need firewall patch panel

[ronmorse62]

Hey All-

The area of the firewall right behind the battery box (where there are two pressed in ribs) has a couple of good sized holes due to battery acid corrosion. My question is: does anybody know a patch panel with the stamped ribs available? I don't really have the tools to form a panel with the ribs myself, and haven't had any luck finding someone in the area who would form one for me. Could I get by with just a flat patch, or do I need the ribs (I would imagine that they put 'em there for a reason)? Any ideas?

Thanks!

Ron

 

[Rut]

Ron,
number 16 is the complete part, but you might be able to locate a parts car and get what you need.
Rut
https://www.victoriabritish.com/icatalog/sm/full.aspx?Page=17

 

[ronmorse62]

Thanks, Rut. I wish they just made a patch panel, dang $699.00...and I only need one small section. I'll have to look for a cheap parts car.

Ron

 

[apbos]

Ron
My car had corrosion only on the ribs. I just made a simple patch for them. Can you post a picture? No special tools were required.
Paul

 

[ronmorse62]

Paul, I'll post a pic when I get home tonight.

 

[Rut]

Ron,
I found a picture of my rusted out 73 parts car and wanted to check and see if this is the part you need. I hope to be down at the farm within the next week and can cut this one out if you shoot me the dimensions.
Rut

 

[HealeyRick]

AH Spares has one: https://www.ahspares.co.uk/sprite/Inner-Body-Panels/default.aspx I'd check on shipping before ordering, though. You might have better luck with a local hot rod fabrication shop like this one to make you a patch panel: https://www.snowwhiteltd.com/specialties/specialties.html My guess is the ribs are there to keep the battery away from the firewall and give some clearance for the terminals. If you're not going for a concours car, you could use a flat patch and bolt a couple of hardwood blocks to the firewall as spacers.

 

[David_Doan]

My bugeye has way more holes than I need in the firewall, including the areas where the battery ate through. I'm going to run a sheet of aluminum or stainless across the whole area, then only drill the holes I need. Got the idea from HealyRick's BJ7. His also has a fancy pattern...

 

[ronmorse62]

Rut, that's what I need! I need the section with the ribs, which works out to 5" x 11". I'll shoot you a PM. Thanks again!

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I've also seen someone fabricate one from scraps of floorpan that had have the same basic shape.

 

[Rut]

Ron,
was able to make it to the farm today and pulled a few pieces I needed along with the firewall. I didn't know how far down you rust goes so I went amost to the transmission tunnel.
Rut

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Gold stars for you Rut!!!!

 

[macsprite]

Sounds like Rut has a nice panel that will work. If not, I have a section of floor panel that has the indentations as suggested above. These smaller sections can work nicely for repair of the panel behind the battery. Let me know if needed.

Ah, and now I see Ryt's last entry. Good job Rut.

cheers
Lew

 

[markberry]

I've also seen someone fabricate one from scraps of floorpan that had have the same basic shape.

i did that on mine. It worked out great! My album, which documents the work, is on spritespot page two of the photo album section titled "1960 Bugeye refurb". Sorry I can't figure out how to do a hyper link on this I PAD for you.

 

[markberry]

https://www.spritespot.com/gallery/albums/1960-bugeye-refurb/firewall_002.jpg

 

[markberry]

https://www.spritespot.com/gallery/albums/1960-bugeye-refurb/firewall_003.jpg
https://www.spritespot.com/gallery/1960-bugeye-refurb/firewall_005
https://www.spritespot.com/gallery/1960-bugeye-refurb/firewall_001

here's three of the photos from my album. After butt welding them in place and carefully grinding down the welds with a dremal tool, the repairs only needed a small amount of filler to complete the job. I'll get back to adding more pictures to that album when I finish the paint this summer.
hope this helps.
mark

 

[ronmorse62]

Thanks, Rut! I'll send you a PM tonight.

Ron

 

[ronmorse62]

Mark, thanks for the pics! Looks nice!

Ron

 

[markberry]

Mark, thanks for the pics! Looks nice!

Ron

thanks!