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Thread: Fitting the body around the firewall

  1. #1
    Senior Member RBBJ 32 HOTROD's Avatar
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    Fitting the body around the firewall

    I am temporarily installing the body ty o test fit it. There is a wider gap at the bottom firewall to body(see picture).is this normal or do I need to do some trimming to close it up?20190708_095216.jpg
    Why are all my pictures uploaded sideways?
    33 Hot Rod w/ deluxe 32 nose
    350 SBC and 700r4 automatic, 8.8 rear with 3.55 gears
    Order date:4/25/19, Deliver date 6/10/19
    First run 10/6/2019, Go cart 11/3/2019

  2. #2
    Seasoned Citizen NAZ's Avatar
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    You should be able to get a better fit -- don't give up. On mine I could never get the passenger side to fit properly and had to fabricate a hidden mount to attach the body to the firewall so I could pull in the gap. I fabricated two mating pieces, one epoxied to the lower body inside the "horns" (lower extensions under the engine side panels) and the other attached to the lower firewall. Connecting the two draws in the body and reduces the gap like you're experiencing.
    Dart Little M 406" SBC 800 HP N/A & 1,100 HP on nitrous, 2-spd Powerglide with trans brake, 6,000 RPM stall converter, narrowed Moser 88 3.90:1 spool with 35-spline gun-drilled axles & Torino bearings, custom parallel four-link, custom tube chassis & roll cage NHRA certified for 8.5-sec (only two FFR Hot Rods have this cert).

    33 Hot Rod Super Pro Drag Racer Build: 33 HR NHRA Cert Roll Cage Build

  3. #3
    Senior Member RBBJ 32 HOTROD's Avatar
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    Thank you for the info. I was going to start by trimming a little of the body and go from there.
    33 Hot Rod w/ deluxe 32 nose
    350 SBC and 700r4 automatic, 8.8 rear with 3.55 gears
    Order date:4/25/19, Deliver date 6/10/19
    First run 10/6/2019, Go cart 11/3/2019

  4. #4
    Senior Member FF33rod's Avatar
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    I noticed the same thing when I test fit my body. I thought at first that there was some interference somewhere that was causing the side to be out too far but with closer examination I couldn't find anything. I hoping to discover a secret because I was starting to think along the lines of what Naz describes and it doesn't sound like fun.
    Gen 1 '33 Hot Rod #1104
    347 with Holley Sniper & Hyperspark, TKO600, IRS, 245/40R18 & 315/30R18, DRL, Digital Guard Dog keyless Ignition

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    Mine was similar. The edge of the lip was hitting the frame. I had to trim a little bit off to get the body to pull in tight.
    '33 Hot Rod
    Ordered: 3/25/17. Delivered: 5/6/17. 1st start: 8/24/18

    MK4 Roadster
    Ordered: 7/10/13. Delivered: 8/20/13. Completed: 10/26/15.
    I did everything except spray it. She ain't perfect, but she's mine.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    I did not commit to attaching anything to the frame before fitting the body. I trimmed enough off of both sides so the alignment was defined by the top of the firewall and the door entry attachments. When I add the nose cone and body sides that will also keep that area in line. Gen 2 seems very even so far, but the instructions are missing a bit and the trimming from FFR may leave more than you want. You can see my trims in my build progress.
    - Peterh226 #1134
    '33 Hot Rod 2nd Gen. Blueprint 383 Sniper TKO Delivered 4/14/2019
    Full Fenders, Top, 3-Link, Wilwoods
    YOKOHAMA ADVAN NEOVA AD08 R | Fr 245/45 R17 | Rr 295/30 R18
    AR605 Torq-Thrust M Chrome | Fr 17x8 | Rr 18x10

  7. #7
    Senior Member Blade's Avatar
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    I have the same issue. I was going to mount the firewall today and thought I would double check spacing. I have 5/16 firewall out from the frame tube on the sides. 2 11/16 on the upper corners. scratching my head at this point. firewall.jpg

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