Register now to get rid of these ads!

Projects 1928/29 one piece firewall anyone make them

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by flyn schlosser, Jan 16, 2020.

  1. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    I cant find any info does anyone manufacture a piece firewall for a 28 coupe . the fuel tank is been cut out and relocated to the back . My car is running a sbc need a little clearence for the distributor . I seen guys make there own with nice bead rolls .Im not that skilled looking for some ideas . the firewall is out of my car as of now.Any info our pictures is appreciated. Thank you
     
  2. Do you have the lower portion? I have done it in the past with a trashed gas tank, by cutting out the firewall section and welding it all together with the lower portion, used an old big rig stack to create a tunnel for the distributor to fit into. Then just bolted it into the cowl.
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  3. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    Yes I still have the original pieces a big rig stack is a great idea. I thought a bout welding it together to make it a one piece I figured some guys on here would have some good idea.Appreciate the response
     
    Nailhead Jason likes this.
  4. I used a stack because I found one on the freeway one day, it sat in the corner of my shop for years before I used it. you can do the same thing with a piece of a 4 or 5 inch exhaust turndown. A friend of mine has a 28 coupe, he made a nice little box that bolts to the inside of the firewall that covers a hole in the firewall that the distributor fits into. This way he can take out 4 bolts and has full access to the distributor from under the hood or inside the car.
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.

  5. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    That would work I do appreciate the advise .Thank you
     
  6. drtrcrV-8
    Joined: Jan 6, 2013
    Posts: 1,707

    drtrcrV-8
    Member

    It has been noted in other threads, but bears another mention : a garden supply wheelbarrow pan makes a great insert (close to proper shape & minimal forming needed), especially for SBC installations.
     
  7. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    I agree and I seen that but i dont need that much room the distributor is barely touching .
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  8. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    Maybe a little garden scoop. Remove handel and weld, bolt or rivet in place.
     
    flyn schlosser likes this.
  9. Can you just trim a sliver out of the top & bottom flanges like I did?
    distributor crescent.jpg
     
  10. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    Thats a great idea .Thank you
     
  11. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    Im going to have to check thank you but i still think its to much I have the bigger style distributor maybe its worth it to buy a the small sstyle its a crate motor that came complete from blueprint.
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  12. chev34ute
    Joined: Nov 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,240

    chev34ute
    Member

    If you want a one piece firewall, you could try fabricating one yourself. It’s not as hard as you think. There are three channels on Youtube that show you all the steps. The Eastwood Channel shows you the equipment you can purchase to do the job. A manually operated bead roller is surprisingly cheap and you can use it for floor pans as well.

    Lazzie Metal Shaping shows you how to make up the paper pattern for the firewall. The last Channel is called Iron Trap Garage and The Presenter Matt has a number of Model A projects with detailed metal shaping tutorials.

    This is what I shaped up just from subscribing to those three channels.

    767B9919-8D81-4CDF-A2F2-55062A84011F.jpeg
     
    scrap metal 48 and kidcampbell71 like this.
  13. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    Thank you I follow iron trap on you tube . I will check it out . I thought about trying to make one
     
  14. fiftyv8
    Joined: Mar 11, 2007
    Posts: 5,394

    fiftyv8
    Member
    from CO & WA

    I don't see that a one piece firewall works all that well with a 28/29 firewall.
    The tank separation is the issue.
    Even not using the tank means that once a one piece firewall is in play the tank and the cowl can not ever be separated.
    I will try and get you a picture of a recessed firewall with a reversed seam joint that works and looks pretty good also.
    The only issue is that you will need to do most of the work yourself.
     
  15. fiftyv8
    Joined: Mar 11, 2007
    Posts: 5,394

    fiftyv8
    Member
    from CO & WA

    This is the best I can offer for now.
    Lower part of firewall is recessed and upper portion into gas tank is cut out and recessed in a curve that follows the outer shape of the gas tank/cowl.
    The bolted seam is cut off and reversed to give a clean flush appearance.
    Seam is then bolted from the inside.
    IMAG2083.jpg IMAG2085.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2020
  16. bct
    Joined: Apr 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,154

    bct
    Member

    20170707_150550.jpg
    I'm building one but only have the top so far. Chose to go with two piece for ease of construction. I have a nice sized recess from a late 30s Chevrolet, flanged and everything.
     
  17. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    Really neat idea I really like it
     
    fiftyv8 likes this.
  18. rcavaliers
    Joined: Feb 20, 2010
    Posts: 155

    rcavaliers
    Member
    from downey

    I used and old gas tanks for the heads and a half a headlight bucket to clear the distributor lol. I also flipped the stock bead so I wouldnt lose it

    Sent from my SM-G960U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  19. rcavaliers
    Joined: Feb 20, 2010
    Posts: 155

    rcavaliers
    Member
    from downey

  20. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    rcavaliers and kidcampbell71 like this.
  21. jaracer
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 2,419

    jaracer
    Member

    I kept the top part and build a bottom section. I've got a nailhead and they are longer than a SBC. IMG_1267.JPG
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  22. sloppy jalopies
    Joined: Jun 29, 2015
    Posts: 5,256

    sloppy jalopies
    Member

    With the metal shaping skills I have seen here what about copying, or having copied a '32 firewall's overall design... [look]...
    you, or have them, downsize the beadwork proportionately ...
    and maybe alter it so it might increase the size of the breather "dent" for "your" particular clearance and maybe recess the whole firewall 1" to 1.5" while at it... way beyond my skill level...
    ..... just spit balling...
     
    fiftyv8 likes this.
  23. Sweet & Low
    Joined: Feb 13, 2014
    Posts: 300

    Sweet & Low
    Member

    Give Direct Sheet Metal in El Cajon Ca a call they make a replacement clean firewall
     
  24. bct
    Joined: Apr 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,154

    bct
    Member

    15797512094892152197244855502714.jpg

    Here is the general motors recess i mentioned. Wish i knew what year it was.

     
  25. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

    That would be perfect
     
  26. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    The other possibility is using a transmission tunnel or driveshaft tunnel scrap piece or just get a piece of metal and form it around your knee/leg or a oxy bottle .
     
  27. Dirk35
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 2,067

    Dirk35
    Member

    bct likes this.
  28. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 257

    flyn schlosser
    Member
    from phelan, ca

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.