front clip mounting

fordlover84 · 2012-03-13 17:14

is there rubber between the inner fenders and firewall or is it just a bolt with a big washer?

Lou · 2012-03-13 20:31

Just a bolt and washer from the factory. If you are worried about squeaks then make a little gasket out of tar paper.

gasman826 · 2012-03-14 07:22

The few that I have taken apart have a rubber washer between the inner fender and the firewall. It was about 1/4" plus thick and 2" OD. I don't think I have seen them in any catalog. I have temporarily driven my car without them and could not hear a squeak. Then with open fenderwell heads, there is a whole lot that I don't hear. After new paint, I will be putting them back in.

Lou · 2012-03-15 20:21

This appears to be another one of those "Depends on where the car was built" Ive never seen a rubber washer or gasket on any of the cars I've disassembled, the cars being built at Somerville, Marwah and Chester.

57chero · 2012-03-15 21:12

Every 57 that I have parted out here in the pacific northwest had a big rubber washer between the firewall and inner fender.

gasman826 · 2012-03-16 11:30

The last car that I cut up had a Kansas title with a ton of red clay stuffed up in it. I still have the rubber cushions and the inner fenders with the outline of the cushion still on them. One thing that is ALWAYS true about a Ford, there are NO absolutes. Them Chevy guys are always saying GM only made this, GM never made that, or all GMs have this. Say that about a Ford and someone will prove you wrong. Henry used whatever was left over, available or would fit. He never threw anything away. Did anyone ever see a 1970 Falcon on the front with Fairlane on the rear. Seen a red one brand new in the showroom!

fordlover84 · 2012-03-16 19:55

Whee do I gt the rubber part at?

Ford Blue blood · 2012-03-18 15:59

The Dallas built 57 I parted had square rubber insulators identical to the ones on the fender stud going into the cowl....the San Diego built 57 has nothing between the inner and the cowl.

Fordlover84 I would just make them out of any kind of small sheet rubber that can be bought at any plumbing supply place.

mtwilsonboy · 2012-03-19 06:30

Quote from: gasman826 on 2012-03-14 07:22
The few that I have taken apart have a rubber washer between the inner fender and the firewall. It was about 1/4" plus thick and 2" OD. I don't think I have seen them in any catalog. I have temporarily driven my car without them and could not hear a squeak. Then with open fenderwell heads, there is a whole lot that I don't hear. After new paint, I will be putting them back in.

Not to hijack your thread but Im going to be putting my front clip on too and I got the car with the front off the car. Is there any where I could find a good diagram of how its bolted back together?

RICH MUISE · 2012-03-19 07:56

I've got 3 or 4 different '57 manuals and all are lacking with firewall-forward info, including pics or part numbers. A while back Canadian Ranchero (where ya been Gary?) told me the front end info is in the chassis manual..which I haven't been able to find. If they are reproducing it, as they do the others, I don't know who's selling it. Admittedly, I haven't looked too awfully hard. If you find a source let us know.

gasman826 · 2012-03-19 09:01

In the Ford Parts Illustration manual, I found it with the number of *359201-5. I could not find it in the Ford Parts manual.

57tudor · 2012-03-22 23:10

Hi Fordlover84.
I meant to respond to this when I first read this but have been ears and rears with Bob's car and a bucket load of other stuff. Now that Bob's car is in upholstery, I'm playing catch up. When I assemble my front ends, I like to install the fenders with the inner fender wells first as an assembly and align them straight to the doors. Make sure you align your doors first, I do. Then I will install the core support and shim it to hold the front of the fenders firmly, don't let the core support pull the front of the fenders down. Bob car and my car took two shims each. These shims are about 1/8" thick. You can measure from the floor to the top of fender and when you tighten the center bolt on the core support down check your measurement. If your number is decreasing, then add shims as needed. Snug up all the bolts installed around the core support and recheck. The part number for the core/radiator support rubbers is B7A-8125-A, 57 & 58 year models, there are 2 pieces. See the attached pic for the proper assembly and placement of the rubbers and shims. Also as a reminder, be sure to install the 2 anti-squeak rubber pads to the center bolt on each fender where it attaches to the cowling, this also acts as a water seal as well. Part number B5A-16172-A, 55 to 58 year models. Concours Parts and Accessories, Dennis Carpenter, and several others noted in the parts links of this site will have what you need. Hope this helps you out.
Rick.
57 Tudor.

RICH MUISE · 2012-03-23 07:38

One thing I'd like to add to Rick's great info. I haven't assembled mine yet..still sidetracked...but I've read somewhere you need to keep all 3 shims in use. What you don't use on the top for alignment is moved to the bottom. I think the idea being that main bolt is basically a shoulder screw, and if you don't keep all of the components engaged, you'll end up squishing the core support bracket when you bottom out the nut on the bolt shoulder.
Rich
P.S. I wonder why they mount the 51c (retractable) differently? I thought all the '57's were basically the same from the firewall forward except for trim of course.

gasman826 · 2012-09-23 13:36

Not that this subject hasn't been beat to death but I am starting assembly. Kind of like Christmas, I'm getting out boxes of parts that have been accumulating for years. The Steele Rubber Products box had a package of pads for the inner fender to cowl. The part number is 20-1865-45.

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front clip mounting