Topic: 67 San Jose Firewall Mat Perforation/Opening

[jswoody]

I am restoring a 1967 San Jose firewall pad and have some confusion with one of the openings. The pad I have has a rectangular hole which is on the primary pad, located above the fuse box.  Is this for something in particular, such as dealer installed AC?   I have seen pictures of factory pads with this portion of the pad still in place. 

[J_Speegle]

Don't believe, given the location, it is related to AC in any way on a 67-68.

Sure engineers and designers had a purpose - just can't attach a specific car, option or accessory associated to it at the moment

[Bossbill]

I took the pad out of my 67 SJ coupe which I purchased for its pad, dash and other parts.
It's just a C-code automatic with few other options. It has manual drum brakes and regular steering.

It has the square removed with a very clean hole, but the removable teardrop section on the top right is still there.
Impossible to say if it came that way.

I should add that the Ford build date is early March. 67s are notorious for changing items at various times in the production year.

[Fastback2013]

Last weekend, I also removed the firewall mat from my SJ car.
In attachment a picture of how the current situation is.
It's a C-code automatic, with power steering, NO AC and thermactor.
Do not know if it's important, but here you know.
If needed more information, do ask.
Kind regards,
Jeroen

[67gtasanjose]

Last weekend, I also removed the firewall mat from my SJ car.
In attachment a picture of how the current situation is.
It's a C-code automatic, with power steering, NO AC and thermactor.
Do not know if it's important, but here you know.
If needed more information, do ask.
Kind regards,
Jeroen

Nice looking example Jeroen. Don't let those damaged areas get you worked up, there is a thread out there on repairing these San Jose pads

AND, now for the record, that makes 3-examples that have that same patch missing. Mine was missing too but I filled it in, thinking it was SUPPOSED to be there since there wasn't any reason for it to be missing that I could tell.

[jswoody]

Last weekend, I also removed the firewall mat from my SJ car.
In attachment a picture of how the current situation is.
It's a C-code automatic, with power steering, NO AC and thermactor.
Do not know if it's important, but here you know.
If needed more information, do ask.
Kind regards,
Jeroen

Thank you very much for the picture.  That looks very familiar.  What month is your build date?  Mine is May 67, however this is not my original mat.    Scott

[Fastback2013]

Thanks for your answer, Richard.
I have red all the previous threat's concerning firewall mats 
And for once I have a little bit of fortune, because in the Netherlands they sell 'The Right Stuff' 
So that will be a task for the coming weeks.
If I may ask : should I replace the backing material?
It's not worn or torn, but it doesn't smell like 'lily in the valley' 
In case it would better be replaced (= the backside), does anyone know a place where I can buy the accurate thickness?

@jswoody : car was built 01/12/67

Thank you all for your time and answers
Kind regards,
Jeroen

[Bossbill]

The odors in the backing should be able to be handled with any good biological urine removal spray. This stuff has enzymes that actually eat things like urine and other pest odors.  I'm currently testing an excellent cat pee remover called "Anti-Icky-Poo." We have used it in the house very successfully for years now. It should work on mouse, rat and any other biologic. Don't knock the name -- it works!
I'll report back in a week or so (remind me) on how it worked on my pad.

The original backing is not the same as the Jute sold nowadays.
The pad material on the back of reproduction pads is only half the thickness of the original pad.

I did find a vendor stamp on the back of mine "G_B". I have not found out who this company is.

[67gtasanjose]

...If I may ask : should I replace the backing material?
It's not worn or torn, but it doesn't smell like 'lily in the valley' 
In case it would better be replaced (= the backside), does anyone know a place where I can buy the accurate thickness?

Hmmm Personal judgement call on that one but if you can sanitize it without getting it too wet, maybe leave it original. If you decide to replace it, I would get one of the pre-formed (more expensive) ones for sale. I did not and I fought getting the jute backing to stretch out the way I would prefer it to have been.

[Fastback2013]

Thanks Bossbill and Richard!
it's clearly that I thought it would be much easier to replace it
I will search for a product (hopefully nearby) that can clean it in depth, so it isn't necessary for replacing the backing.

I have seen also a mark/stamp at the backside.
I will take a picture of it and post this.

thanks again for all your help and assistance.
Jeroen