Putting together a 32 Roadster after paint. Not running the dash tunnel. Would it be easier to install the firewall into the body and then put the body and firewall on the frame? Or do it like the factory did and bolt the firewall to the frame and then install the body over it? When I mocked it up I bolted the firewall to the frame first, but it was not easy getting the body over the firewall with the body hanging in the air. I don't want to screw up the new paint. How have you guys done this, thoughts?
I would install the firewall on to the ch***is first and then drop the body on. I know that is a pain to do but if you install the firewall to the body first, then the only thing that will hold the firewall in place (to the body) is the 2 small bolts at the top near the cowl vent and of course the lip itself. I my mind that means if anything goes wrong with the body drop you stand a good chance of damaging your body. PS: If you use lots of soapy water on the firewall seal then that makes it easier to drop the body onto the firewall.
Firewall and firewall seal discussion on page 6, during build, then continues on page 14, with final ***embly: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...f-cars-but-never-a-32-roadster.1244478/page-6
On my 5 window, we set the body on the frame first. Then before anything was bolted down, slid the firewall with seal on it into the body. The 2 bolts at the top of the firewall were then installed. Then all the bolts to the frame.
Body over firewall is the way to go. ***Use a Steele Rubber Products cowl seal - much more pliable than the Vintique seal.*** Most experienced builders I talked to cut about a 1/4-3/8" strip off the back edge of the seal. I did so and it certainly fits better.
I bolted the firewall down finger tight, then raised the rear of the body a couple inches by hand. Lowered the cowl down with the top edge a little forward of the firewall due to the rear lift. When the cowl touched down on the frame, lowered the back and the top of the cowl slipped back into place on the firewall.
4 guys; One on each side of the cowl (pulling the sides out) One on each corner of the rear (to guide the rear side skirts over the frame rails) and the operation goes very smoothly. Any less than 4 and it could get a bit hairy (no reason to risk gacking your paint) Use blue tape on the ends of the cowl seal to keep it in place when you drop the body down over it.
Got the body on. Mounted the firewall to the frame. Then with an A semetrical lift lowered the body down with the cowl about 10 inches lower than the back of the body. Lubed up the cowl rubber and lined it all up and lowered the body down. Worked great.
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