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Thread: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

  1. #1
    Bogan Hunter Grease Monkey
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    Default Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    I have recessed my firewall around 70mm and was wondering if there would be any issues with using good old fibreglass to seal it up again.

    The holes I need to fill are around 200x150.

    I wasn't planning on using fibreglass over the entire hole though, I was going to shape some flatbar every 20mm or so running down the hole. Then glass over the whole lot. Inside and out.

    The reason for considering this is the only own a tig and tigging thin sheet is a PITA.

    How structural is a firewall? If I glass it up thick, surely it'll be strong enough....

  2. #2
    Junior Member Too Much Toyota oldcorollas's Avatar
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    fibreglass isn't.. fireproof.. is it?

    the whole point of a firewall is to stop an engine fire getting into the cabin and killing you...

    metal is better

    as for tig.. why not make pieces of metal bigger than the hole and weld the two sheets together overlapped.. gives you twice the metal to work with..
    "I'm a Teaspoon, not a mechanic"
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  3. #3
    Toymods Pimp Chief Engine Builder Norbie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    Firewall is very structural, I wouldn't be cutting any corners in that area.

  4. #4
    Bogan Hunter Grease Monkey
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    Ahhh yes. Fire.

    Must admis that slipped my mind. I was thinking along the lines of strength etc.
    So is fibreglass definately not fireproof? Trying to think where fibreglass is used in dangerous areas. Boat engine bays....?

    It is possible I guess, to sheet the holes up. Was desperately trying to avoid it though. Just have to go real slow with the current turned right down

  5. #5
    Bogan Hunter Grease Monkey
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    Quote Originally Posted by Norbie
    Firewall is very structural, I wouldn't be cutting any corners in that area.
    Was hoping fibreglass wasn't cutting corners if I do it right....

  6. #6
    Junior Member Too Much Toyota oldcorollas's Avatar
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    borrow a MIG? exchange TIG for MIG favours?

    you can probably get fire-resistant resins for fibreglass, but they are not fireproof, and they are nowhere near as strong as metal in this situation.. metal = good
    "I'm a Teaspoon, not a mechanic"
    "There is hardly anything in the world that a man can not make a little worse and sell a little cheaper" - John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

    AU$TRALIA... come and stay and PAY and PAY!!! The moral high horse of the world!

  7. #7
    JZ Powered Too Much Toyota EldarO's Avatar
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    just hire a MIG, not that expensive.

    Elmo.

  8. #8
    Forum Member 1st year Apprentice
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    iv been a panel beater for 18 years and im telling you now that the firewall is basicly the strengh to the front end of the car,dont worry about fire,just worry about the car turning into a cork sreww the first time you nail the throttle or go around a corner,even cars that have been welded properly crack and sometimes fail in the area.


    scott

  9. #9
    Is a Chief Engine Builder wilbo666's Avatar
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gabe
    The reason for considering this is the only own a tig and tigging thin sheet is a PITA.
    I thought TIG was the shit for something like that!

    Cheers
    Wilbo

  10. #10
    Bogan Hunter Grease Monkey
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    That's what I was chasing. Someone who knows, saying it's not going to work.

    Wilbo, not sure. I find TIG good for anything from say 2mm up to 10 or 12mm.
    Anything lower than that and a)it takes too long to weld, and i'm an impatient kinda guy.

    I get greedy and turn the current up, in an effort to go faster, then start swiss-cheesing the steel. To be honest, I think i'll just bite the bullet, bend up the steel and TIG it. If it aint strong enough, of fireproof, I have no option.

  11. #11
    tilting at windmills Carport Converter Ben Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    Have you not got a foot pedal?

    I'd be going for the MIG every time, I'm not patient enough to TIG something like that.
    Strange things are afoot at the circle K

  12. #12
    Forum Sponsor Conversion King
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    Quote Originally Posted by wilbo666
    I thought TIG was the shit for something like that!

    Cheers
    Wilbo
    yes it is but its also slkow and painful.
    mig is point and shoot and makes the whole process easier.

    cheers
    linden
    Quote Originally Posted by WHITCHY
    Prefer someone around the Sydney area but will travel a few hours for a good box!

  13. #13
    Forum Sponsor Conversion King
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ben Wilson
    Have you not got a foot pedal?
    id like to see that, some poor bastard lying on his back trying to weld and push on a pedal at the same time. that would be a pisser

    cheers
    linden
    Quote Originally Posted by WHITCHY
    Prefer someone around the Sydney area but will travel a few hours for a good box!

  14. #14
    tilting at windmills Carport Converter Ben Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    Elbow, knee, back of your head - they all work when you're "in position"
    Strange things are afoot at the circle K

  15. #15
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    Default Re: Firewall mods. Fibreglass OK?

    sorta.
    ive built a few cages in my time and trust me when i say its a shitload easier just to set and weld.
    pedal is good for getting it to pool quicker but it can also be a pita if your not comfortable.

    cheers
    linden
    Quote Originally Posted by WHITCHY
    Prefer someone around the Sydney area but will travel a few hours for a good box!

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