Firewall hole filling conundrum....

[woodscavenger]

While I had my cab off I decided to teach myself to weld so I have been busily patching all of the holes in the firewall. Since this truck was definitely not all together when I got it I do not know what some of the holes are for. Before I get crazy and fill em up I thought I might ask for help. The people who had this truck for some reason opened up several large ones in the firewall for some unknown reason. So far I have patche about 50 holes and have about 15 to go.

On the driver side there is an hole about 1.5" in diameter that sits in a channel than is recessed in the firewall where the firewall was stamped. It is about 18" below the level of the hood. It is the largest hole on that side. Does anything need to go through there?

I am going to patch everything but the heater box holes if I can.

There are also two or three that are in the middle, high under the recessed lip of the cowl vent. Two of them had grommets and one has a 1/2" rubber hose section going through. It was never connected to anything and I have electric wipers. Can I plug these or will I kick myself in the but in 6 months when I try putting it all back together?

[Reg Evans]

I'll post what photos I have of my 52 stock firewall. Someone else will have some other shots too.

[Merle Coggins]

Shane,

Here are a couple pics that I took of my firewall when I was disassembling it. All of these holes are used for something. The large one you mention near the top right of center is where your electrical harness come out (see pic #3). The rest are for other things including wire clip mounts, oil pressure line, cowl drain hose, vaccume wiper hose, and the clips that hold the firewall pad on the inside.

Merle

PS. did you get my PM about the shock mount? Do you need a right or left upper mount?

[woodscavenger]

If you look at the drivers side bracket that holds the support rod (yours has a wire looped in it right now) then go down to the recessed stamped area mine has the 1.5" hole there. Can't figure out what it's for.

BTW you guys sure are fast at getting info up on the board! Thanks

[Merle Coggins]

I'd have to say that someone added that one. All of the holes in mine are factory originals except for the 2 on the passenger side for the heater core tubes and the heater mounting studs.

Also, I have your shock mounts ready to ship out to you but I need to know if you need a right or left side upper mount.

[woodscavenger]

I am getting my wife to send the Paypal. The one in the pic was the one I needed. Thanks.

[grey beard]

Shane,

I've been reading on this forum for more than two years. In that time, I have saved more than two hundred photos of engine compartments. These are all out there in the archives section for you to read. My advice to you is that you might wanna' stop welding and do a little more research. If you started with a basket case, it is sort of difficult to appreciate how each of these holes are used, but they all have their purposes. In addition to the holes you mentioned, there are at least six small holes drilled to accept the inside firewall cardboard insulation panel that was secured with push snap clips from he inside out into the engine compartment.

Good luck reading the archives. There are nearly eight years worth to peruse. It takes a while. That's what I do when I can't sleep at night . . . . . . ugggghhh.

[MBF]

Good thing that insomnia!