Steering column thru firewall

[Harwyn B.]

On a '61, when the steering column is mounted through the firewall, what's the mounting sequence of the plates, seals, etc when going through the firewall. As I understand, progressing from the engine compartment into the under the dash area, it is the steel firewall plate screwed to the firewall fiberglass with a thin foam seal between the steel plate and the firewall fiberglass, then the firewall fiberglass itself, then on the cockpit side a 1/2 inch thick foam seal and finally the steel cored hard rubber seal. All held together with a 1-3/4 inch 1/4-20 phillips head screw, flat and lock washer and nut. I understand that's the proper sequence and if not, would someone please let me know? Finally when looking at the assembly from the driver's side footwell, is the hard rubber seal mounted over or under the firewall insulation? I.E. can the hard rubber seal be seen from the cockpit or is it hidden under the insulation. Any comments are extremely welcome.

[Keith R.]

Re: Steering column thru firewall

This may be helpful to you:

C1 steering column firewall seal/insulation

On my '60, the sequence is the same as what you outlined. The hard rubber seal with the integral metal plate is set in position over the firewall insulation. Otherwise, you may not have the access to the head of the screws to tighten the assembly. Don't forget to put the "cement" as the AIM calls it on the firewall plate. In my case, I used a bead of dum-dum so that it squished out around the perimeter of the plate on the firewall side as the assembly was tightened down.

[Harwyn B.]

Re: Steering column thru firewall

This may be helpful to you:

C1 steering column firewall seal/insulation


On my '60, the sequence is the same as what you outlined. The hard rubber seal with the integral metal plate is set in position over the firewall insulation. Otherwise, you may not have the access to the head of the screws to tighten the assembly. Don't forget to put the "cement" as the AIM calls it on the firewall plate. In my case, I used a bead of dum-dum so that it squished out around the perimeter of the plate on the firewall side as the assembly was tightened down.

Thanks for the reply. I also see the reference to "cement" in the AIM. I have no objection to using something (like dum-dum) but I have a thin foam seal(?) and I'm wondering if it is designed to be used in lieu of the "cement". My guess is that I should use something like dum-dum, as you've done, to be in "compliance" with the AIM.

[Keith R.]

Re: Steering column thru firewall

I used both the thin foam seal and the dum-dum Harwyn and I believe that to be correct.