smooth firewall

[highlow]

quick simple question,
why don't more people weld holes up on the firewall to smooth it out? To me this seems to be the simple way to go. Anybody have any reasons as to why? Or give me the reasons why it is better to just buy a firewall.

[solidaxel]

It was easier to fill a portion than replace the whole fire wall for me!

[bfink]

i plan on starting to fill what seems like 500 holes in my firewall this weekend , we'll see how it goes!!

[robin58]

I did the same as solidaxel. Areas with a lot of holes I simply made a smaller panel to fit and weld in. Only advantage I could see going with an aftermarket one is to gain some additional space around the distributor using a setback firewall.

[pgf545]

I did the whole firewall because the old firewall was hacked beyond repair.

Bernie

[mylow53]

some of the issues you need to deal with on the smoothed or filled firewall are where the wireing harness goes and if your using ac where and how to connect your bulkhead fittings. i'm doing the filled not smoothed firewall and am hopeing to run my wires thru the inner fender. we will see... i still have 3 or 4 holes left.. i will probably leave the dash mounting bolts in, 4 nuts is't a big deal

[solidaxel]

I tried too keep all of my wires out of sight and the A/C plumbing to. I ran everything on the inside of the inner fenders, wiring on the left and the A/C on the right, I welded some bolts to the I/fenders and then some conduit and hid all the wires. to the lights The a/c hoses and dryer are where they would normally be on the i/fenders but on the wheel side. I entered the cab by making some holes in that area where the fenders bolt to the cab (there is enough room for 2 heater hoses and 2 a/c hoses). I ran the wires the same way on the drivers side.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I used a one piece fiberglass fire wall from Brother. It was simple to install and covers all the holes at once.

[Kim57]

I made my own from 16 gauge. The original was rusted and would have been just as much work to repair. I still need to mock up the engine position and make a relief for it.
Kim

[chevyrestoguy]

I got tired of welding up all the holes (58....yes, 58). Plus, I figured that it would have been a nightmare to do the bodywork and get it smooth due to all the raised rib areas. I needed a 3" setback for the big block to clear, so here's what I did:

[pgf545]

Here are a couple of pictures on my dads truck with the *****in firewall kit and floor.

[Bills_49]

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

I used a one piece fiberglass fire wall from Brother. It was simple to install and covers all the holes at once.

I like that set up, thats from brotherstrucks.com?

[lotussutol]

Originally Posted by Bills_49

I like that set up, thats from brotherstrucks.com?

It is located here on the brothers site...

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/prodin...number=FFC5559

I was looking at a setup like that too but I am going be mounting a firewall mounted brake setup on the firewall. I think the fiberglass would be weak and shatter and I am not sure if the original firewall underneath the fiberglass cover would be strong enough either.

This is what was done in my 52 chevy...It is an aluminum cut out to cover the firewall. I will probably do the same with the truck but do it in black this time.

[Kabwe]

Heres what I did.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by Bills_49

I like that set up, thats from brotherstrucks.com?

Lotus beat me to the answer, yes it is brotherstruck.com Here's a look at after paint.

[prostreeter58]

Here is the metal one from brothers...........same concept as Cal58's but this one is welded in over top of the original firewall.

[orgalmeister]

I filled the holes before and after pics

[lotussutol]

Originally Posted by orgalmeister

I filled the holes before and after pics

your hired! when can you start? j/k

Nice firewall! I was sanding on mine last night some. I am hoping to make some templates today so that I can have some 1/4" aluminum panels made to fill in the firewall.