Weak firewall near clutch

Datsun182 · Post by **Datsun182** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:09 pm

hey guys my firewall on the 65 needs help! It has some small cracks around the clutch master cyclinder and flexes when I put my foot down on the clutch. Has anybody else ran into this problem and what did you do to fix it?

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Mon May 08, 2006 8:44 am

I have seen a support bracket on ebay every now and then that is for the area around the brake master that crackes. I wonder if that would work for you?

Maggie

Post by **itsa68** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:54 pm

I had a mobile tig welding company weld the cracks and place an upside down 1-1/2" wide U-bracket to the shelf and firewall below my brake master.
The paint had to be locally touched afterwards.

Works great , but I don't think there is enough room for one in front of the clutch master.

Could you have the cracks welded and then ground flush so a doubler could be welded to the firewall?
Or, on the interior side of the firewall, can the existing bracket be removed and an oversized doubler (U-shaped for strength) be welded (flat side) to the firewall?

Ray B.

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Datsun182 · Post by **Datsun182** » Wed May 10, 2006 5:57 pm

thanks for the replies. I probably won't weld it, I can weld but It would be hard to grind it down. I think maybe I will try that brace bar from the two master cyclinders, Or I might cut out some brackets and drill a hole through the firewall and have some new sheetmetal on both sides (kinda like a firewall sandwhich) then use the holes that are drilled for bolts.

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Post by **dbrick** » Wed May 10, 2006 8:11 pm

I used the brace on an uncracked firewall and could see the difference, M/C doesnt move now.
Here's a great oppurtunity for someone to make a formed patch panel for the front to go with the brace in the back.

Anybody?????Anybody????Vendors?????Buehler?????

Post by **spl310** » Wed May 10, 2006 8:53 pm

Someone on the list made their own brace for their early car. As I recall, it was made from some kind of building brace he got at Home Depot or some such place. It was tough to tell it was braced in the photos he posted.

Spicoli is right. The brace makes a HUGE difference. I may have to figure one out for the 1500 just as an enhancement.

Victor_laury · Post by **Victor_laury** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:47 am

Gary Cohen made a brace for his 66 out of angle iron. Sorry, I have no detials or resources other than next time I see it, i'll take a photo.

Post by **Linda** » Thu May 11, 2006 12:30 pm

Is this the same brace that Stan used to , or maybe still does, make? Also is there any improvement in clutch or brake operation or just feel?
I think I saw a pic of this once.

Linda
68 1600

Post by **spl310** » Thu May 11, 2006 1:07 pm

Stan's brace is for the high windshield cars with the notched firewall. It is a very good design and does wonders for the brake feel. The flat dash cars should not be too hard to figure something out on though.

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Thu May 11, 2006 1:25 pm

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