The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Best inner firewall cover?

Folks, I was wondering if y'all could give me some advice on which would be the best inner firewall cover( 47-53) I know it's mainly about heat and noise reduction. For instance, J. Carter's firewall cover is a fiberglass reproduction, while Classic Parts of America offers a cover that is molded in ABS plastic. Both covers have the pad attached to them. There seems to be only a slight difference between their prices, although Classic Parts' cover comes with pre-cut holes. your thoughts on this? Thanks in advance.

I used Classic Parts on my 1952 and the molded shape fit the firewall perfectly. However most of the pre-cut holes for the fasteners would not line up with the holes in my firewall. It was possible to get a couple of holes lined up but that threw others even farther off. Even if I could have lined up the holes there is no way stock type fasteners would penetrate the pad and then the hole. I ended up using small machine screws to fasten mine.

The Classic Parts piece is not a good reproduction of the original but it is a nice part non-the-less. I would purchase it again, considering the lack of better alternatives.

Chuck

To Hookalatch:
Ok, so you only had trouble with the mounting holes? The rest of the holes (the "big ones") lined up right? Was there noticeable reduction in the heat/noise coming from the engine compartment?

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...Main=100272&Number=690162#Post690162

My experience with the abs cover in the above thread

I will Add this

After trimming the ABS Pad to fit, Im very happy with it. I live in a hot climate area so the protection is good for me. It will cut down on noise also, but I still get a little of the old stovebolt sound in the cab.

I Had to trim the width to get it to lay flat.

open up the area for the heater motor

trim bottom hump and opening for steering colum

cut out for heater brackets

punch out/open up for heater hose.

trim here

open up these slots for the wires

other than all that.......... if fit fine.

Like I said, Im happy with it. This was a few years ago so maybe the pattern has improved.

A good set of gasket punches and sharp blade will be needed. This ABS and the Jute is tough stuff.

Gus, it looks like you got yours to fits pretty durn good from where I stand. I looked at all
your pictures in the album and all the holes look like they line up to me. Even if you had
to do a little trimming to make them look on center it doesn't look like you had to take to
much out.
Is all the talk about clips related to the clips that they send with the new cover? The
original clips are spring steel and I've bought reproduction clips separately and they are
exactly like the original ones, i.e., spring steel.

I'd sure like to find a color that was close to the original panel board.

By the way, looking thru your album it appears that you took the dash out, is that
correct???? If you did, how in the world did you do that without chopping it all up????
That sucker is spot welded in at a bunch of spots.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny

That's a spare dash I picked up at the Pomona (California) swap meet. The guy wanted 40.00. I gave him 20.00.
I have some Blowouts on my dash where the radio sits. It's covered with Fiberglas for now. One day I'll repair it. That’s what I bought the dash, for patch material.

The spring clips that come with the pad work well. But once the Ranco is bolted in you won't need many clips.

The holes look like they line up but they didn't. I used a gasket cutter for the circle for the heater motor and big hole punches for the others.

I do like the product, and it would be nice if they offered it in the brown.

Thank you

Charlie 3 I think you have most of the info you need but I will add a little more from my own experience. I didn't have to trim anything but working by myself it was quite difficult to finally get it in the one exact position where it did fit, all the "big" holes lined up, the mounting holes were as close as possible, and I had pushed down on all its tendency to curl up.

The jute backing is bonded to the plastic. Drilling thru it without ensnaring it is challenging. It comes with the steering column cutout large enough to also fit shift linkage. I wish they also offered it in just a 4 speed version because you have to somehow fill that space.

Chuck

Hookalatch: Thanks a lot for the info. I found it very useful. Now I know where to order it and what to expect when I'll try to install it. I'll be sure and get someone to help me with the installation.
DAD50: I appreciate the pics. Looks like the ABS cover will fit nicely (after all that work, of course) From what I read in your response, I'll better get me a good set of gasket punches.
Thanks again for the information, guys.

i hav,nt seen this shop talked about before,but i have bought gaskets and other items from GRUMPYS phionix .good prices&good service.he only sell gmc/chevy truck parts.check him.....i didnot live this long because of good grammer.

That's good news from Hookalatch

Woody's and my purchase was a few years ago. Hopefully you won't have an issue. At least you will know what to look for.


Good luck

Here you go. http://www.grumpystruckparts.com/productCat0.ivnu

DADS50 That is an assume truck, and very good video work on you-tube as well. You can be very proud of it and your little friend he is cool too!!! LOVE IT!!!

Thank you for your comments short63, I really appreciate that.



Charlie3
You may already have some tools that will work. To cut the side, I just used a sharp blade, scored it and snapped the plastic off.

Good Luck

Thanks again, DADS50.

How much difference does this make in heat and noise?

Thanks

Until just a few years ago the last time I drove the 50 was 1984 in northern California. I remember I could see the asphalt street under the cab floor as I drove around town.

The truck had a distinct sound and the cab had the slight aroma of fuel. Fond memories I cherish.

Now I live in a hot climate area, summers reach 115 degrees. So I opted for more protection.

I installed soundproofing on the firewall, plus this ABS/jute pad. The cab is not sound proof. But comfortable to drive mid summer.

In my book it works well.
Good luck

any suggestions on marking and punching the holes for the firewall pad fasteners?