Smoothing Firewall - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cornerstone · 02-22-2019, 04:45 PM

Hey guys... I've done enough searching today so that I'm running out of time to actually get some work done on this truck. You know how it is, "I'll just take a quick peek at the forum....

". So I'll just ask the question, when smoothing the firewall and using the Vintage Air kit, should I remove the section of the factory firewall that the V/A panel will cover, or just leave it and cover up the old firewall?
Brian

OARNGESI · 02-22-2019, 04:50 PM

Most smooth it and not use the panel

**Getter-Done** · 02-22-2019, 05:02 PM

Last year I went to the Rod run in Pigeon Forge.
The trucks parked on the strip with the smooth firewalls
looked so much better.
I will put an Old air system in mine.
Before seeing the difference in person (and not just pictures)
I would not have distorted my new toe panel.
Now I will make it smooth. Just my 2 cents.

**lks dcvn** · 02-22-2019, 05:10 PM

smooth it!

cornerstone · 02-22-2019, 05:29 PM

Thanks ORANGESI...

How about you Getter-Done, would you leave the original or cut out or cover original?

And how about you, lks dcvn? did you cut out, or just cover the original?
Brian

**lks dcvn** · 02-22-2019, 05:32 PM

the old firewall holes were filled with new metal.

**Getter-Done** · 02-22-2019, 06:01 PM

As of right now I plan to cut it out and fill with new metal also.
Here is my new toe panel.
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Here is a picture from a member (Rod Run)
This is what I want it to look like.
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The main truck that changed my mind was
meeting Member jhrusk and seeing his truck
in person changed my mind.
Here's a pic of his firewall.
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Hope they don't mind me
copying there pics.

Andyking1203 · 02-23-2019, 09:59 PM

I completely smoothed mine, using metal. It's not close to being done yet.. I also got rid of the wireing gutter

**derotoreut** · 02-23-2019, 10:47 PM

Smooth it out. Still planning to install VAir.

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cornerstone · 02-24-2019, 01:57 AM

Looks like you guys have been busy! I decided to use the Grumpy method for the channel. First section I cut was about 4 inches and I removed pretty much the whole “lip” of the outer channel. I took too much metal off which made welding a real pain. I kept blowing out holes. I had to put a welding rod on the upper inside of the firewall in the cab in order have enough metal for me to tie it back together to get out of that dilemma. Not wanting to go through that again, I then I sliced the top 3/16 off of the “lip” and tipped it over, laying it down to match the profile. That went well and gave it more strength, since it would now be a few layers of metal. After tacking about 250 small spots it was all together, so then it was time to grind it down smooth and get the first layer of duraglass on. Anyways, here’s how it went....
Thank y’all for the input!!

**Grumpy old man** · 02-25-2019, 05:36 AM

Well ...This is what I ended up with this weekend , A few more hours of finish work and I'll call this piece of the elephant done .

cornerstone · 02-25-2019, 11:32 AM

Looks great Grumpy. Please post more pics when you get this thing completed or maybe a build thread? By looking at your parts list I’ll bet it will be one tough truck.

cornerstone · 02-25-2019, 02:21 PM

This is as far as I was able to get til now.

**62bagger** · 03-18-2019, 07:10 PM

Really nice work. the firewalls look like what I hope to end up with. I have a couple of questions. I have 2 access panels on my 62 and none of the trucks in this thread have them. Did you remove them or is it just the 62 that has them.
I also noticed that almost all the holes were filled. how will you run your wires? Do you plan to drill new holes as needed?

**derotoreut** · 02-24-2019, 09:09 AM

I didn't cut the lip of the gutter off. Instead I formed metal and closed it in. Made a thicker piece at the center hump, which personally I liked better.

Custom 68 · 03-20-2019, 09:43 AM

you all are doing some nice clean work!
Dave

02-22-2019, 04:45 PM	#1
cornerstone Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Azle,Texas Posts: 2,248	Smoothing Firewall Hey guys... I've done enough searching today so that I'm running out of time to actually get some work done on this truck. You know how it is, "I'll just take a quick peek at the forum....". So I'll just ask the question, when smoothing the firewall and using the Vintage Air kit, should I remove the section of the factory firewall that the V/A panel will cover, or just leave it and cover up the old firewall? Brian __________________ Brian 1972 C10, "Loyd", LWB to SWB, 5.3, L83/6L80e, 4:11 Tru Trac, Air Ride, VA, DD, 20" Coys, 4 wheel disc, A quick LS swap turned into a 6 year frame off resto-mod.

02-22-2019, 04:50 PM	#2
OARNGESI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CASA GRANDE AZ Posts: 4,276	Re: Smoothing Firewall Most smooth it and not use the panel __________________ 70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger

02-22-2019, 05:02 PM	#3
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 7,724	Re: Smoothing Firewall Last year I went to the Rod run in Pigeon Forge. The trucks parked on the strip with the smooth firewalls looked so much better. I will put an Old air system in mine. Before seeing the difference in person (and not just pictures) I would not have distorted my new toe panel. Now I will make it smooth. Just my 2 cents. __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

02-22-2019, 05:10 PM	#4
lks dcvn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 4,338	Re: Smoothing Firewall smooth it! Attached Images

02-22-2019, 05:29 PM	#5
cornerstone Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Azle,Texas Posts: 2,248	Re: Smoothing Firewall Thanks ORANGESI... How about you Getter-Done, would you leave the original or cut out or cover original? And how about you, lks dcvn? did you cut out, or just cover the original? Brian __________________ Brian 1972 C10, "Loyd", LWB to SWB, 5.3, L83/6L80e, 4:11 Tru Trac, Air Ride, VA, DD, 20" Coys, 4 wheel disc, A quick LS swap turned into a 6 year frame off resto-mod.

