Where can I find a patch panel

[Edward M.]

OK, my 56 is dead in the water (actually dead in my garage, but you get the idea) until I can fix this pesky little hole in the firewall.

I tried, am I am still trying, to make a patch panel for it. Fiberglass ain't my strong suit, and this piece has multiple compound curves.

Does anyone know where I can find a small section of a 53 to 57 firewall from which I can cut a patch panel for this area. Area is just to the left of the brake master cylinder mounting location.

Any and all suggestions appreciated.

[John H.]

Re: Where can I find a patch panel

Ed -

You might try Paragon Vintage...

[Paul Y.]

Re: Where can I find a patch panel

Or you could make a backing mold out of a soft piece of thin metal and lay it up on whatever side is easiest to get at and after v ing the edges let it cure. Remove the mold and lay up on the opposite side after v ing the edges and grind and sand till it disappears. You might have to fill some screw holes also if you held the mold on with screws. Take your time, it might take you a half day. Paul

[Edward M.]

Re: Where can I find a patch panel

Or you could make a backing mold out of a soft piece of thin metal and lay it up on whatever side is easiest to get at and after v ing the edges let it cure. Remove the mold and lay up on the opposite side after v ing the edges and grind and sand till it disappears. You might have to fill some screw holes also if you held the mold on with screws. Take your time, it might take you a half day. Paul

Been working on this plan for 3 months. Took a mold off of an undamaged car. The compound curves are kicking my butt. I have been fine tuning the panel for two months (on and off).

I'll keep working on it while I check other sources.

[Paul Y.]

Re: Where can I find a patch panel

Did you take the mold from the firewall engine side? I assume that you did. If it is an accurate mold a few inches bigger than your hole you can make your new part and grind it down to fit the hole. V out all of the edges and glass the edges in from one side or the other first with it supported by some means and after it cures glass the other side and with a one inch or similar grinder , grind it to flat surface. I hope I am making sense. Paul

[Mike M.]

Re: Where can I find a patch panel

grind away(v-shape) all edges of the hole in your firewall. go to hadware store and buy a roll of stickey-backed aluminum tape(used in the heating and ventilation industry to seal joints in ventilation ductwork).adhere the aluminum tape to the cockpit side of the firewall after cleaning the firewall with lacquer thinner, stretching it so it'll hold its position. a couple layers of the tape in different directons will keep it in place when you lay up the cloth and resin. i'd use evercoat resin GEL diluted with resin liquid in a 2:1 ratio so as to avoid the 100% resin liquid running down the firewall till it kicks. good luck,mike

[Edward M.]

Re: Where can I find a patch panel

All good suggestions, but this is not a flat panel I am repairing. It has multiple compound curves. That made it tought to get a mold. I got a rought approximation of a mold from this firewall.

My patch panel fits "pretty good", but it still needs tweeking. I have been tweeking for some time now. I am tired of tweeking, I want to drive the car.

It is a case of lay glass, let dry, sand and check fit. Lay more glass, let dry, sand and check fit.

Hard to see the curves, but it curves in different directions at once.

[Steven N.]

Re: Where can I find a patch panel

Edward,

www.corvetteimage.com makes firewall pieces. They make sections if you call them, just takes a little time..............