CRG Discussion Forum
Camaro Research Group Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: 68Zproject on March 12, 2012, 09:46:35 PM
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Has anyone purchased the molded firewall pad from HBC? It says it's an exact repro but they all say that. For $200 it should be.
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Not sure as I have a NOS one from 1979 to place in our restoration but I did check prices and do some homework. Seems they are back ordered and Ricks was $30 cheaper even though I assume they all have the same supplier for this molded firewall pad. I've seen the non-molded pad and that one was a pretty bad choice. A restorer told me the molded pad was a fairly good one but again not sure to quality.
Good luck,
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Thanks Chick, I got one of the cheapo ones for mine and it about ripped in half installing it. Nothing like the real ones. I'd like to see one of the molded ones to see if the texture and weight is correct. I still have my original although its in pieces but nothing I've seen is like the original ones so far.
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Not sure how bad your original is in but is there any chance to salvage? The NOS one we have was purchased in 79 and from storage in the attic for 10 years or so and moving 3 or 4 times it dried out and literally started to fall apart in some areas, hence my reason for starting to check on possibly purchasing a molded one but decided to give the original a shot for repair. I think it came out pretty good. Liquid Nails has one clue that is good for just about anything including cloth and rubber so did some repairs with that and the perforated nylon drywall tape and then top coated the repairs with (believe it is a new product) Rustoleum Rubber coating. I will check with Lonny at East Coast Muscle Cars to see what he knows about the molded pads or how correct they appear.......
Would think someone on here has purchased one ;D
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It's kind of weird sometimes with all the originality asked about in these forums that when I ask about what is the best........., there usually aren't many respopnses.
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I purchased one (assume molded) for my '67 from Jim about 3 yrs ago.
It was spectacular in fit, finish and weight ;D.
Don't recall what I paid for it..
Lane
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Did it look like an original? Do you know Jim?
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Did it look like an original? Do you know Jim?
My old one came off in pieces and was bagged long before the new one was installed. I didn't compare them side by side if thats what you mean.
The holes lined up on the heater box and the drivers side fit well all at the same time :). The material appears heavy like the original.
I deplore repop stuff and was pleased with this product. I purchased NOS or used items exclusively from Jim over a period of 7 years which is what it took to complete my resto...so thats the extent to which I know him..His product knowledge and parts availability kept me coming back...
Lane
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Ok, I was wondering mostly about appearance. My original mat looks almost like rubber and very thick. The repop I got was thin, light and made of foam that would rip if you breathed on it. As far as Jim, I tried to get through to him and the guys I got on the phone about their repro radiator tags. They are NOT correct for the 68Z. The code he has on his is not a Camaro code or even GM. He inisisted it was correct and I referred him to this site. I really need a correct radiator tag and it's frustrating to be so close, but I'm just some knucklhead to him and I was hoping somone that knew him could get through to him.
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Every pad I've seen had the foam coating not the rubberized as the originals. Is this still the case? A section of my original is gone below the column shaft.
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The one I just put in my car wasn't molded but it was thick and had a backing on it similar to the original. The front side that faces inward toward you looked like rubber mat or leather for a better way to describe it about 1/4" thick or a little more. No foam on it anywhere.
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Every pad I've seen had the foam coating not the rubberized as the originals. Is this still the case? A section of my original is gone below the column shaft.
There was a discussion a while back on here or on TC that asked about the new molded pads from HBC or somewhere and I believe that they were better but not perfect. This one I saw on HBC's site sounded like it might be close, but I haven't seen one. I wonder who might live close enough to HBC to check one out?
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I believe I saw on another site that the manufacturer is Quietride and looks to have the best price. I plan on ordering one shortly. Has anyone purchased this from them?
http://www.quietride.com/catalogpdfs/gmf_catalog.pdf (http://www.quietride.com/catalogpdfs/gmf_catalog.pdf)
Scroll down to page 4 of the link
Mike
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Well, I've got to hear from somebody that it's dead on or see it myself first.
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i will keep you posted as I plan on ordering it shortly and I kept a piece of the original pad to compare it too.
Mike
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Please do.
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It would have to be dead on. Its a lot of work to change out.
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It would have to be dead on. Its a lot of work to change out.
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True but for people doing restorations it is a must know. I just finished rework on a NOS one so I could post pics of what they looked like in 1979 (when this service replacement was purchased).
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I wonder if Mike has ordered his yet?
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I purchased one from Rick's. I wasn't too sure what I was purchasing (no manufactures name was listed) The one that arrived was Quiet Ride Solutions item GMF 6769-HC. Excellent quality in my opinion.
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Just to compare! This is a NOS one purchased in 1980.
It had some dry cracking issues so I did make a few repairs.
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z117/1-2-b-67L89/68%20Camaro%20Z28/100_6885.jpg)
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z117/1-2-b-67L89/68%20Camaro%20Z28/100_7037.jpg)
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z117/1-2-b-67L89/68%20Camaro%20Z28/100_6894.jpg)
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I purchased one from Rick's. I wasn't too sure what I was purchasing (no manufactures name was listed) The one that arrived was Quiet Ride Solutions item GMF 6769-HC. Excellent quality in my opinion.
So how does it compare to Chick's?
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The one's I seen are know where close to the orginal like the above in the pic.
MM
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The one's I seen are know where close to the orginal like the above in the pic.
MM
From where, what kind?
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From where, what kind?
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I bought mine at Camaro Central
MM
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I'd call HB city and ask. They have that 15% percent off going on now too.
Mike
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Well, what was tying to be originally determined is whether or not the so called correct one from HBC is correct. That is, whether it looks and functions like the original.
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Ok, I received my molded firewall pad from HBC and it is from Quietride as they indicated. I have not installed it so I cannot comment on fit. Looks ok, but the texture is different, more stiffer like fabric whereas the original feels more like rubber. Not sure at this point if it is worth the extra $$ so I will have to reserve judgement until it is installed. Comes with the wrong push plugs but HBC sell the correct ones
See pics and I have an original section left over from my firewall on the bottom.
Mike
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Thanks Mike for the pics as that is the first repro molded pad I've seen. Have to admit I was hoping it would be a little closer but it is still far better than the other plain non-molded pads.
Hey, liked your black socked feet as well..... :)
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And the fuse box cut out ears look correct too.
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Why do the ears on the fusebox reverse between AC and non AC cars?
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What would you say the original black liner is manufactured from? Coated paper? Coated Tar paper?