02-22-2019, 05:32 PM	#6
lks dcvn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 4,338	Re: Smoothing Firewall the old firewall holes were filled with new metal.

02-22-2019, 06:01 PM	#7
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 7,724	Re: Smoothing Firewall As of right now I plan to cut it out and fill with new metal also. Here is my new toe panel. Here is a picture from a member (Rod Run) This is what I want it to look like. The main truck that changed my mind was meeting Member jhrusk and seeing his truck in person changed my mind. Here's a pic of his firewall. Hope they don't mind me copying there pics. __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

02-23-2019, 09:59 PM	#8
Andyking1203 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sabattus, maine Posts: 209	Re: Smoothing Firewall I completely smoothed mine, using metal. It's not close to being done yet.. I also got rid of the wireing gutter Attached Images Last edited by Andyking1203; 02-23-2019 at 10:06 PM.

02-23-2019, 10:47 PM	#9
derotoreut Roto Reuter thats the name... Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Darien, NY Posts: 1,848	Re: Smoothing Firewall Smooth it out. Still planning to install VAir. __________________ ~ Dan My 70 K10 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=782232 My 71 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651394 1970 SWB Fleet K10 4X4, 5.3L LM7, 4L60E, Dakota Digital RTX, Vintage Air, Ididit tilt 1971 SWB Fleet C10 - Original SWB Arizona truck, new custom restoration project "Kick out your motor and drive while you're still alive - kick it out!" - Heart 1977

02-24-2019, 01:57 AM	#10
cornerstone Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Azle,Texas Posts: 2,248	Re: Smoothing Firewall Looks like you guys have been busy! I decided to use the Grumpy method for the channel. First section I cut was about 4 inches and I removed pretty much the whole “lip” of the outer channel. I took too much metal off which made welding a real pain. I kept blowing out holes. I had to put a welding rod on the upper inside of the firewall in the cab in order have enough metal for me to tie it back together to get out of that dilemma. Not wanting to go through that again, I then I sliced the top 3/16 off of the “lip” and tipped it over, laying it down to match the profile. That went well and gave it more strength, since it would now be a few layers of metal. After tacking about 250 small spots it was all together, so then it was time to grind it down smooth and get the first layer of duraglass on. Anyways, here’s how it went.... Thank y’all for the input!! Attached Images __________________ Brian 1972 C10, "Loyd", LWB to SWB, 5.3, L83/6L80e, 4:11 Tru Trac, Air Ride, VA, DD, 20" Coys, 4 wheel disc, A quick LS swap turned into a 6 year frame off resto-mod.

02-25-2019, 05:36 AM	#11
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Smoothing Firewall Well ...This is what I ended up with this weekend , A few more hours of finish work and I'll call this piece of the elephant done . Attached Images __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

02-25-2019, 11:32 AM	#12
cornerstone Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Azle,Texas Posts: 2,248	Re: Smoothing Firewall Looks great Grumpy. Please post more pics when you get this thing completed or maybe a build thread? By looking at your parts list I’ll bet it will be one tough truck. __________________ Brian 1972 C10, "Loyd", LWB to SWB, 5.3, L83/6L80e, 4:11 Tru Trac, Air Ride, VA, DD, 20" Coys, 4 wheel disc, A quick LS swap turned into a 6 year frame off resto-mod.

02-25-2019, 02:21 PM	#13
cornerstone Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Azle,Texas Posts: 2,248	Re: Smoothing Firewall This is as far as I was able to get til now. Attached Images __________________ Brian 1972 C10, "Loyd", LWB to SWB, 5.3, L83/6L80e, 4:11 Tru Trac, Air Ride, VA, DD, 20" Coys, 4 wheel disc, A quick LS swap turned into a 6 year frame off resto-mod.

03-18-2019, 07:10 PM	#14
62bagger Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sonora California Posts: 264	Re: Smoothing Firewall Really nice work. the firewalls look like what I hope to end up with. I have a couple of questions. I have 2 access panels on my 62 and none of the trucks in this thread have them. Did you remove them or is it just the 62 that has them. I also noticed that almost all the holes were filled. how will you run your wires? Do you plan to drill new holes as needed? Attached Images

02-24-2019, 09:09 AM	#15
derotoreut Roto Reuter thats the name... Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Darien, NY Posts: 1,848	Re: Smoothing Firewall I didn't cut the lip of the gutter off. Instead I formed metal and closed it in. Made a thicker piece at the center hump, which personally I liked better. __________________ ~ Dan My 70 K10 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=782232 My 71 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651394 1970 SWB Fleet K10 4X4, 5.3L LM7, 4L60E, Dakota Digital RTX, Vintage Air, Ididit tilt 1971 SWB Fleet C10 - Original SWB Arizona truck, new custom restoration project "Kick out your motor and drive while you're still alive - kick it out!" - Heart 1977



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03-20-2019, 09:43 AM	#16
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,930	Re: Smoothing Firewall you all are doing some nice clean work! Dave __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

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