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I'm cleaning up the firewall on my 56 from previous damage and/or modifications from previous owners. I have a pattern low on the firewall close to the dimmer switch that I am unable to identify. I've looked through the AIM and NCRS documentation and haven't come across a reference to it (but I am probably blind). I'd like to know if it is supposed to be there, or if I should fill the holes.
The picture below is taken from inside the engine compartment, looking aft. The frame is currently a pale yellow color. The pattern in question is circled in white. Thanks for any insight anyone can provide!
I'm cleaning up the firewall on my 56 from previous damage and/or modifications from previous owners. I have a pattern low on the firewall close to the dimmer switch that I am unable to identify. I've looked through the AIM and NCRS documentation and haven't come across a reference to it (but I am probably blind). I'd like to know if it is supposed to be there, or if I should fill the holes.
The picture below is taken from inside the engine compartment, looking aft. The frame is currently a pale yellow color. The pattern in question is circled in white. Thanks for any insight anyone can provide!
I just looked through my restoration photos of #3241 from 2006 and I can't quite get oriented to your photo in order to help. Can you shoot another photo that is back from the firewall so I can get oriented a little better? In other words, show me a broader view of the firewall. I have a bunch of before and afters and don't see anything like this, but I may have missed it because of my orientation. I just want to be sure in order to help you.
Last edited by Panama 58; Jul 23, 2021 at 08:36 AM.
I will try to get another photo, but in the meantime: The photo is taken from inside the engine compartment (i am sitting on the floor looking aft, just on the other side of the firewall from the drivers position). The yellowish triangle towards the bottom is the arm welded on the frame at the forward outboard drivers side body mount. The body is sitting on the yellowish colored frame. The single hole with smaller holes above and below it is the dimmer switch. The LH fender skirt starts just to the right of the dimmer switch hole. Sorry for not being clear earlier.
Last 56, I am still a little disoriented on this photo, but here is an inside drivers side view that may help. Although you can't see the dimmer switch for orientation, you can see the emergency brake mechanism and the washer system foot pump. Not sure if the location of the foot pump is where your question area is. Does your car have a washer bag rack and or washer bag hanging on the left inner fender well? If you do have a washer foot pump, check the configuration of the attachment bolts to see if anything aligns. Otherwise, I have no other photos that show this area from the engine compartment.
This firewall map is something I've been looking for for a while! I'd like to get a full size copy of it. If it is OK with you, I'll PM my email address.
On a MT car, the washer pump mounts in the lower left firewall insulation attaching hole (according to the NCRS documentation). That particular area is intact so I am good with that location.
I don't seem to have any parts with this particular bolt pattern. It sits so low that I can't believe it would be a mounting for anything for the driver. I think it would have to be a component mounting in the engine compartment. So far, I am definitely leaning towards filling them.
My car has a windshield washer pump, it’s no where near where your bolt holes are.
I would love to know what was mounted on your firewall. If only these cars could talk.
That is exactly what I thought it was for - until I got my pump and realized it mounts by a single hole! Then I joined NCRS and figured out that it mounts in the lower left hole of the firewall insulation.
I'm stumped!
My car has a windshield washer pump, it’s no where near where your bolt holes are.
I would love to know what was mounted on your firewall. If only these cars could talk.
I sure agree with that. We would have a very LONG conversation!!
Are you sure there was anything mounted in those holes? The reason I ask is at least in the photo you provided there is no evidence left behind of any sort of mounting edge, washer indents, overspray where something would have been there and then removed leaving a paint edge, etc. Does it look the same from inside the footwell? That would be a helpful photo. I am stumped too.
Does it look the same from inside the footwell? That would be a helpful photo. I am stumped too.
No, I am not sure that anything was ever mounted in these holes. The holes are not ragged at all, so I thought they might have been factory installed. Now I am doubting it.
The below picture is taken from inside the driver component and shows the dimmer switch and parking brake holes for orientation.
Over the years almost anything could have been installed.
In 1969, I added a couple small green lights behind the grille of my '67, ran a wire to a switch I mounted on a small bracket on the bottom lip of the instrument cluster. Sitting at the hang-out parking lot at the ice cream stand, they made the car stand out and were cool. No, I wouldn't do it today, but back then "cool" sometimes came in strange ways! I have to wonder if whoever has the car today ever looks at the holes from that little modification and wonders what the hell they were for.
You don't suppose they had some sort of Klaxon horn mounted down there? Stomp on a button to make "Ooo-gah"?
Last edited by Railroadman; Jul 28, 2021 at 09:38 PM.
No, I am not sure that anything was ever mounted in these holes. The holes are not ragged at all, so I thought they might have been factory installed. Now I am doubting it.
The below picture is taken from inside the driver component and shows the dimmer switch and parking brake holes for orientation.
In this photo, I can see a faintly lighter circular area that encompasses all five of these holes. Something with a circular flange appears to have been resting on this surface at some point. I couldn't begin to suggest what it might have been.
There is a lot of knowledge coming at you with this thread, and none of us are remotely aware what might have been in that spot. Instead of filling the holes, leave them open just in case you do discover what they are. They will be covered by the carpet inside and low enough on the outer firewall that they won't be seen. If anything they are a great conversation starter. Good luck with your build and as mentioned, I have a ton of restoration pics from my '56 if you should need more help. Garry
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Help Identifying Bolt Pattern in 56 Firewall
I have to wonder if whoever has the car today ever looks at the holes from that little modification and wonders what the hell they were for. 
