Firewall advice needed

Discussion in '1960-1966' started by Ratnest, Nov 10, 2013.

  1. Ratnest

    Ratnest Member

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    My body man wants my cab in a week. In the meantime I'm going to fill some holes in the firewall that will not be used. Here's a photo of the factory firewall with way too many holes.
    I will install a 350 motor with a TH350 trans (column shift) and an aftermarket under dash heater. I found factory panels that close the long and square heater holes and will drill the square panel to run my heater core tubes through. I plan to keep the steering column hole and brackets, as well as the carb linkage hole, master cylinder hole, and a couple more for electric and vacuum lines.
    Is there a source for various sized round metal plugs that I can weld into the bigger holes? I can weld-up the small ones.

    Any advice would be appreciated on how to do this right...thanks.
     

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  2. Rich 5150 69

    Rich 5150 69 Member

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    Far as I know no, you might want to check with a welding shop or sheet metal fab shop, they might have misc pieces in junk bins from stamp outs.
     
  3. Lakeroadster

    Lakeroadster Member

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    Cut your own... that's what I do.
     
  4. Ratnest

    Ratnest Member

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    I can do that with a hole saw. But, the problem is that I end up with a hole in the middle of the round disc. Trying to avoid that if I can. I'll hit up the local sheet metal shop tomorrow and see what they have.
     
  5. Lakeroadster

    Lakeroadster Member

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    I make a cardboard template then cut the patch panel using hand nibblers and\or a cut off tool.... not a hole saw.
     
  6. brkile

    brkile Member

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    Blair Rotobroach Kit

    I purchased a Blair Rotobroach hole saw kit. Not only does it cut clean hole in stock up to .25 inch but it cuts nice round plugs. It only uses a center punch mark for centering so there is no hole in the center of the plug. I got mine on ebay. One of the best tools I ever bought. Bruce Kile
     
  7. Ratnest

    Ratnest Member

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    Thanks guys for your advice. Went to a big heat/air/elec company this morning and they gave me some knock-outs from elec panels and junction boxes. A couple cold Buds and my Miller-Matic 35 will get me back at it on the firewall.:D
     
  8. Ratnest

    Ratnest Member

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    Thanks for the info Bruce...I'll get one of those if I can afford it. Sounds like a neat tool to have.
     

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