Author Topic: Firewall Pad of Choice???  (Read 5346 times)

Tinkerr

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Firewall Pad of Choice???
« on: December 15, 2018, 09:02:19 PM »
I need to purchase a new Firewall Pad. I did a search, most relevant thread was 2012, links don't work 6 years later and I'm hoping for some improvements. Anybody have suggestions for replacement pad. I've seen listings for molded pads $175 and other pads for $50 I'm looking for the best fit and finish. Thanks

169INDY

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2018, 09:33:31 PM »
Molded all the way. I just removed a cheap flat pad & got the $175 model you looked at and it is WAY better than that flat junk, I gave it a short thought on searching for a parting out car to source a original but that is difficult and kinda like shopping for a used diaper after all these years the pads just do not survive the test of time,,,If I remember I contacted mfr & they did not sell direct, So I made sure I used a vendor selling the best molded unit and confirmed that is what was being purchased then low & behold, they drop shipped it from the Mfr. I can dig out the info when I get home.


JIM
Jim
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68 Z28 M21 LOS

68camaroz28

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2018, 10:26:41 PM »
Here you go and they have a sale on for Xmas but not sure if this is covered in the sale but worth the check.
http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/23875/1967-1968-1969-Camaro-%26-Firebird-Molded-Firewall-Pad-OE-Style-Without-AC/
I had a NOS one to put in our 68 which was purchased in 1979. And yes, even with the repro molded ones there is a huge difference but its the best available.
Chick
68 Z/28 NOR 01B Orig motor/trans/rear
69 Z/28 NOR 07A Orig Block & GM Cross-ram/carbs
69 L34 Rest. Nova Father/Son Car
69 L78 Surv Nova Purch 4/69 31K miles
67 L89 Corv Tribute
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69Z28-RS

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2018, 12:00:15 AM »
Molded all the way. I just removed a cheap flat pad & got the $175 model you looked at and it is WAY better than that flat junk, I gave it a short thought on searching for a parting out car to source a original but that is difficult and kinda like shopping for a used diaper after all these years the pads just do not survive the test of time,,,If I remember I contacted mfr & they did not sell direct, So I made sure I used a vendor selling the best molded unit and confirmed that is what was being purchased then low & behold, they drop shipped it from the Mfr. I can dig out the info when I get home.
JIM

..."source a original but that is difficult and kinda like shopping for a used diaper after all these years'...   

cracking up here over this description, although it's not far off...  :)
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
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janobyte

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2018, 12:40:58 AM »
To add, mist some cheap rubberized undercoating to mock texture. Think it was a Chick recommendation. I thought a real pita to install. Maybe just bad luck. Had to walk away a few times from it. Came out pretty nice though.
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

Mike S

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2018, 12:50:38 AM »
 That was in the past thread: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9630.msg70063#msg70063

 I have the pad installed and it looks great and close to original. It is not molded but there is so little exposed that I didn't mind, and it conformed to the firewall nicely.


Mike
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janobyte

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #6 on: December 16, 2018, 12:53:35 AM »
And if you can, try to salvage your rubber plugs. The ones I could reuse popped right in,,not so lucky with the ones I purchased, and not a great match vs. The originals.Even with the tool, kept poking through. Referenced alot here for advice. Like I said, maybe just bad luck.
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

janobyte

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2018, 12:55:16 AM »
Ah, you were the one!
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

Hans L

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2018, 05:06:41 AM »
That was in the past thread: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9630.msg70063#msg70063

 I have the pad installed and it looks great and close to original. It is not molded but there is so little exposed that I didn't mind, and it conformed to the firewall nicely.


Mike

I followed the process outlined in the link and was quite pleased with the results.  I originally purchased a molded mat, but didn't like the silver thermal material used (maybe they've updated the design and it's no longer there).   I didn't really have much of an issue installing the cheaper flat Tarmac mat and the rubberized spray thereafter gave it a nice OE look.  The pad insulation is also closer to OE in appearance I thought than the molded pad....my 2 cents. 
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68camaroz28

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2018, 04:12:05 PM »
That was in the past thread: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9630.msg70063#msg70063

 I have the pad installed and it looks great and close to original. It is not molded but there is so little exposed that I didn't mind, and it conformed to the firewall nicely.


Mike
Yes it was Mike and also in that thread was "That may be similar to what Chick used to repair/restore his original pad." LOL as that was a chore trying to repair ours (should have never stored in the attic) where the rubber type material cracked where it was thin in areas. But that was a great idea to take a repro molded pad and try to duplicate the texture. Here are some pics of the NOS one I had that might help others to duplicate.




Chick
68 Z/28 NOR 01B Orig motor/trans/rear
69 Z/28 NOR 07A Orig Block & GM Cross-ram/carbs
69 L34 Rest. Nova Father/Son Car
69 L78 Surv Nova Purch 4/69 31K miles
67 L89 Corv Tribute
68 Corv 427/400 Orig motor
07 Corv Z06
R 68Z build- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182584

169INDY

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #10 on: December 16, 2018, 06:35:37 PM »

silver thermal material used (maybe they've updated the design and it's no longer there).

Yup it is still there, I trimmed it back (appx 1/16 to 1/8") with tiny seamstress scissors [where you might be able to see it when installed] and really like the "SKINNING" that was suggested in the early (Referenced) post

Thanks for the ideas guys, Great sharing of methods,

JIM
Jim
68 SS/RS L35 Th-400 LOS
69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

Tinkerr

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2018, 01:57:10 AM »
I'll order the molded pad. The rubber plugs didn't survive the removal this time, so I'll be looking for some replacements, preferably some good used ones. Thanks for all the responses I really appreciate them.

169INDY

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2018, 04:17:53 AM »
I am sure others here have additional TIPS.
I chose Isopropyl Alcohol as a evaporative lubricant and machined a brass "driver" to Set the fasteners w/o tearing them apart. It contacts the tip and flange of the fastener boot at the same time and prevents the tearing from a blunt driver.

The flat Pad I used to have used a stiff plastic fasteners that was hard & ridged and did not replicate the originals to my satisfaction so I sourced the ones show based on recommendations from  of others here.

I hope y0ou find this helpful,

Jim
Jim
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69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

69Z28-RS

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2018, 05:11:55 AM »
That's a perfect insertion tool, Jim...   One could probably make such an insertion tool if one couldn't be purchased.  Even a wooden one would work.   Removing the plugs without damage could also be accomplished with a 'sleeve' type tool from the outside of the firewall (to push in the expanding part of the plug)...
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan

manyc

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Re: Firewall Pad of Choice???
« Reply #14 on: December 18, 2018, 02:19:32 PM »
I bought a repo pad the was custom made by Bob Harris at Camaro Specialties.  Looks like he rubber coated one of the better aftermarket ones. Overall I think he did a great job. He does AC and Non-AC versions.


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