Hi guys..

I know there are several of you that bookmark threads by important words, topics, names, etc. I'm not in your club...but should be.

I know I've seen threads on cleaning up/replacing/covering firewalls but the search option leaves me barren.

I think I'm primarily interested in a cover...something shiny and smooth... I need some input. Hiding the wiring to the engine is a consideration as well as covering a LOT of holes...and could possibly add a layer of insulation there also. My painter/body guy and I were looking yesterday evening and a cover would be the cheapest/easiest way... so give the 411... sources, costs, mounting options... in short, educate the dummy

thanks
john

 

Cost wise I would think that filling the holes that you won't need would be the cheapest.(if you are doing the work) As for all the wiring, I plan on running a conduit between the inner and out fenders to get the front wiring to where it needs to go for lights, fan, horns, etc. and for the motor wires I was thinking of stainless steel tubing bolted to the intake over the belhousing to some where under the floor.
Just my 2 cents!
Good luck!

 

MidFifty has one, in polished stainless too.. basically a glue on.. very nice..

I got one, then looked at my wiring, throttle cable, a/c fittings, and the brake booster and decided against it, just filling the holes (copper spoon and welder)..

sam

 

Flat Black Paint - Oil Roadgrime and Dirt stick real well - John You like I, have a lot of YEARS invested in our machines, It would be a shame not to have it driveable.

 

John, I replaced mine completely with a 14 ga flat firewall. The only thing that passes through the new firewall is the throttle cable, all other electrical, etc is mounted on the inside with the wiring coming through under the inner fenders. Direct Sheetmetal will make up a nice panel for you to your specs.

Here's a link to a prior discussion with pics... https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...placement.html

 

I was thinking of putting LED's in all of the unused holes. If I paint the inner fenders and inside of the hood black, it'll give it that Planetarium look on a dark night!!

All kidding aside....how many unused holes are there??

Dan

 

about 30, Dan from pencil size to rough cut quarter size... but if you weld them all up... it's still not an attrractive firewall.

Has anyone used one of the stainless covers and put some space behind it for wiring and insulation... mounting with studs or SS bolts ??? like to see some pics and description of the wiring behind one..

j

 

John,
My memories arent the best in the world, maybe its got something to do with the frosty beverages, but I do remember some old posts about firewall covers. Unfortunately I don't remember who used them or who was posting in the threads. It does seem likes its been 4 or 5 years ago.
I would think that the firwall covers would give you a little room behind them just due to the nature of the beast. If the stock 56 firewall is anything like my 49 there are several ribs in the firewall (I'm guessing for strength) so the new "flat" firewall cover would stand off the majority of the firewall approx 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch.

Dang I can't remember who it was....fergie? himmelberg? B/B Ford?

Bobby

 

I like the look of a white firewall contrasting the body color, which is what I plan on going with. In theory, it brightens up the engine bay enough that the engine color stands out. Stainless is great, but the reflection of a chromed up engine can be a bit too much, IMO.

 

x2

 

biggest problem with a firewall cover is what to do with the lower edge at the trans tunnel and toebards, most i have seen look unfinifhed in that area.
However it does provide a good chance for extra sound/ insulation and hiding stuff.

Some careful welding and detailing on your original firewall will yeild great results, after all its ONLY 30 or so holes LOL Mine had almost 100, but i got there in the end.

John

 

Oh man, are you ever messin’ with my mind, I might have to get a room in your Hotel California. It is my intention to never paint the exterior of my primer / old paint / patina ’51 f1 but for registration I had to put a color so I went with black, no reason, never had a one. Found a nice set of power tan leather buckets, tan goes with the black that I’m never going to do, works for me. Import some buckskin tan A/E through the mail, completely illegal, kind of yellowish but nice and light and looks good with the tan seats, midfify carpet and headliner.

Last two weeks plus filling holes, and more holes, in the firewall, grinding my welds, (size of small volcanoes), body filling with all those humps and bumps, sand, grind, fill, repeat until sick, prime sand re-prime (I hate body work) getting read to spray black A/E that was left over from the frame on the firewall and inner fenders. Hard to get smooth and black shows every flaw, a light color is more forgiving.

And you come along and force me to completely re-think the back, you think the blue block with shinny stuff would look better with the buckskin? (Yes, Virgo’s are ****).

Sorry John for the semi-highjack.

 

I have a firewall cover cut from a sheet of polished stainless and glued to my orginal firewall. I'll try to post up some pictures, but the way mine fit, there isn't enough room for wireing due to the orginal ribs. I dont think it would work for you to try and space it out because I barely clear the firewall with the left cylinder head on my 460 now.

 

This one shows it with the protective paper still on.



Here it is finished.