Author Topic: Reproduction firewall pad discussion - Not year specific (Read 3054 times)

acman63 · « **on:** June 15, 2017, 04:09:16 PM »

who makes the best quality firewall pad?

67gtasanjose · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2017, 04:56:20 PM »

FORD

If you are looking for Dearborn or NJ version, I understand people have found suitable new ones. San Jose style isn't reproduced.

acman63 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2017, 05:10:11 PM »

yes but who makes the best available

Bossbill · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2017, 01:36:31 PM »

I have a similar issue with my 3/67 SJ car.

I bought this one (I think it's a Scott Drake) and it looks nothing like pictures of other pads.
I'm not talking about the pimples on the SJ pad -- even the outline appears to be wrong.

Here is a pic of one from an outfit called Repops. (first pic)

Bossbill · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2017, 11:41:55 PM »

Does anyone have any good, high resolution pictures of a SJ firewall pad?

Enough of these ugly repops -- what does a real one look like?

ruppstang · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2017, 12:34:23 AM »

Here you go. I restored this one two years ago.
Marty

Bossbill · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2017, 12:47:45 AM »

Thanks Marty!

Can you tell us all about the details? That diagonal embossment is stock?
I've haven't seen a good one in over 20 years, so I'm all ears!

67gtasanjose · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2017, 06:09:29 AM »

This thread sounds like one from a couple years ago! As mentioned already, even a few years later, a "correct looking" reproduction firewall pad is NOT YET made for San Jose built cars. (My understanding is that this covers all of the classic years)
Link to another thread where I ended up repairing my original one. (VERY nasty and time-consuming, mine had been eaten partially by rodents and soaked in mouse urine). It came out pretty good actually. If you locate a used original that needs some help, this other thread might be a good read for you.
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=9343.0

ruppstang · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2017, 09:44:32 AM »

As Richard said there is much information in the thread he highlighted that will help you. The pad I pictured is original in every way including the diagonal line except for the repairs that I made. FYI I have sold good originals for $700 so it is worth your time to restore a original.

Bossbill · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2017, 01:17:48 PM »

Somehow I missed the other thread in my search. Thanks -- good details there.

My wife deals with large mold making. She has most of the stuff needed to make molds, do castings, make mother molds, etc. She suggested that I start from scratch as the original pad appears to be very close to the contours of the firewall and not as badly contoured as the repops. Make a mold of the firewall and use that as a basis for a plug.
We'll have to see where this takes me.

I'm currently re-sleeving my door light wire harness as the repop stuff is just gnawing at my sensibilities. This place has done that to me!

Maybe Jeff can merge these threads?

J_Speegle · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2017, 04:26:21 PM »

Quote from: Bossbill on December 03, 2017, 01:17:48 PM

Maybe Jeff can merge these threads?

Could but given how old and that they both have different focus (a specific year and plant on one - generic on the other) they would not flow or red right. Instead by providing a link to each other in the thread they will be joined in a way

J_Speegle · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2017, 04:32:43 PM »

Quote from: Bossbill on December 02, 2017, 11:41:55 PM

Does anyone have any good, high resolution pictures of a SJ firewall pad?

Enough of these ugly repops -- what does a real one look like?

Here is what the texture/surface of a typical San Jose firewall pad looked like

And for others or comparison here is what a typical Dearborn/New Jersey suppliers firewall pad looked like

Neighter are from 67 but they they both show the surface well IMHO

Bossbill · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2017, 07:00:44 PM »

Phew, that's good work on listing the various pad threads! Thanks Jeff.

I'm really coming to realize how far off the repops are, especially the SJ pads! I might be able to use the jute of a repop -- maybe.

As for the SJ pad, using a drawing program I have that scales objects I get these approximate dimension for the dots. [I took a known hole in the firewall and then dimensioned the dots to this known hole size]:

Dots are on a 10x10 mm offset shifted grid (approximately, as the pattern shifts a bit over the entire surface)
Dots are approx 5mm in diameter
Dots are approx 2.5mm in height

Can someone verify these dimensions?

J_Speegle · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2017, 07:18:16 PM »

Quote from: Bossbill on December 03, 2017, 07:00:44 PM

The Dearborn/New Jersey firewall pad looks a lot like this product that I just tested today. In case the picture disappears, it's Rust-oleum Leak Seal:

As for the SJ pad, using a drawing program I have that scales objects I get these approximate dimension for the dots. [I took a known hole in the firewall and then dimensioned the dots to this known hole size]:

Dots are on a 10x10 mm offset shifted grid (approximately, as the pattern shifts a bit over the entire surface)
Dots are approx 5mm in diameter
Dots are approx 2.5mm in height

Can someone verify these dimensions?

Bill why don't you repost your last post over on the other thread since this one was asked about reproduction firewall pads not reproducing, restoring or repairing. Let me suggest as a focus for that.

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=16730.msg104776#msg104776

As mentioned before I found that applying a spray coating (for Dearborn.NJ versions) from 3-4 foot above, raining down from above, produced the best results for me. The messier the spray nozzle got or me hanging the tip of my figure over it seemed to help also

I don't have any 67 San Jose examples at home to measure but will drag out a 65 or 66 and measure those spots tomorrow

ruppstang · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2018, 11:42:33 PM »

Here is a Dearborn firewall pad I just restored. I made the repairs the same as in my previous post except this time I used spray Plasti Dip for the finish coat. I really like it because it dries fast so you can add a lot of coats in a short time. Appearance is very close to the original and best of all it add a strong flexible top coat.
Marty

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Author Topic: Reproduction firewall pad discussion - Not year specific (Read 3054 times)

acman63

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