Weldless Firewall Shaving??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevjayfsd · 10-06-2004, 10:53 PM

My engine bay is really bugging me... Especially the damn heater/air box sitting on the firewall like a sore thumb... I want to get rid of this and just cover up the holes, as this is not a daily driver and I really don't need either(air/heat)... What would be the best way to do it without having to weld or repaint? Would you make some sort of mask (aluminum, sheet metal) and just paint it and screw it in with some paint matched or chrome beauty screws?
The reason I don't want to actually shave the firewall is because I don't want to have to dissassemble the whole front end...

What do yall think??

*Shane* · 10-06-2004, 11:10 PM

find yourself a friend who is a machinist and have him make you some billet aluminum covers .... hmmmm ... that gives me an idea.

What would this be worth to ya?

Anyone?

chevjayfsd · 10-06-2004, 11:13 PM

I have thought of this but, i don't want the plates to stick out that much... i would rather it look smooth and rreeedddd!!!

Thanks

chickenwing · 10-06-2004, 11:16 PM

Good lookin bay you have there!!!! I've saw factory delete plates. Least I think they were factory. I understand you not wanting to remove the front clip. You have lots of stuff to scrape up... It is so EASY though. Looks like you have an abundance of talent. Pull it and shave it!!

Primered_69 · 10-06-2004, 11:23 PM

He ct them to fit and attached them with screws. I liked it. I thought it gave it the old hot rod look.

chevjayfsd · 10-07-2004, 10:34 AM

thanks chicken wing... Anyone else have ideas???

**gregfull** · 10-07-2004, 10:37 AM

When you buy a Sure-Fit kit from Vintage Air, which mounts behind the dash, they send an abs plastic cover for the holes which could be painted to match the firewall. Plus you still have A/C.

chevjayfsd · 10-07-2004, 10:42 AM

thanks, but i don't wanna spend 1000 on something i would hardly use. I have never driven my truck with the windows up, so I would have no use for vintage air...

chickenwing · 10-07-2004, 10:43 AM

Contact em and see if they will sell you just the delete plate.

**gregfull** · 10-07-2004, 12:02 PM

Ditto

Burnsman · 10-07-2004, 12:11 PM

I made autocad drawings and had them laser me some where I used to work. I made some out of aluminum and some out of stainless (sheetmetal). I tried the brush finish aluminum and the polished stainless. I ended up painting them in my pro street truck to match the color of the truck. Personal preference I guess. I used polished button head screws to mount them through the factory holes. That way, I could remove the plate and add the heater box later if I wanted. I just sold a factory delete plate on ebay. I always wanted one. But once I saw how ugly they were, I think I'll stick to my plates. I can't find the dxf files, so I'll have to make some new ones when the time comes.

DevinM · 10-07-2004, 11:41 PM

It's hard to see, but here's a link.
http://truckstv.com/images/uploads/e...-06200x125.jpg
If that doesn't work, try
http://truckstv.com/show_details.aspx?iid=1558
Photo #6.

*1972C10* · 10-08-2004, 02:01 AM

Just take some 1/8 plate steel Then make a templete out of cardboard or poster board paper .. Do a good job cutting it out grind the edges really smooth with a flap disc sand it all down prime puttty prime it some more sanding between coats block sand the hell out of it and you would have some slick covers.

**GSFMECH** · 10-08-2004, 02:18 AM

The dirt track boys use aluminum sheet to build their bodys. It is real easy to work with and you can get in all colors but it is paintable. I had a 70 SS Chevelle drag car once and I used this stuff to blank my heater/ac openings. Painted to match you had to look real hard to see that it wasn't welded up and smoothed. I riveted mine on and then when we painted the car, shot the firewall and all to match.It was sharp.Any dirt track racer can show you the stuff and where to get it.

10-06-2004, 10:53 PM	#1
chevjayfsd Project 7dos Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 876	Weldless Firewall Shaving??? My engine bay is really bugging me... Especially the damn heater/air box sitting on the firewall like a sore thumb... I want to get rid of this and just cover up the holes, as this is not a daily driver and I really don't need either(air/heat)... What would be the best way to do it without having to weld or repaint? Would you make some sort of mask (aluminum, sheet metal) and just paint it and screw it in with some paint matched or chrome beauty screws? The reason I don't want to actually shave the firewall is because I don't want to have to dissassemble the whole front end... What do yall think?? Attached Images __________________ 7DOS - 1972 C-10 350/350 Porterbuilt/Accuair 20x8.5/20x10 Ride Low or Die PSSST - Yes it's bagged. 7dos build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610290

10-06-2004, 11:13 PM	#3
chevjayfsd Project 7dos Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 876	I have thought of this but, i don't want the plates to stick out that much... i would rather it look smooth and rreeedddd!!! Thanks __________________ 7DOS - 1972 C-10 350/350 Porterbuilt/Accuair 20x8.5/20x10 Ride Low or Die PSSST - Yes it's bagged. 7dos build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610290

10-06-2004, 11:16 PM	#4
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	Good lookin bay you have there!!!! I've saw factory delete plates. Least I think they were factory. I understand you not wanting to remove the front clip. You have lots of stuff to scrape up... It is so EASY though. Looks like you have an abundance of talent. Pull it and shave it!! __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

