firewall pad fasteners?

[rideblue00]

What are you guys using for attaching the firewall pad? I bought these, but they are hard as stone. The first one I went to pound in...blew up in pcs. I suppose I may not know how to install these. The second one I used a punch down the center hole on it. But didnt use a hammer, just tried pushing it in by hand. Once I got to the bottom, the head popped off. They also stripped the paint out of the hole, im not happy about that either. Any help would be appreciated.

[1963c-10]

There is a tool for it, most vendors sell them.
Link: http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-fi...roduct_Related

[Woogeroo]

Good info there 1963c-10. I've wondered about that one myself before.

For archival purposes or when the link 1963c-10 posted expires, anyone who wander in here in the future, look for this :

Chevy Firewall Pad Fastener Installation Tool

or a variation of those terms.

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This thread was added to the The Engine Bay category of your 60-66 FAQ Index.

-W

NOTE : if this link changes in the future, look for the sticky at the top of the 1960-66 Message Board.

[rideblue00]

so here's an addition: I tried installing the fasteners again last night, it didn't go so well. The fastener in the picture, the plastic is way too hard! So what I tried doing is heating the fastener and making it soft. It worked well enough to get them place but I still messed them up. I made my own tool on the lathe.the first tool that I made, the pin was too short on the end of it, so I bent two of them. So then I made another tool that had a longer pin, that was better but these things are still too hard to get in. They're also too long. When you heat them up, they cool down pretty quick, and two of them I had to pound them in and bent the firewall, I got pretty angry cuz the paint got messed up. I tried really hard to find some other type of fastener. I spent 3 hours on the computer looking for something, and most of them there was no dimensions to them that made it difficult.

[1963c-10]

rideblue00......who did you order them from? Might be worth notating so that if others chime in where they got theirs from.....might lead to which vendors to avoid on this particular part.

[Hx16457]

LMC has the same plastic ones BUT they also offer some rubber ones.
I had been referred to them also l, but have yet to order them. They are suppose to be much easier to install, as you can get a helper and start them from inside as the helper grabs them with some pliers under the hood. This helps pull them through.
Give it a go they are cheap and should get you fixed up!

[rideblue00]

I got them from Classic Parts Of America (Chevy Duty). I will be looking into the ones from LMC then. I don't like why i have and may replace them. Thanks Hx16457! Im sure people have installed the ones i have before, i just don't know the technique.

[AcampoDave]

I got them to go thru by working them into the hole side to side using both thumbs pushing off center alternating back and forth punching a rib halfway thru and then the other half, rib by rib until it bottomed out. I could not push them in straight. You know what I mean? I also used a helper on the engine side as well.

[rideblue00]

Well all i know is i was super po'd at the ones i have, lol

[69chevytrucker]

get the two piece ones like on newer cars you slide one piece in and push the other down the middle to lock it and then if needed you can use a flat screw driver to pop the middle out and take it out i will go take a pic of one

[69chevytrucker]

here like this

[rideblue00]

That looks interesting