fire wall repairs

[jojoman]

i have got some firewall rust right in bottom behind the block and some behind the brake master cylinder do you guys know of any one who sells the fire wall or anything like that

[benoit454]

none that I know of, you just need some flat steel. cut it out and weld it in.

[jojoman]

is it possible to take off a whole fire wall out or no

[Aegeas]

I am going through this exact issue right now and it sounds like we have some of the same spots. I would think it would be easier to get a new cab than try to replace a whole firewall. That being said, all of the metal is flat, but razor thin when the rust gets to the back side of it. Even with a tiny wire welder you are going to blow holes left right and center. I would get a new cab or put new sheet metal across the surface. You are going to be miserable if you try to butt weld it and make it look smooth and factory. This I know from experience.

[jojoman]

dang i did not want to head in the=at direction but it does sound easier now to find a rust free cab

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by jojoman

dang i did not want to head in the=at direction but it does sound easier now to find a rust free cab

i've got one if you need it. It's in Austin.

[benoit454]

you could cut it all off and put on a new one. But you still have to find another cab to get it.

[jojoman]

man i wish they made panels for this im have to hit lmc up

[benoit454]

they do not have them nobody has firewall replacement pieces, not lmc, classic, paddock, brothers, nobody makes them that I am aware of.

[jojoman]

man that really bites you think they would even take it into consideration if we sent them a email about it

[benoit454]

doubtful but you never know. I junked a whole truck because of that same problem. I had a fist sized hole over the gas pedal and on the ps from the kickpanel under the dash all the way to the trans hump was gone about 3 inches tall all the way across. I saw a couple guys cut their firewalls out on here and make smooth ones, looked great, but you could patch them you just need flat steel cutting tools and a welder.

I know lmc makes the lower cowl area now which is hidden behind the fender, and then they make almost all the rest for the lower side of the cab just not a firewall.

[Big Blue]

I just crushed a cab for the same reason.
My nephew told me that his friend had a cab that was in great shape for $100.00. Went to look at it and he was not truthful. It had the typical chevy ROT, Rockers,floor, kick panels. Cab corners were great. I did not even think of looking at the firewall, how often do you see holes,rust on the firewall. The carpet and firewall pad hid the rot. I just looked for the normal stuff. Got it home started looking over the cab to see what I needed to do to the cab. I was shocked that the firewall had so much rot. It was around the heater box as well as the top of the firewall and under the power booster.
Felt it would be more trouble then it was worth. Sorry, had to scrape it.

Big Blue,John

[big_b]

i just finished repairing my firewall. i noticed my solid floors were wet and wondered why. i looked a little closer and saw that the factory seam sealer let go. all the water and muck sat in the the upper seam. it rusted a hole into the cab. it wasnt that hard of a repair. cut the bad pieces out and weld new pieces in.

[jojoman]

i just might tried it but man i really dont want to have that head ache

[red97k1500]

I have this same problem also, I have rust close to the brake booster.Its like water sat in cowl area or somthing. I dont know what i was thinking when i bought the truck lol, cause i knew it had rust.But im not gunna let it stop me. I fully 100% intend to repair the rust, i gunna cut out some patch pannels and burn them in. I know the truck will never be perfect, but thats not what im going for. Its guna be a rat rod/hot rod type truck. Here. I have some welding experience and i beleive i can patch the bad spots, i am going to shave the fire wall as well, get rid of the heaterbox blower motor and weld sheet metal in.
Here is a picture of my fire wall, if you look at the seam in the fire wall right above the disstributer you can see the rust.I realy should not have bought the truck in hinde sight, but for some reason i just had to have it lol.

[jojoman]

you have more pics of truck to see why you bought it

[red97k1500]

Originally Posted by jojoman

you have more pics of truck to see why you bought it

I paid $800 for it, but it ran and drove good when i got it till i blew the engine. i got just to give me something to do and have fun.I have always liked 73-87 chevy trucks.The truck is nothing special, Just a 79 c10 big10 lwb.350/350.These are the only pictures i have of it.Its still a solid enough truck for me to keep, i like it and dont have the heart to part it or scrap it.It is, was it is.There is also some rust in the floors, and one cab corner is rotted,but the rockers are solid,very rusty for a texas truck.

[big_b]

the fire wall/cowl area is one thing. if the rust is bad there imagine what its like on the opposite side, inside the cab. once water starts getting inside the cab your floors will rust from the inside out. not to mention youll be driving around in a sauna with out all the heat and steam! a quick fix is to pick the globby factory seam sealer out between the firewall/cowl/cab seam and then re-seam seal with a good quality sealer.