55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

I just finished replacing a firewall on a 56 and thought I would share the info. The idea was to clean up the firewall and smooth out the upper section. The owner wanted to get a premade firewall that was recessed but cost was a big factor in they way we did this one. As you can see the original was very damaged from a clutch explosion and far beyond repairing. We priced a firewall and floor section at about $675 plus about $150 in shipping. We also priced a sheet of 16 gage 4'X8' @ $38.00. We went with the 4x8 sheet.

The pictures that follow are fairly self explanitory but I'll fill in where I think some detail is needed.

We made a cardboard template that fit the way we wanted the completed firewall to look. Using a hot glue gun to attach the various pieces and firm up the model made it much easier.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

With the model done we removed it and cut it apart where we wanted the folds and cuts to be. The technique we used to do the bends on 16 ga without a brake was making cuts along the bend lines with a plasma torch. The .030 slits were easily welded up when we were at that point. At each bend point we made a cut 1" long a 1/4" from the end and followed that pattern of 1" 1/4" all the way to the end of the bend.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

We bent the panel into place by hand and proceeded to the next panel.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

We cut out and tacked in place the other pieces just like a puzzle.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

nice work, you have to love plasma cutters.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

Next we bent the toe boards into place.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

We trimmed out the original toe boards filled in the toe area. All thats left it to mate up the toe to the original floor.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

We didn't cut out the lip that goes around the firewall we will use a 2" strip of the original firewall we left in plce to weld the new firewall to. We left enough all the way around to put plenty of rosette welds and not have to disturb the original spots welds. We end up with a very flat smooth firewall.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

Nice job on the firewall! But I have to ask, how did the old firewall get so banged up?

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

Thanks,,
From what I was told the clutch exploded during a drag race. I have only heard about flywheels coming through the bell housing and the damage it can cause but never seen the actual results until now. I'm sure there was an equally large brown spot under the driver seat when it happened.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

Looks awesome!

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

When I was 18 we hand grenaded a clutch in a 55 Chevy (built 327, Muncie 4 speed). I was riding passenger. BIG bang and the windshield exploded. It had 3 holes in the top of the dash, schrapnel in the radio and heater and multiple holes in the floor boards. We were lucky that it missed our feet. We tossed the aluminum bellhousing. After that when guys started reving them up I would pull my feet up unless I was driving.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

Maybe the NHRA had the right idea on bell housings.
I don't remember who but a famous Top Fuel driver lost part of a foot like that back when the engines were in the front of the driver.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

:metal: love the cab dolly think I know what I'll do with the scrape frame in my backyard

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

It worked out perfectly. I would use solid wheels next time the same size.
Once the cab is bolted down you can replace just about anything and be sure it hasn't sprung out of place.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

Don Garlits, first to run rear end AA/F because of it.

Re: 55-59 Firewall Replacement
 

You might want to double check that Garlits was the 1st. the Kaiser Bros., Bernie Schacker, Duane Ong, Duane Ong won an AHRA event with a Woody Gilmore car before Garlits built his. No doubt of the clutch explosion and the damage done

dwcsr - Firewall looks great.