Had a little free time today, hit the firewall.

[87 Shortwide]

I got a little more done on the firewall, mainly all in prep for the filler. Thursday on my day off I have to take it to a friend and have a small bead rolled into it to clear that crimped seam that runs off the top corner, then it'll be ready to weld on and start shaving.

[bigblock73]

Looks good bro.

I thought about shaving mine that far too, but then decided if i did that I would have to shave the middle (by the trans tunnel), and do the drivers side too. IMO, it would then look too smooth for the look I was after, so I left it alone.

Anyhow, I like yours, and can't wait to see more of it.

[87 Shortwide]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Looks good bro.

I thought about shaving mine that far too, but then decided if i did that I would have to shave the middle (by the trans tunnel), and do the drivers side too. IMO, it would then look too smooth for the look I was after, so I left it alone.

Anyhow, I like yours, and can't wait to see more of it.

Thanks man! I haven't totally decided what I'll do with the driver side yet. I am going to go with manual brakes, so the booster will be gone, but I am not sure what I'll do to shave it. I am going to go ahead and fill the seam that runs through the center portion, as well as individually fill whatever holes I won't be using. I will then put holes in to run wiring etc. out below the level of the heads, so they aren't really visible.

Now I finally have more funding for it, since I ended up not purchasing the formula. This means that before long my updates on progress shall include a large hair dryer looking doodad and alot of large pipes

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by 87 Shortwide

I will then put holes in to run wiring etc. out below the level of the heads, so they aren't really visible.

Here is a tip for ya.

Run the wiring out the bottom of the floor just behind the firewall (on the inside of the cab), then route it behind the lip/channel that runs along the backside/bottom of the firewall.

Does that make sense?

I mounted my 6AL box on the inside passenger side of the firewall, and am able to run all my wires in the above mentioned spot with all of them being invisible until they come out from hiding in order for them to reach their destination.

I too want all the wiring to be hidden, and that lip/channel is the perfect spot to do so.

EDIT: Here is a pic showing my MSD wires exiting the cab, you can also see (sort of) the area I am referring to.

[87 Shortwide]

That is a good spot. I was wanting to incorporate that lip for them for sure, as it looked perfect to hide. I can run them all before the motor is in and it will come up pretty clean.

[boxrodz]

Looks good, 87 Shortwide. Yours look good too, Jeff. I got a couple of questions for you guys. When filling the seam, are you welding them first then lead soldering them or just using body filler? Is it safe to grind down the 'crimped' seam as long as it's reinforced with welds?

[87 Shortwide]

I am not sure what I'll do about the seam from the filler panel to the firewall on mine yet. I haven't ever done any lead soldering, so that's out... As far as that crimped seam, I tacked it up closer to the wall then cut it down. I will be getting the filler panel bead rolled where that seam is, so the panel will clear it. Hopefully this will be done this week, so I will post up pics when I get it all fitted and mached up.

[boxrodz]

Thanks for the reply. I was curious since your firewall is bare, if the crimped seam somehow provided some structural support. If not then maybe it can be completely eliminated by welding the seam. Regardless, your setup looks good.

I've messed around with lead soldering but nothing real serious. Maybe, we can get The Leadslinger (Bill Hines) to give us a lesson.

[SS79chevy]

i dont know if that seam is there for structural support or not but i just took a grinder to it and grinded it flat and put a pice of sheet metal over all the holes and screwed it on i did nothing to the seam after grinding it and it has been like that for atlest 2 1/2 years and nothing has happened to it (it is daily driven and driven hard)