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TECH: Flipping a Model A Firewall

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Crusty Nut, Mar 5, 2008.

  1. Crusty Nut
    Joined: Aug 3, 2005
    Posts: 1,834

    Crusty Nut
    Member

    When I decided to do this I looked for some insight. Lots of people said how easy it was, but there really wasn't a how to. It really was easy. Mostly, this will just give some better photos for those of you considering doing this. The way a 30-31 firewall comes foward, I think this is a better looking solution than cutting a big hole and filling it with something like a wheelbarrow. It really didn't cut into the foot room very much.


    First off, here is what you are starting with:
    [​IMG]
    Take some measurements of the opening for the gas tank and drill out all the spotwelds and rivets. Some of them are hard to find.

    With it removed:
    [​IMG]

    Hold it in there and eyeball how much needs to come off the toeboards:
    [​IMG]

    Cut away. Note how the "foot" of the firewall is separate. It will come off and get turned around also.:
    [​IMG]

    More in a minute.
     
  2. Crusty Nut
    Joined: Aug 3, 2005
    Posts: 1,834

    Crusty Nut
    Member

    This part will need a little hammer and dolly work and a couple relief cuts:
    [​IMG]

    Fitting pretty good down low:
    [​IMG]

    Take some mesurements up top:
    [​IMG]

    Cut up a really nice gas tank, since only the skin will fit now:
    [​IMG]

    More to come
     
  3. Crusty Nut
    Joined: Aug 3, 2005
    Posts: 1,834

    Crusty Nut
    Member

    Starting to fit pretty good:
    [​IMG]

    Once it fits, use the holes you drilled and spotweld it in:
    [​IMG]

    Here is a better shot of the foot. It needs a small filler piece still.:
    [​IMG]

    Thats it for now, just some finish work. The way the toeboards go back together really minimizes the foot room loss.
    [​IMG]


    Crusty
     
  4. chaddilac
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,021

    chaddilac
    Member

    Wow that's pretty cool, I've never see one done before!
     

  5. GTSDave
    Joined: Jan 10, 2008
    Posts: 133

    GTSDave
    Member

    Thanks for the pics! Looks great.

    -Dave
     
  6. duke182
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 562

    duke182
    Member

  7. flathead31coupe
    Joined: Mar 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,596

    flathead31coupe
    Member
    from indpls, in

  8. Mullda
    Joined: Apr 12, 2006
    Posts: 314

    Mullda
    Member

    Nice post! I heard it talked about and seen the results, but never saw how it was done. Really nice. I wish I'd gone that route with my '30 instead of putting in a recess.
     
  9. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,817

    BJR
    Member

    Do you have to do anything about the bellhousing bump out being the wrong way (toward the front) now? What about the very bottom angling forward instead of backward?
     
  10. gashog
    Joined: Dec 9, 2005
    Posts: 984

    gashog
    Member

    Great post, thanks! I never thought about the fact that you would no longer be able to use the stock tank.
     
  11. garagerods
    Joined: Dec 15, 2006
    Posts: 451

    garagerods
    Member
    from Omaha

    Nice and clean!

    We did one some time ago and cut out the lower portion and turned it back around.

    Congrats!
     
  12. bigdreamsnobux
    Joined: Oct 6, 2005
    Posts: 222

    bigdreamsnobux
    Member

    This is perfect for my A project right now, great pics since I had seen a finished version but never the 'how to'. Keeps the firewall looking stock rather than a wagon inserted and looking like a fiberglass mould. Very nice.

    Thanks!!!
     
  13. Crusty Nut
    Joined: Aug 3, 2005
    Posts: 1,834

    Crusty Nut
    Member

    Me too, thats why I wanted to put this up.


    I depends. Not for my motor of choice. The very bottom flange can be cut off, then attach the toe board to the next up bend. When it gets flipped it kind of makes a new flange in the right direction, just up a half inch. Did that make any sense?
     
  14. HHRdave
    Joined: Jul 31, 2006
    Posts: 1,068

    HHRdave
    BANNED
    from So Cal

    Nice work, great pictures... my only suggestion: I would like to see all the metal cleaned before welding. Welding onto rusty metal is not a good idea.
     
