pinch weld on firewall

[gerardo0367]

Has anyone removed the pinchwelds from the firewall if so do you have any pics or pointers please

[HAULIN IT]

Gerardo, The firewall pinchweld could be removed in the same manor as others. The best way I've found is to use, say an electric grinder with a wide grinding disk & notch slots (between the spotwelds) every 6" or so. Starting at the outer edge, go in until the layers are flush with where you want to end up. Now make a tack in each notch, go back a cut off the pinchweld & grind flush, tack in between each 6" area, then weld the seam up. Closing up the seam can be time consuming, especially if there is different thicknesses of metal or rust between them. Go slow & move around, with the lip gone the panels will have a little more of a tendency to warp. Have Fun, Lorne

[Captkaos]

There is a lot of structural support/bracing at that point if you are talking about where the floor pan meets the firewall.

[Blazin]

Why would you want to remove it?

[gerardo0367]

They are the ones right above the blower motor and above the harnesses connector i want to remove them for a clean firewall look i want it as smooth as possible

[Captkaos]

Oh, higher up where the cowl meets the firewall.

[gerardo0367]

Yes that's right i would like to see some pics if possile if anybody has any

[SUX2BU99]

Sorry to butt in, but how smooth is that supposed to be from the factory? Mine is quite bumpy and I don't want to think it was because of painted over rust or something. When I push on it, it doesn't feel soft.

[Captkaos]

here is a pic I have saved of one...

[SUX2BU99]

That doesn't exactly look like that came from the factory that way  lol  I'll upload a pic I have showing what mine looks like. You can clearly see the seam along the firewall where the upper meets the lower and it's bumpy in texture.

[Captkaos]

That is a pic of a smoothed one with the pinch welds shaved along with the rest of the firewall.

Factory, you can see the seam along with the "Gunk" sprayed on the firewall to seal it.
This is what one looks like if you clean everything off:

[gerardo0367]

The red truck looks like what i want to do to mine what was done to get it that smooth i want to keep the heater box and the wiper motor ?

[HAULIN IT]

Gerardo, What you do is ... Cut & weld the pinchwelds, weld up all of the seams &  holes for the wiring, screws, plugs, ect. Cover pretty much all of the firewall with bodyfiller & sand smooth. Prime & paint. Re-route wiring, ground connections, ect. to hide them from view. Have Fun grinding & sanding! Lorne 

[Bitzer!]

The red one sure looks kewl    Unfortunately I have neither the time or inclination!!