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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 10:12 AM
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Default Sealer for Firewall Insulation Retainers

My 69 AIM shows some type of sealer was used on the firewall insulation retainers (rubber push pins). I'm wondering what if anything others have used in this application. Thanks, Rick
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 11:04 AM
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I don't know what the factory used, so if your doing an NCRS resto, someone else will have to advise what to use.

If your just trying to seal out water, any RTV/silicone will work. Clear or black colored are pretty much off the shelf items at any auto parts store.
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 11:25 AM
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Thanks 69Monzacpe. I couldn't find evidence of anything on the ones that came out of it.

Not NCRS. Goal is just to wind up with a really well functioning car. That's what I'll do. The black silicone sounds like a good idea. Rick
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by 69L46vert
My 69 AIM shows some type of sealer was used on the firewall insulation retainers (rubber push pins). I'm wondering what if anything others have used in this application. Thanks, Rick
Hi Rick, not sure what you are talking about. I will need to do that also.
Thanks
Roger
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 07:49 AM
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Black 3M weatherstrip cement.
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Black 3M weatherstrip cement.
Where exactly are these firewall retainers located. Inside the firewall or in the engine compartment?
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by 69L46vert
Thanks 69Monzacpe. I couldn't find evidence of anything on the ones that came out of it.

Not NCRS. Goal is just to wind up with a really well functioning car. That's what I'll do. The black silicone sounds like a good idea. Rick
If you are talking about the inside firewall insulation, and you are not looking to go NCRS, I (and I believe most) do not use the factory style firewall insulation with the push pins, I use a modern heat/sound barrier such as dynamat.

Do you currently have the dash pulled?
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by rvzio
Where exactly are these firewall retainers located. Inside the firewall or in the engine compartment?
Hi Roger, The retainers are rubber plugs that hold the interior firewall insulation in place. There are 3 on the pass side just below the heater box and approx. 6 on the drivers side. I bought the original style firewall insulation and it was pricey. It is the type that seems to be made of old ground up rags with a black rubber facing on the inside of it. The stuff that mice really seem to prefer. lol

BTW those plugs were very difficult for me to install yesterday. I don't know if the GM workers used a special tool or not but they are hard to get in. I;m working up under the dash now and not having much fun doing it. Gotta go out and start in again.

I plan to install new wiring harnesses today. I bought new ones and they are super nice. They were expensive but when I look at the old harnesses compared to the new ones, it was definitely worth it. Rick
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Mashman
If you are talking about the inside firewall insulation, and you are not looking to go NCRS, I (and I believe most) do not use the factory style firewall insulation with the push pins, I use a modern heat/sound barrier such as dynamat.

Do you currently have the dash pulled?
Hi Mashman, Yes the dash is out, column is out too. I am using the factory type insulation but am supplementing it with reflectix. If I were to do it again, I would just use the reflectix or dynamat but had already bought the original stuff back when I was thinking more towards NCRS.. Boy, those push pins were hard to get in. Rick
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by rvzio
Where exactly are these firewall retainers located. Inside the firewall or in the engine compartment?
Check AIM page J 94. They have a part number embossed on them. 3868790. Rick
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by 69L46vert
Check AIM page J 94. They have a part number embossed on them. 3868790. Rick
Okay Rick, now I'am with you. Yea that rubber backed insulation is very pricey. Can you lube the plugs to put them in? In any case let me know how you did get them in. Can you use a large socket and the hammer gun. I don't know just brain storming. Good luck
Roger
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by rvzio
Okay Rick, now I'am with you. Yea that rubber backed insulation is very pricey. Can you lube the plugs to put them in? In any case let me know how you did get them in. Can you use a large socket and the hammer gun. I don't know just brain storming. Good luck
Roger
I used a sawed off screwdriver about 3/16" diameter. It has to be sawed off at the right length to bottom out in the plug so that the screwdriver's handle does the pushing. The vendors actually sell a tool for it but that's what it amounts to. Check the catalogs to see what I mean. Even with the tool it's not easy since the holes are smaller than the plugs. I still have some on the driver's side that aren't in because I'm waiting to get the column in first because some of the insulation goes around the column.

