Author Topic: Firewall pad  (Read 1582 times)

230slhouston

  • Guest
Firewall pad
« on: January 02, 2022, 04:53:38 »
Hello,
Need some advice on the firewall pad.
Is the pad installed over a foam pad first? Or do I just install as purchased?
I plan to order from authentic classics.

Thanks. 

johnk

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Avon
  • Posts: 1150
Re: Firewall pad
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2022, 12:21:56 »
You just install as purchased. There is no foam behind the firewall pad.
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

230slhouston

  • Guest
Re: Firewall pad
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2022, 15:40:06 »
Thanks.

johnk

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Avon
  • Posts: 1150
Re: Firewall pad
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2022, 17:48:11 »
Just make sure the two pieces are cut in the same direction. I got mine and the pattern did not match. It’s not very noticeable at first.
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

JohnnyC

  • Full Member
  • Regular
  • **
  • USA, CA, Escondido, CA
  • Posts: 84
Re: Firewall pad
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2022, 19:32:44 »
Hi, I purchased mine from Authentic Classics and am very satisfied with the padding pattern and fit. This took a few hours, so patience is key to a good job. This is how I did it...,

I pre-fit the pieces, with the peal-paper retained onto the padding, first by locating the left and right sides, then taped the left side in place for reference when installing the right side. Some of the curves and hole cutouts are not located on the firewall padding from the mfg 100%, so we can only work with what we have. The center hood latch was my starting location for the left and right side pads. Then, I set-up the right side which I had to trim the upper edge just a little for the firewall holes and edges to align better. This was done in conjunction with preheating the compound curves with a hairdryer and letting it cool.  This helped retain the firewall shape into the padding. After heating/cooling this a few times, I knew adhering of the pad to the firewall would be good. The retained in place left firewall padding assisted with locating the right side.  I pealed about 3" inches of the peal-paper from the upper left half, then located the padding with the lower not sticking.   I adhered the upper edge while making sure I had firewall hole, edge clearances, and compound curves located (with the hairdryer available to assist making sure the padding did not acquire air bubbles in certain recessed curved areas) as best as I could get them. I also used a small roller to press out air bubbles and adhere the padding. Being satisfied with the upper left side located, I then removed the lower about another 3-4" portion of the peal-paper working downward and so forth. I did the same basic method/procedure on the left side padding. 

If you have any questions, please contact me.
Cheers and God Bless, John
« Last Edit: January 02, 2022, 19:51:15 by JohnnyC »
John
'70 280SL (In Rebuild), Dk Olive
'85 BMW Euro M635csi, Polaris Silver
'54 MG TF, Black
'01 Lazy Daze RV, White/Tan
'10 Genesis Coupe, Silver
'19 F150, Black

Shvegel

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Cleveland Heights
  • Posts: 2978
Re: Firewall pad
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2022, 10:04:46 »
My 1970 came with a grey foam backing from the factory but I elected to not recreate it because my original pad was falling away where the foam had perished.  Considering the right side pad could easily drop onto the exhaust I deviated from the original specification.

john.mancini

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA: Nokomis, FL and Chatham, MA
  • Posts: 619
Re: Firewall pad
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2022, 00:34:49 »
Here's a photo of my original firewall pad. There's only about 41K original miles at the time of this photo. I don't see any foam backing.
John
68 280SL 906 Blue 4-sp
69 280SL 906 Blue
70 280SL 904 Blue
70 280SL 571 Red
70 280SL 040 Black 4-sp
66 230SL 162 Blue/Grey 
68 280SL 568 Red 4-sp
69 280SL 304 Horizon Blue
65 230SL 519 Red 4-sp
83 911SC
98 911 cab
56 Ford F100
08 RS60
62 Corvette Fuelie
66 GT350H
67 GT350
70 LT1 conv