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Thread: Firewall Brace

  1. #1
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    Firewall Brace

    Did I, or am I missing something??

    The top edge of the firewall just flaps in the breeze.
    There's that convenient angled brace about midships for the dashboard hoop, and it just begs for a wedge-shaped piece to anchor the firewall mid-span.

    Is this an included piece of tin, or do I need to fab it?
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  2. #2
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    You are right, without it the dash is rather flimsy at midpoint. Some people go with a custom thicker firewall. I made a brace with aluminum angle, plate and 3/16” rivets. Make sure it’s location doesn’t interfere with any dash gauges, etc.
    MKIV #8740, Canadian base kit, Picked up Dec. 2015, ‘98 Cobra 4.6 l DOHC, T45 transmission, old style IRS, Art Cuesta dieted harness/Ron Francis chassis harness, go-cart July 2018.

  3. #3
    Senior Member BEAR-AvHistory's Avatar
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    You can fab it or buy one from some of the aftermarket guys. Worth doing.
    Kevin
    MKIV #8234
    Coyote '14/TKO-600/3-Link 3:55 Rear
    I love the smell of 100 octane in the morning.
    NITTO NT01 275X40X17ZR - 315X35ZRX17
    Delivered 2/7/14 - Plate "COYOTE NC1965" 3/25/15

  4. #4
    Senior Member edwardb's Avatar
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    You mean like this? http://www.replicaparts.com/firewall...ort%20page.htm

    It's not as bad as it seems though. With the bulb seal and body + windshield pushing down on it will be different than now. But a brace or thicker material doesn't hurt anything. Especially if you're hanging stuff on it like a heater. As Mike says on his webpage.
    Build 1: Mk3 Roadster #5125. Sold 11/08/2014. Build 2: Mk4 Roadster #7750. Sold 04/10/2017. Build Thread
    Build 3: Mk4 Roadster 20th Anniversary #8674. Sold 09/07/2020. Build Thread and Video. Build 4: Gen 3 Type 65 Coupe #59. Gen 3 Coyote. Legal 03/04/2020. Build Thread and Video
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  5. #5
    Senior Member cv2065's Avatar
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    I bought the thicker firewall. Nice piece.
    MKIV Roadster - #9380 - Complete Kit - Delivered 7/17/18 - SOLD 5/2023
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  6. #6
    Senior Member rich grsc's Avatar
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    Not really necessary. Hows it going to move? As Edward says the body holds it firm, and nothing to cause it to move.

  7. #7
    Senior Member AC Bill's Avatar
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    I made my own. Looks just like the commercially made one, but I cut a hole in the center to allow for wire harness to pas through. With a heater, and a wiper motor mounted to the firewall, as well as a stand off-plate I made for attaching Wiring Bus blocks, it seemed appropriate to make the firewall a little more solid.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  8. #8
    Senior Member Avalanche325's Avatar
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    There is nothing that needs to be fixed. The stock firewall works fine.

  9. #9

    Steve >> aka: GoDadGo
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    Quote Originally Posted by Avalanche325 View Post
    There is nothing that needs to be fixed. The stock firewall works fine.
    I'm with Avalanche on this subject, but I did add a 1/8" aluminum plate to the far right hand side of the firewall to give me a stronger foundation for my wiper motor. Other than that the piece works well.

    Good Luck!

  10. #10
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    I'm with Avalanche on this subject, but I did add a 1/8" aluminum plate to the far right hand side of the firewall to give me a stronger foundation for my wiper motor.
    Great minds think alike... Wiper_06.jpg Wiper_08.jpg

    I think I'll still make up a triangular piece to stiffen the center section. It'll have through-holes for wiring/etc.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

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