Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

All,

Attached pics represent my forward progress for the last several years related to my 1955 400's firewall. Yes, that very ugly hole was cut/drilled into the firewall long before I even knew what a PACKARD was! But I stress over today and I'm l@@king for some advice from all of you! Please 'chime - in" and give me your thoughts.

My response to it is to cut a duplicate piece (sorry Craig) from my '55 parts Patrician and use the newly cut out piece as sort of a "plug" to exactly cover/fit over the hole?

The hole was used to route the a/c presurre lines etc for the add-on a/c unit that was in the car when I began this resto so many years ago.

I'd of course like to 'disguise' the hole in a manner so as NOT to distract from the engine compartment I've worked so hard on.

All thoughts apprecated.

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If you're going to have AC again, is the hole in a place you could use a bulkhead fitting with 90 degree connections to take advantage yet dress it up? It looks tight but obviously must have been workable before.

Not sure what you mean by a 'bulk-head' fitting?

Vintage air selection. Classic has similar.

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File it nice and round. Put a plastic floorpan plug in it or a big round rubber grommit of some sort. Incidiently, that is the same place my AC hose passes thru the firewall too. Mark IV ac unit.

And get that wire loom rerouted away from the throttle valve linkage so it does not interfere with linkage movement.

Thanks Keith. I've been meaning to get that wire loom away from that assembly but just keep forgetting.

kg

Ooo that's a good one. I would at least file it square so it looked more like it belonged there. You could cut a new steel slug and weld it in but you'd have to repaint a good sized area due to the grinding/ clean up around the hole. To do any of this though, you'll have to pull your linkage to get the proper angles. Personally, I'd leave it and call it a lightning hole.