alleviate the cracking problem from flex ).

[elacruze]

Both sides are cracked on mine. The body guy took the panel off to find out why, but nothing was under there either. It was a 318 auto car, and was cracked when I got it in 1980. It may have more to do with Dirt-Road Duking than with engine power. Just a guess.

[Charger-Bodie]

Some of the time its not so much about flex in that spot as it is rust under the lead used to smooth that seam. The rust builds up under the lead, bubbles it up, and eventually it cracks.

[terrible one]

Wow, you learn something new every day! I always wondered what this was. I have these same "cracks" but the portion is raised and kind of follows 1HotDaytonas theory.

[vancamp]

i had a 66 satellite that cracked in that same area, it ws an actual crack under the lead welded it up releaded and added frame connectors from u.s. cartool

[Patronus]

Some of the time its not so much about flex in that spot as it is rust under the lead used to smooth that seam. The rust builds up under the lead, bubbles it up, and eventually it cracks.

agreed..., dig it out a little and you may find its the lead cracking off, not the sheet metal. Mine had quite the depression after prep. work.

[Highbanked Hauler]

Some of the time its not so much about flex in that spot as it is rust under the lead used to smooth that seam. The rust builds up under the lead, bubbles it up, and eventually it cracks.

Yep what he said.   I would also question the quality of the metal because my sons Challenger had cracks in the floor,cowl,and some bolt on parts