Does anybody know what the significance is to the "382" number that is stamped on my firewall about 8" to the right (as you are looking at the firewall) of the heater opening?
I would bet it is a date code.
From what I've seen, there are at least two different 57 firewalls. one has about a three inch diameter bulge/dome on the passengers side near the trans tunnel, and the other doesn't. Not sure if it's a 6/8 thing (Starter clearance?), or for some other reason.
The Sedan Delivery I'm working on had the bulge and a 6, the Ranchero firewall I'm using in the car didn't have the bulge, but I don't know for sure what motor it came with. (Parts car.)
It's possible that the number is somehow related to that.