Have the firewall smoothed. Wondering what you guys have done on the inside of the firewall to support wires, fuse box, etc.... there has to be some tricks out there. Hanging plywood to screw into? Welding bolts to the firewall?
We have used heavy-duty Velcro about 2" wide to hang fuse panels, flashers, etc. on the underside of dashes and firewalls. (stuff that isn't too heavy) Doesn't seem to be affected by firewall heat and have never had it come loose.
Made a inner framework out of 1/2 tubing that bolts in.Covered that with a sheet of metal to hang things on.Will insulate between the two.Having it bolt in you can mark everything and then unbolt and mount everything on the bench.
mine has a double wall, inside is thicker with nuts welded in the middle, then an aluminum face for a pretty engine compartment.
Also did the 1/2" sq tubing deal, making a mini-cage that tied into the door hinge steel at the back of the cowl sides. Holds the A/C/H, column drop, dash ends, etc. The front two legs bolt to the frame like body mount bolts. IMHO, you HAVE to do all this, including mounting your components and doing some basic interior sketches, way before you even think of paint. Gary
I mounted my starter solenoid (I'm running a 63 Ford 289) regulator and rheostat on the inside of my firewall. I made studs out of 1/4 bolts, that way I had a clean firewall. I also welded a few extra studs to use as grounds for my gauges an other electrical circuits . having had to change a few starter solenoids under the dash, I wish I would have put it in a better spot. LOL
on my a-coupe, which has the original tank cut out, i made a panel that has my voltage regulator, started solenoid, fuse block all hinged to the firewall and folds up under the dash, totally out of sight. Simply undo a wing nut and it folds down for easy access to the stuff. Welded hinge bolts to the firewall then smoothed them off the front before paint.
I welded a piece of 1 inch square tube inside the firewall side to side at the top of the cowl-Then I had something I could weld tabs to or drill and thread to attach stuff like A/C, fuse box,wire clips or what ever.
I made plywood panels and glued them to the inside of the firewall with automotive structural adhesive. That way I have no bolts etc on the firewall face. All wire hole penatrations are on the lower lip of the firewall and behind the engine.
I mocked up all the under dash items prior to body work and welded studs and bracketry in to support all of the various items. Also used 5/16 bolts welded to the firewall to attach the harness to for routing. I did not wire lace like Virgil but relied on tyraps to hold the harness together. Covered all of the firewall with cool mat followed by a 1/2 inch of jute.
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