Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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One of the things I didn't like that Total Performance does is they mount the gas pedal on a wooden block that is glassed to the thin firewall fiberglass. I decided to install a full piece of plywood in there instead for a couple of reasons. First of all, the firewall would have the tendency to flex when you push down hard on the gas pedal, and I didn't like the way they just put self tapping screws into the wood block. I wanted to use bolts and nuts so the pedal couldn't pop loose at the wrong time.

Another thing that a flat piece of plywood will do is give the firewall carpeting a flat surface to be glued to, instead of humping up over a wood block. It would just look better, I think.

So I cut a piece of 1/2 inch plywood and drilled a couple of holes for the bolts that hold the gas pedal on. Then I used some stainless steel T nuts that have spikes on them and installed them from the backside. They are for 1/4 inch bolts, and will be much stronger than the screws it was originally designed for. I then put a thick coat of fiberglass reinforced filler all over the backside of the plywood and weighted it down until the filler cured. Finally, I glassed all around the perimeter of the plywood to tie it into the side pieces. Now there should be no flex and I can use bolts to hold the pedal to the firewall.

Another weak spot was the dashboard. It was just thin fiberglass, and I could envision it shaking under way when you get a speedometer, tach, and four other gauges in there. To stiffen it I cut a piece of 1/4 inch plywood and did the same body filler routine to bond it to the backside of the dash. I clamped it tight to really squeeze the two parts together, and am letting it set up overnight. Tomorrow Dan is going to holesaw the gauge holes in there, and I think I will also make up some simple aluminum braces to further keep the dash was shaking.

Here are some pictures of what I got done today. Just a little touch up and the body will be ready for me to drop off for paint on Monday. Sunday I plan to do some filling and priming on my own T body, and maybe next weekend I can spray it in color.

Don