Maybe new ones go in easier but I used my old ones since they were right here. Rick
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 02:00 PM
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Hi Rick,
The plugs are also used for the carpet installation in both the front foot-wells and on the rear compartment bulkhead.
So having a tool and some lubricant will come in handy.
The original plugs have often gotten quite hard and can be difficult to reuse.
The new plugs vary in how soft they are depending on where they've come from.
Some people recommend making it a 2 person job…. one inside with the plug, lubricant, and tool, and the other person outside with a pliers to gently grab the snout of the plug and help pull it into position.
I ruin about 1 plug for every 2 I get in place.
I find both the firewall blanket and carpet plugs around the steering column, and forward of the gas pedal, to be especially difficult.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 10, 2014 at 02:08 PM.
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi Rick,
The plugs are also used for the carpet installation in both the front foot-wells and on the rear compartment bulkhead.
So having a tool and some lubricant will come in handy.
The original plugs have often gotten quite hard and can be difficult to reuse.
The new plugs vary in how soft they are depending on where they've come from.
Some people recommend making it a 2 person job…. one inside with the plug, lubricant, and tool, and the other person outside with a pliers to gently grab the snout of the plug and help pull it into position.
I ruin about 1 plug for every 2 I get in place.
I find both the firewall blanket and carpet plugs around the steering column, and forward of the gas pedal, to be especially difficult.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thanks Alan. That was what I did today. Just got done and it was a heck of a job. You're right about the ones around the steering column. Was a bit frustrating at least for a while.

I installed the steering column and the fuse panel/dash harness too. I'll be glad when this part of the project is all done!

I did use the pull method on the ones that I could. It was by far the easiest way. They pull easier than they push. Rick
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Mashman
If you are talking about the inside firewall insulation, and you are not looking to go NCRS, I (and I believe most) do not use the factory style firewall insulation with the push pins, I use a modern heat/sound barrier such as dynamat.

Do you currently have the dash pulled?
I think most will tell you that DynaMat may be a sound barrier, but it is not much of a heat barrier.
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Old Nov 11, 2014 | 10:44 AM
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Half way through yesterday's job. Working alone it is hard to get the column in. I tied it up to the dash brace to make it easier. The new LL wiring harnesses are really nice. Rick
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Old Nov 11, 2014 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by 69L46vert
Half way through yesterday's job. Working alone it is hard to get the column in. I tied it up to the dash brace to make it easier. The new LL wiring harnesses are really nice. Rick
Hi Rick, I bet that was hard by yourself. Know question. The silver insulation / heat is that a stock item or just carpet jute and carpet.
Everything looks real nice.
R
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Old Nov 11, 2014 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by rvzio
Hi Rick, I bet that was hard by yourself. Know question. The silver insulation / heat is that a stock item or just carpet jute and carpet.
Everything looks real nice.
R
Hi Roger. That stuff is called Reflectix. Not stock. It's like bubble pack insulation. Supposed to work good for keeping heat out of the cabin. Mice don't go for it either like they do the jute. I got it at home depot along with a can of 3M "77" spray adhesive and a roll of aluminum tape. It's very inexpensive. I did use stock insulation at the heater box and around the steering column but this will take the place of the jute carpet underlayment. My car is NOM and I'm not going NCRS but most of it is reasonably close. Rick
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Old Nov 11, 2014 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 69L46vert
Hi Roger. That stuff is called Reflectix. Not stock. It's like bubble pack insulation. Supposed to work good for keeping heat out of the cabin. Mice don't go for it either like they do the jute. I got it at home depot along with a can of 3M "77" spray adhesive and a roll of aluminum tape. It's very inexpensive. I did use stock insulation at the heater box and around the steering column but this will take the place of the jute carpet underlayment. My car is NOM and I'm not going NCRS but most of it is reasonably close. Rick
Got it!
Thanks Rick
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