‘29 Firewall Notch

[AYooperA]

My lower firewall has a 3/4” wide notch starting on leading edge of floorboard support thru the z section. Originally was this correct? Or just something else I need to patch in. John

[wrndln]

The hole is where the starter rod goes through. I appears the grommet that was originally there broke, wore out or fell out and the starter rod wore a notch in the original round hole over many years. There is a starter grommet you can buy from all vendors. I have repaired holes like this several times om my A's
Rusty

[Joe K]

Wrndln has it. The grommet/escutcheon is a kind of two part affair. A metal exterior visible to the driver backed by a gasket like material with the hole for the rod to pass through. It acted as "seal" for the starter rod and also an anti-rattle device.

As to repairing it, its not terribly visible if at all with the escutcheon in place. You might just replace the escutcheon which will cover it for all but the most discerning viewers on the engine side of the firewall.



Joe K

[Keith True]

I think you guys are looking at the wrong thing.You're looking at the starter rod hole,he is talking about that notch taken out of the flange where the floorboard sits.Looks like something someone cut for the throttle to clear when the body sagged down on it.Or a notch for wires to run through.

[Charlie Stephens]

That notch is in the exact location that the top bolt of a Chevrolet transmission is located. Any chance your car has a Chevrolet transmission in at some point in its life?

Charlie Stephens

[AYooperA]

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Yes, The starter rod grommet area is fine. That notch looks odd to me as I don’t see anything that would interfere with it. Yes Maybe notched for some previous reason. Rusty, how is your phaeton project coming along? You helped me out last year when I was patching wheel wells, floor pans, sub rails and so on. John

[wrndln]

I believe we were all confused. The notch was made by Ford to provide clearance for the accelerator assembly. I took a picture of my 28 coupe and posted it below. Don't try to fill it in.


John,
I am trying to install the upholstery kit on the 29 phaeton. The painting and color sanding are done. I posted a picture of it now. I bought the kit from LeBaron Bonney obviously before they went out of business and it has been a nightmare! There have been numerous mistakes with it - some minor and some major. I think they were living the last few years on their reputation, which used to be good. I should have bough the kit from Classtique like I did for my 28 coupe.
Rusty Nelson

[AYooperA]

Rusty, Thanks for taking time to look into that with photo. I will leave that notch alone. Your Phaeton is looking great. Hang in there I know you will get that upholstery right. I was following your recent thread with the upholstery and learned a few things. I will definitely go with Classtique for my project. Body work slow but coming along. This summer I will have 3 years in but do have the running gear done. John

[Ray in La Mesa]

My. original '28 open cab pickup has the notch, I believe it is factory clearance for the throttle linkage.

[Keith True]

I have a 28 Phaeton and a 30 open cab sitting nose to nose in my cellar.The July 28 car has that notch,the 30 does not.The 28 really does need it to clear the throttle.

[rotorwrench]

There were several changes to the throttle bell crank assembly that bolts to the back of the engine. On my 29, the little lever that actuates the manual throttle control off the bell crank is right in that area where the notch is. The clearance is close but it fits. The revision of throttle bell crank assembly that it has is outside the area of that notch for the throttle pedal control on it but the different revisions may have had influence on that notch location. This likely only applies to the 1928 and 29 cars since the firewall was changed for the later models.