Firewall cracks

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Mar 30, 2012 | 08:18 PM

#16

Galendor

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 1,251

Likes: 8

From: North Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by kedwinh

Hey Galendor.
Finally got the small kit in today. The holes your asking about are 1-1/8" center to center.

Another quick question, has anyone glued and bolted the plate to the firewall, using something like JB Weld? Just wondering if that would be a good or bad idea.
Thanks.

1-1/8", got it, thank you.

No JB weld, but I did put a bead of automotive blue RTV silicone around the repair plate face that mates with the cabin side of the firewall, as well as a little under each engine-bay side mounting bolt head. Just to water-proof things.

One other thing, when you remove the clutch master cylinder, maybe be careful with the gasket between it and the firewall. I couldn't find a place to buy just that gasket without also purchasing a new master cylinder!

So I removed my gasket carefully (thick paper), and soaked it in a dish of melted hot furniture/floor wax on low heat over the stove before re-using it to "restore" it via hot wax impregnation.

Mar 31, 2012 | 01:51 AM

#17

kedwinh

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 1,092

Likes: 2

From: Casa Grande

Thanks, I'll watch out for the gasket. Just replaced the M/C a few months back, along with the slave cylinder, connecting line and clutch, so hope it wont be that bad. Never paid any attention to the old one I took off, was going to replace it any way. I do like the idea of RTV, don't like leaks.

Sep 22, 2013 | 07:41 PM

#18

JP Colorado

New User

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

Cracked Firewall repair help needed

I acquired a 1988 F250, 460, 5 speed, a couple of months ago. I discovered that the firewall is cracked and is not allowing the clutch to fully disengage. Based on the posts in the Ford Forum I ordered the reinforcement plate. According to Ford's bulletin, this is a major job and maybe beyond my expertise. My mechanic estimated 9-10 hours based on his past experience and will be too expensive at $1000. I am looking for some help from someone in the Denver metro area that has the experience with this repair and that would be willing to do this repair. Please let me know.

Thanks, JP
suns06@msn.com

Sep 22, 2013 | 09:33 PM

#19

ctubutis

Moderator

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 22,415

Likes: 92

From: Denver Metro Area, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP Colorado

JP, you might also post this in the Colorado chapter:

Colorado Chapter - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Sep 22, 2013 | 10:02 PM

#20

IDIDieselJohn

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 8,005

Likes: 7

From: Ottawa, Ontario

Well another option is you can cut the pedal off, and re-weld it at an angle to give it that extra travel like done here

Sep 22, 2013 | 10:03 PM

#21

Gary Lewis

FTE Legend

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 32,875

Likes: 48

From: Northeast, OK

I sorta installed the reinforcement recently. I say "sorta" because my cab is stripped to absolutely nothing and on a rotisserie. So, I had nothing, whatsoever, to take off or put back on. But even then it took me at least 2 hours to lay it out, drill the holes, and massage the reinforcement plate to fit. So, if you had to remove and replace the steering column, brake booster, and brake/clutch pedal assembly you could easily see 9 - 10 hours

But, to get to $1000 you would have to be paying $100/hour for general mechanical work, and that sees very high. I would try another shop.