  15. moses
    Joined: Dec 7, 2004
    Posts: 1,101

    moses
    Member

    looking good...jeffrey
     
  16. KING CHASSIS
    Joined: Aug 28, 2005
    Posts: 1,862

    KING CHASSIS
    Member

    Thanks, I want to do that do mine. Now I know how.
     
  17. Reverse firewall
    Reversed firewall
    Reversing firewall
    Awesome tech thread, just adding Terms for searching so the next Guy searching can find it .
     
    -Brent- and zapp69 like this.
  18. striper
    Joined: Mar 22, 2005
    Posts: 4,498

    striper
    Member

    I can appreciate why you would do this and it is probably the most "factory" looking way to make space but I think it's a real shame. The '30-'31 firewall is my favourite of all the early Fords. That bulbous look is unique to this model and looks really nice on an open hooded car. Good work on the conversion just the same.

    Pete
     
  19. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,629

    The37Kid
    Member

    Nice job! Thanks for posting the info. If you don't know it already you have an early 1930 with the multi clip cowl band, later ones don't have the square holes in the side panels.
     
  20. mullskull
    Joined: Dec 30, 2009
    Posts: 252

    mullskull
    Member

    i'm in the middle of reversing the firewall on my 31 pick up... i was wondering how you tackled bottom of the firewall, around the foot.... did you shorten the fire wall, or modify the hell out a the front mount area, specifically the part of the sub-rail that sandwiches the firewall between the cowl?
    it looks like you may have done both??
    i'll also be channeling the cab, but i wanna fit the firewall first-
    any feed back would greatly appreciated!
     
  21. porkchop4464
    Joined: Jan 20, 2009
    Posts: 880

    porkchop4464
    Member

    Awesome! I love this freakin site, man! You guys are just flat out gentlemen and awesome. My mind is made up; I am gonna do it! But I want my firewall completely flush, so I am thinking of filling 1 and 1/2 inches of the recess with plywood after welding and bolting teh firewall back up reversed, then skinning the wood with a piece of polished alum (a huge road sign a friend gave me). In other words, once recessed (flipped) I will stencil 3/4 plywood, screw it from the sides in place and then interior grommet washers with screws around the outer edge. I want a flush firewall with no curves and a polished finish. I also still think I am going to leave the bottom alone and let it stick out a few inches. So many of the 32s leave them that way, and I think they really look cool. It fills the engine bay a little better as well.
    Thanx again a million times, guys! I will post some pics this weekend after work when I am cutting, flipping, welding. and tinkering. It is hell time I get a move on on this pig.

    Pork
     
  22. LeftCoastErik
    Joined: Apr 23, 2010
    Posts: 907

    LeftCoastErik
    Member

    Good stuff..I hate the aftermarket panel I got, but I got a nice stock firewall also. I think I will go that way!
     
  23. Great info please mod's put this in the tech section.
     
  24. 48fordnut
    Joined: Nov 4, 2005
    Posts: 4,215

    48fordnut
    Member Emeritus

    Came in to ask a question about this, did a search and came up with all the info I need.Thanks, to all.
     
  25. Hotrodmyk
    Joined: Jan 7, 2011
    Posts: 2,302

    Hotrodmyk
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Northwest HAMBers

    Any pics of the finished car?
     
  26. nexxussian
    Joined: Mar 14, 2007
    Posts: 3,240

    nexxussian
    Member

    It appears to be his current avatar. :)

    Other than that, I dunno.
     
  27. nxcess
    Joined: Mar 30, 2013
    Posts: 108

    nxcess
    Member
    from Mesa, AZ

    There was an article in I believe Street Rodder mag a couple of months ago showing this.
    Good job.
     
  28. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,254

    brady1929
    Member

  29. captainjunk#2
    Joined: Mar 13, 2008
    Posts: 4,420

    captainjunk#2
    Member

    you made that look easy and I think the firewall looks way better reversed great job
     

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