vettsplit 63

I am trying to install the cardboard insulation up next to the firewall- All the holes line up good, but the rubber plugs that hold it to the firewall seem to be very hard to go thru the holes, can't stretch them far enough to get the point thru enough to 'catch' on the firewall lip. Does someone make longer, smaller ones. Tried heating them with a hair dryer, but all I have accomplished is to poke a hole thru 2 of them. What is the secret?

64 roach

Had the same pleasurable experience and ended up having two different brands of plugs I first installed softer ones (with the new holes) then one at a time went to the shorter/stiffer ones. Two person job, I used needle nose and slip joint pliers working them around in a circle until one edge of the lip popped through, the harder plugs are much more durable and were not damaged even after being severely abused. Good luck

66jack

Use a 1/4"x10" long extension or the longest one you have...

Lube up the plug with some lithium grease or 'WD40, on a rag...

Use it from the inside and push them through, do it gradually with constant pressure...

nassau66427

Buy one of these or make your own version*:
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&
Lubing the plugs with dish soap helps too.

*The length of the rod is the secret. Make it too long and you'll poke a hole in the end of the plug.
Too short and you won't stretch the plug enough.

APV

Use all of the advice given and also wrap mig wire around the plug pointed head and feed through the firewall. I used lots of vasaline and pushed and pulled. was able to get them on by myself. also used heat gun. Good luck. also use small needle nose to help line up point.
Al

oldgold49er

alcohol makes rubber slick as butter and evaporates.

vettsplit 63

I would use alcohol, but i DRANK IT ALL working on this POS>

66jack

That's what I told HER>>>>

vettsplit 63

Guys- Thanks for all the tips. I used all of them, hardest part was finding something small enough to fit in the hole so that the rod didn't keep the shoulders of the plug from collapsing in on itself as it was pushed thru the hole. Also, I made sure it was rounded on the end, not sharp or square corners. With lubrication, the tool that you suggested, Nassua, used vaseline and the mig wire trick with a flat screwdriver and needle nose on the back, steady pressure, and that sucker didn't have a chance. It actually wasn't bad once I had the right tools. I don't think I'll quit my day job though. Thanks to all.


Now I gotta put the vent flappers in before bolting in the inside heater box.

APV

Credit for the wire trick goes to Billygold post.
Al