Guest clamshells Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Between the idiot before me, mice and my adventure accessing the heater core the insulation on my 65's firewall looks like Lee Roy Brown (a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone for you embryos). Has anyone replaced (preferable section(s) of this rubber-like sided jute?Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 When I had my dash out of the car in the 1990's I made anew style one. I cut 1/16th solid rubber to fit the firewall. I used that as a pattern for a second layer. And I sandwiched in a 1/2" layer of cellular foam sheet. It works fine.Rubber is a real good sound deadener and I have used it under door panels to quiet cars (a couple of tinny Fords). I might have a picture floating around. I'll check.Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clamshells Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 When I had my dash out of the car in the 1990's I made anew style one. I cut 1/16th solid rubber to fit the firewall. I used that as a pattern for a second layer. And I sandwiched in a 1/2" layer of cellular foam sheet. It works fine.Rubber is a real good sound deadener and I have used it under door panels to quiet cars (a couple of tinny Fords). I might have a picture floating around. I'll check.BernieHi Bernie,I was thinking of using cardboard to make a pattern but didn't have a good idea of materials to use. Your method saves a step using the rubber instead of cardboard to make the membrane and use it for a pattern to cut insulation material. Excellent!Thanks,Clams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CARS, Inc. Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 We have a complete replacement should you want to go the whole nine yardsHere is the link to our website:http://www.oldbuickparts.com/catalog/1963-up-riviera-group-firewall-insulator-1963-65-riviera-p-1500.htmlJeff @ CARS, Inc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clamshells Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 [ATTACH=CONFIG]241328[/ATTACH]We have a complete replacement should you want to go the whole nine yardsHere is the link to our website:http://www.oldbuickparts.com/catalog/1963-up-riviera-group-firewall-insulator-1963-65-riviera-p-1500.html[quote=CARS, Inc.;1282580This piece looks correct less the vacuum trunk and A/C line hole(s). The drivers side in my car is unmolested I could replace 1/2 now and the other 1/2 if needed at a later time. Nice options from Bernie and Jeff@CARS.Thanks,Clams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 The driver's side is the most difficult due to the brackets. I would have used a replacement but they weren't available in 1994. I do have a shipping box from Cars at that time period. O bought everything they had available.The sandwiching technique allowed me to cut around the steering and pedal brackets and seal the material. The actual insulation goes under those items. It is a big job.Here is is going back together. Lots has been reinstalled. You can see the rubber under the heater distribution box. Film pictures scanned, that was pre-digital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clamshells Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 My drivers side is unmolested. I am very tempted to use the panel from CARS and save the drivers side if I ever need to get in that side. Since my Gran Sport lost its LX I am not going all out on the car just making a solid driver: my practice car prelude.Thank you for the pic.Clams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clamshells Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 I changed the heater core on my 66 AC car, so how bad could a 65 AC car possibly be? For those who know I feel your pain.Gawd forbid I ever do it again the hood, pass hood hinge and exchanger bucket comes out right after the seats. Pull the distributor and fender mounted vacuum tank too.Anyway............this is more about the aftermarket firewall insulation I ended up being very unhappy with. I didn't expect the existing firewall insulation to "give away" to the extent it did, so after I had all the heater core housing out I immediately ordered a nice looking piece that turned into a total PITA.Driver side issues: cut outs for harness bulkheads were wrong (yes both) even the "knock out" provision required over sizing and the cut out for the brake to firewall bracket was off and required enough work they might as well not even make the hole and leave a guy thinking it is good, it isn't. once in place I wasn't going backwards and cutting it place was very difficult.Passenger side: No knock out for vacuum lines, but I saw that one and simply notched from the top down. No provision for the vacuum trunk hose but no biggie there. Since it took just short of 4 weeks to get the firewall insulation I was no longer familiar with the removal and had to cut (again in place) for the exchanger bucket brackets to firewall and both AC drain hose holes.I'll take my share of responsibility for forgetting the bracket cut outs but I ever do another firewall insulation I'll buy material make it myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 I am reminded of a job I did replacing the door seal on a 1941 Cadillac 62 series 4 door, a lot like a '41 Buick. Parts and labor came out to about $650. The owner was appalled at the outrageous cost. So I told him that he could help and I would reduce the price by $25 per hour if he helped.We each took a side and started removing the original rubber from the A pillar back. 45 minutes later he had had the pillar done and nor real well. Sweat was rolling of him and his shirt was soaked. He politely asked if I would give him a ride home and finish the job by myself.Another car hobby caterpillar bursts forth and spreads his butterfly wings.Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clamshells Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 I am reminded of a job I did replacing the door seal on a 1941 Cadillac 62 series 4 door, a lot like a '41 Buick. Parts and labor came out to about $650. The owner was appalled at the outrageous cost. So I told him that he could help and I would reduce the price by $25 per hour if he helped.We each took a side and started removing the original rubber from the A pillar back. 45 minutes later he had had the pillar done and nor real well. Sweat was rolling of him and his shirt was soaked. He politely asked if I would give him a ride home and finish the job by myself.Another car hobby caterpillar bursts forth and spreads his butterfly wings.BernieBack in my comfort zone (on my feet) making the best of two wiring harnesses close to completing the engine compartment to a driver by my standards. Next week I'll be back in the dash. I feel more like a snail than a butterfly.............lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy4cruz Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 OK, so I'm in process of replacing all of the carpeting in my 65. It was badly stained so my assumption was a bad heater core. I was right. I'm removing from the inside. My question is regarding the firewall insulation though. My insulation was completely soaked, so much so that I could literally squeeze water out of it. Before I realized what I was doing I had pulled several large chunks of it off. So, just how hard is it to get to and replace the insulation? I'm semi handy but pulling a complete dash and getting it all back together is going to be a major task for me. Just what am I looking at here. Both seats and console are already out. Richard T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest carlbraun Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) I replaced mine with the complete unit from CARS...it went together well with the only problem being my addition of Dynamat, then the pad, made for a tough go of installing the dash and related pieces. but its in now. I let it sit out in the sunshine and let it get really hot...it went in well as long as nothing else is in the way. Edited July 2, 2015 by carlbraun (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now