10-06-2004, 11:23 PM	#5
Primered_69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,409	Copperhead used stainless steel planels He ct them to fit and attached them with screws. I liked it. I thought it gave it the old hot rod look. __________________ 1969 Chevy LWB - with shaved handles; 3 1/2 front/ 5 1/2 rear drop; (waiting to be put back together)

10-07-2004, 10:37 AM	#7
gregfull Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Richmond, Texas Posts: 598	When you buy a Sure-Fit kit from Vintage Air, which mounts behind the dash, they send an abs plastic cover for the holes which could be painted to match the firewall. Plus you still have A/C. __________________ My Suburban Project 72 Suburban 68 SWB 57 Belair 55 Cameo 06 Chevy 1/2 ton crew 09 Suburban

10-06-2004, 11:10 PM	#2
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	find yourself a friend who is a machinist and have him make you some billet aluminum covers .... hmmmm ... that gives me an idea. What would this be worth to ya? Anyone?

10-07-2004, 10:34 AM	#6
chevjayfsd Project 7dos Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 876	thanks chicken wing... Anyone else have ideas??? __________________ 7DOS - 1972 C-10 350/350 Porterbuilt/Accuair 20x8.5/20x10 Ride Low or Die PSSST - Yes it's bagged. 7dos build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610290

10-07-2004, 10:42 AM	#8
chevjayfsd Project 7dos Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 876	thanks, but i don't wanna spend 1000 on something i would hardly use. I have never driven my truck with the windows up, so I would have no use for vintage air... __________________ 7DOS - 1972 C-10 350/350 Porterbuilt/Accuair 20x8.5/20x10 Ride Low or Die PSSST - Yes it's bagged. 7dos build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610290

10-07-2004, 10:43 AM	#9
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	Contact em and see if they will sell you just the delete plate. __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

10-07-2004, 12:02 PM	#10
gregfull Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Richmond, Texas Posts: 598	Ditto __________________ My Suburban Project 72 Suburban 68 SWB 57 Belair 55 Cameo 06 Chevy 1/2 ton crew 09 Suburban

10-07-2004, 12:11 PM	#11
Burnsman Chevy Freak Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Meadville, Pa. Posts: 2,804	firewall delete I made autocad drawings and had them laser me some where I used to work. I made some out of aluminum and some out of stainless (sheetmetal). I tried the brush finish aluminum and the polished stainless. I ended up painting them in my pro street truck to match the color of the truck. Personal preference I guess. I used polished button head screws to mount them through the factory holes. That way, I could remove the plate and add the heater box later if I wanted. I just sold a factory delete plate on ebay. I always wanted one. But once I saw how ugly they were, I think I'll stick to my plates. I can't find the dxf files, so I'll have to make some new ones when the time comes. __________________ 69 GMC SWB, 350 70 Chevy LWB, 350 55 chevy gasser, 461 73 Camaro, 496 67 RS Camaro, 406 64 Chevelle, 588 71 Nova, 565 67 Camaro, 461

10-07-2004, 11:41 PM	#12
DevinM Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Deerfield, MA USA Posts: 198	It's hard to see, but here's a link. http://truckstv.com/images/uploads/e...-06200x125.jpg If that doesn't work, try http://truckstv.com/show_details.aspx?iid=1558 Photo #6. __________________ '71 Chevy C-10 - Current '62 Imapla SS - Traded for my current '73 Nova Hatch - traded for ATC-350X '73 Chevelle Deluxe - First car (R.I.P) DEERFIELD, MA

10-08-2004, 02:01 AM	#13
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Just take some 1/8 plate steel Then make a templete out of cardboard or poster board paper .. Do a good job cutting it out grind the edges really smooth with a flap disc sand it all down prime puttty prime it some more sanding between coats block sand the hell out of it and you would have some slick covers.

10-08-2004, 02:18 AM	#14
GSFMECH On the road Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NATCHITOCHES LOUISIANA Posts: 816	The dirt track boys use aluminum sheet to build their bodys. It is real easy to work with and you can get in all colors but it is paintable. I had a 70 SS Chevelle drag car once and I used this stuff to blank my heater/ac openings. Painted to match you had to look real hard to see that it wasn't welded up and smoothed. I riveted mine on and then when we painted the car, shot the firewall and all to match.It was sharp.Any dirt track racer can show you the stuff and where to get it. __________________ Mike Castro- 72 SWB. Ochre and White. 496/400 turbo, GV OD ,Dakota Digital dash , tilt, Vintage Air, PS, hydro boost, factory buckets, console, QA-1 Coil over suspension, 20/20"Billet Specialties Magnetos 72 SWB. Med blue. 454/400 turbo, tach, tilt, Stock AC, PS,PDB, factory buckets, console, ECE 4/6 drop w/ 2" blocks and C-notch, 20/20"Coys- Crashed and destroyed by drunk driver Sept 2019. New 72 build in the works. My new build thread "Castro" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=820934 My old build thread, the blue truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=271489 www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com



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