67 s code gta April SJ , the 2 piece clamp at the bottom of the steering column is it under the firewall pad or above it and therefore you would see it, also the fuse box is there a cut out for it in the pad ,I am using a new pad which has no cut outs
Column clamp UNDER the firewall pad.
Only 'holes for the screws', behind the fuse panel. Since the fuse panel was screwed down without pre-drilled holes in both the firewall pad AND the firewall (originally, on the assembly line) and assuming you are using a firewall already with the holes in it for the fuse panel mounting screws, you can find those original holes easiest by piercing the firewall pad from outside, under the hood, using a drill bit, (or the likes) something smaller than those holes. You may wish to have another person pressing a block of wood or something, against the firewall pad under the dash. No matter how you go about it, the jute backing of the firewall pad will try and fight the screws (and/or the drill bit) but having them pre-pierced should help considerably. You can further reduce the fighting of the jute backing if you first pierce the holes into the firewall pad (as decribed), then use a soldering gun and burn the jute a bit (from behind the fuse panel, under the dash), this will help a great deal to keep the jute from fighting the screws into place.
Curiosity asks, what firewall pad did you settle on?
Reproductions I have seen, closer match the Dearborn & NJ types, San Jose firewall pads were unique (with the spotted dimple pattern)