Chimney Crown Replacement Help

[HoustonTexas]

I have a house in Houston built in the late 60s. I didn’t expect to find wood when I demoed… wanted to see if anyone agrees with one of my fixes or has a suggestion.
As you can see in the pictures previously the pseudo drip edge was made from overhanging brick and the crown was very thin. The clay flue has bricks on top of it (really the flue should protrude above the crown I believe).
I was going to do one of two things:
1) put down angle iron as a support. Next put down cement board to the edge of the outer brick as a bond break. Put a temporary filler around the flue brick to keep it from contacting the crown. Put a wood frame around the outer brick and put a 2” Overhang 2” minimum thickness crown with built in drip edge.
2) remove the bricks on top of the flue and remove 3-4 layers of outer brick to bring the clay flue Above the crown. And then do all of the above in #1.

 

[HoustonTexas]

I guess option c is to remove the brick on the flue and add an extra flue section.

 

[condoowner]

Curious to see what you'll be doing cause I have the same, although not as deteriorated (my house is from '78). Not much of an expert, but I would tend to agree the flue should protrude past the crown.

I tend to make hand sketches and post them so people can understand without confusion what you think of doing. Personally I'd extend the flue and not tear down good brickwork....

I notice you dont have infill (there's nothing between the flue and outer brick layer??)