"CUT" my cherry 32' firewall today

Cutting up 32 stuff is fun. I have cut up a bunch of stuff. Last thing I just did was fill this perfect original grill shell.

Before:



After:

 

wow Rick, you sure pissed off a lot of hot rodders..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....Who cares about what something is worth, for me, I'll cut an original before I buy an aftermarket that will require work to fit...I've never seen an aftermarket firewall fit, and I've worked with a few....AND I'd also rather start with a nice original part, as its easier, and faster, not to mention creates less work during the whole build... Funny thing is, if you guys saw the cuts on Mannos Cdan that Rolling Bones built, it has some similar cuts on it, actually, more cuts than Ricks, and it was just as nice.. No one would bust their ass, you'd think its cool... Geez Rick, why would you cut that huh..haha

 

In 1960 I cut and moved the center of my deuce firewall back 3"
the car is balanced 50/50 front to rear, corners nicely for a sedan. The only complaint is from the guy trying to fit carpet into the pass side. Uff-Da Pete

 

Butcher! What the hell difference does it make. I've cut dozens of the Sacred Cow Firewalls and I didn't get an upset stomach when the job was done. It's called hotrodding. Nice job.

 

I too am interested in what that thing is on top of the water pump.

 

I put my 283 into my 32 with hurst mounts without cutting the firewall. short pump and stock type fan. plenty of room.

not saying you should or shouldn't cut the firewall, just asking, why would you go through the unnecessary work??

btw, with the 32 K member and the 39 trannies I can theoretically swap motors like I do underwear (every season ) get a set of hurst mounts for the front of whatever motor I want to put in and get the adapter to go to the 39 tranny and it's a bolt in

 

The trick to recessing a '32 firewall is to make it look nearly stock when you're done, looks like you've done it right but aren't you worried that your old Ford with reject that mouse motor?

 

Bingo.... not to mention, you'll probably sell it on "ebay" to some asshole hot rodder who is going to cut it up anyway.

 

I`m all for cuttin stuff up . but I would move the front cross member forward
or add to the frame before I did that . I do like the shape of a stock firewall.
now get all those lump`s out of it

 

Checked out Ricks' firewall in person today.As usual,it was a primo job.Got no problem with it.This 32 is gonna dazzle when done.Wait to you see his second choice for induction.

 

Not really o/t, but who sells the best (most orginal) '32 repro firewall these days?
Michael

 

Really dig the early FI as for cutting the firewall that up to you it is yours.
I put my SBC in the original 32 chassie with OUT cutting the firewall or using a Zip pump. It's wicked tight but works nice and looks great. The trick is the dizzy and can't use a HEI other wise the you do have to cut it. Also have to shorten up the original throttle linkage mounts and run a small 12" blade. The motor is a mild build so if she doesn't run warm, or the Zip pump or 6 cylinder pump will come in handy. I never understood why folks do cut the firewall it's just more work ..
As far as the aftermarket original looking firewalls, they are ok but most of the edges are too round and not sharp. Also some of the beads are off a bit and overall off a bit. Micky, you should beable to pick up one of the aftermarket ones I was talking about for 500 bucks ..

 

I love cutting stuff up to make it work for your combo. Like Bass said this is hotrodding.

Rusty

 

Ha...it was worth cutting up just to hear these whiners cry. That fuelie unit is going to look great!

 

I'd love to see more rochester FI hotrods. To bad the corvette guys have made them near unobtainium.

 

You Hot Rodders are a bunch of "Hoodlum's"

 

The original firewall is the real thing, repro is repro. I say use it however you see fit. I would use original first too.
Can someone tell me what O/T means?

 

It means OFF TOPIC

I never said not to cut a original ... just that I would not have cut one that nice when cut ones are around. The financial 4 or 5 hundred dollar difference in value was my concern. It does not matter NOW ... the deed is done

 

its like i always say,"anyone can restore one, but it takes a real man to cut one up"!

 

Wait....you're building a '32 3-Window, and you're concerned about 4 or 5 hundred dollars?

C'mon dude....really. Haha.

 

That' s WHY I have to watch my $$$

 

Well,,that 4 or 5 hundred just might buy that door latch that might be missing!

I had a cherry firewall in my truck and an old hacked up one,,,,the cherry one is now in the rafters,,,,HRP

 

Or sell to a STREET rodder who'll hang it on the wall with other '32 parts....

A sawzall knows no boundaries.......

 

Finances....so I guess the best way is to EBay the nice stocker and buy a repop from Brookville and do the slice and dice on it. I was always shy to do any cutting on a Model A firewall, but with a Buick 300 V8 and a Chevy 283 in the garage now, that just might happen.

Back in '79 when I adapted a 2.0 liter Pinto 4 banger to the original trans of my early 30 Model A coupe (after putting the #3 rod thru the side of the block) my dad, who insisted that I keep it original and "cherry" said, "Well son, I know how much you like to drive her and it makes more sense to use a modern engine".

The fact is, it's a pain and expensive to keep the old original engines up and running.

I'm more than ready for a modern hot rod.

Just waiting for the snow to go away and get back on track building.

 

Do what you have to do to make it work....

 

Ive got a question for ya on the (Zipp) water pump. Is this a housing that uses a chevy 6 water pump or a repop pump? Im wondering how much higer is the fan?I am building a 29 rdstr on a 32 frame with 283 with hurst adapter.I ve got a chopped down 34 radiater moved out about 2 inches from stock location and I woulld like to raise the fan to center it in radiator.

 

It raises the fan 5 or 5 and 1/2 inches. I always use them on 32's.



It uses a standard 230 six cylinder Chevy water pump. I get one for a 69 Nova ... plain ... no AC ... ( the A/C ones have a funky mount for the pulley and fan ).



I also suggest getting the GM # 10070107 vent and install it in the top of the ZIP. It makes bleeding all the air out a LOT easier than the little small screw setup supplied by ZIP.

 

The Zipp raises the fan about 5". Don't know how much it shortens it. The one on my roadster is cast iron. I do not know who made it but the dimensions are similiar to the zipp.

 

The rollingbones would laugh if I showed up with that zipp riser! actually the firewall had some brazed in holes on the pass. side, Got it from Keith Cornell in exchange for a "signature" split bones job!

 

Still wondering what the red mount that is above the water pump was used on -- something special on an fi motor??