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
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
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.
Quote from: 169INDY on December 15, 2018, 04:33:31 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
..."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... :)
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.
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
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.
Ah, you were the one!
Quote from: Mike S on December 15, 2018, 07:50:38 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
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.
Quote from: Mike S on December 15, 2018, 07:50:38 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.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4905/44522939360_0382b787c5.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2aQkGHw)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4864/44522938730_d430e2fce8.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2aQkGwE)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4879/45427552485_a5e0c47445.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cdh5Fx)
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
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.
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
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)...
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.
http://camaros.com/
Quote from: 169INDY on December 16, 2018, 11:17:53 PM
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
That's a great tool Jim as I punctured one of those rascals but had spares luckily. I used some of my faithful lubricant Dawn Detergent to put plugs in and then a gentile wipe on the firewall side and bingo. I bet you could rent that tool out to people. LOL
Quiet ride:
https://www.quietride.com/firewall.html
https://www.ss396.com/gm/GMF-6769-HC.html