The Ford Barn

T Scott · 05-24-2018, 12:51 PM

I have a 34 Argentinian RHD coupe. The original hacked up firewall has been replaced with one from a USA car. On a typical USA car the wiring harness is routed through an oblong hole through the firewall just right of center. (when facing firewall). Just left of center, again when facing firewall, there is a circular knockout in much the same respective location as the oblong hole. Am I to assume the knockout is to accommodate the wiring harness for a right hand drive car? What say you RHD guys. I'm trying to remain period correct.

DavidG · 05-24-2018, 01:20 PM

Nope, it is for all four-cylinder versions, RHD and LHD. Through it pass the choke cable, vacuum line for the windshield wiper motor, and the air line for the fuel gauge from the sending unit on the gas tank. If your car was originally a V8, that knockout plug remained in place.

T Scott · 05-24-2018, 06:31 PM

Thank you David

koates · 05-25-2018, 05:41 AM

The knockout hole was for the Columbia rear axle overdrive dash control valve vacuum fitting if fitted. Regards, Kevin.

DavidG · 05-25-2018, 06:08 AM

Sorry, while it could be used for that purpose, a Columbia rear axle was not a Ford-released option or accessory for either the '33 or '34 model years. Note that T Scott is seeking a 'period-correct' response.

koates · 05-25-2018, 06:40 AM

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David, I did say if fitted which in most cases a columbia was not fitted. That hole also was used on a 4 cylinder car for the distributer to coil high and low tension wiring condute. I doubt many 4 cylinder cars were ever fitted with a Columbia overdrive. Regards, Kevin.

Graeme / New Zealand · 05-25-2018, 02:11 PM

I would imagine the wiring goes through the same hole on RHD as on US
LHD models. My 48 still goes through the oval hole on the left US drivers side, the difference being in the wiring loom which has extra length to take it over to the right side of the dash. I imagine it would be the same for a 34. Cut out for steering column and locating holes for handbrake and the go pedal of course is different though. I used all the US wiring looms for my car except the main loom which I had made up by Vintage Wiring Harness in Australia. I imagine Tyrie Harris in your country who Barners rave about could probably make one up for you to accomadate the extra length. I know this is not what your original question is about but if new wiring is to lead on this it might help

GB

T Scott · 05-25-2018, 07:47 PM

Not part of the original question but certainly a help. As I mentioned above this firewall came out of a LHD car so some things had to be changed such as the gas pedal mechanism for instance. Fortunately the indents for the RHD mount are pre stamped so the location is already fixed. Lawrie sent me some pictures of his 33 with the gas linkage both outside the firewall and under the dash. That was a great help. I lost the pictures when my laptop crashed but at the time I didn't think to look at his wire routing or the knockout. Thanks for the input.

mercman from oz · 05-25-2018, 08:42 PM

Here is a picture of an Australian Right Hand Drive 1934 Ford Phaeton. The extra 4 Holes in the slanty part of the cowl are for an Accessory Tool Box.

T Scott · 05-25-2018, 09:59 PM

Perfect! Thanks Mercman.

05-24-2018, 12:51 PM	#1
T Scott Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Boothbay, Maine Posts: 277	34 RHD firewall I have a 34 Argentinian RHD coupe. The original hacked up firewall has been replaced with one from a USA car. On a typical USA car the wiring harness is routed through an oblong hole through the firewall just right of center. (when facing firewall). Just left of center, again when facing firewall, there is a circular knockout in much the same respective location as the oblong hole. Am I to assume the knockout is to accommodate the wiring harness for a right hand drive car? What say you RHD guys. I'm trying to remain period correct.

05-24-2018, 01:20 PM	#2
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,094	Re: 34 RHD firewall Nope, it is for all four-cylinder versions, RHD and LHD. Through it pass the choke cable, vacuum line for the windshield wiper motor, and the air line for the fuel gauge from the sending unit on the gas tank. If your car was originally a V8, that knockout plug remained in place.

05-24-2018, 06:31 PM	#3
T Scott Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Boothbay, Maine Posts: 277	Re: 34 RHD firewall Thank you David

05-25-2018, 05:41 AM	#4
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: 34 RHD firewall The knockout hole was for the Columbia rear axle overdrive dash control valve vacuum fitting if fitted. Regards, Kevin.

05-25-2018, 06:08 AM	#5
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,094	Re: 34 RHD firewall Sorry, while it could be used for that purpose, a Columbia rear axle was not a Ford-released option or accessory for either the '33 or '34 model years. Note that T Scott is seeking a 'period-correct' response.

05-25-2018, 06:40 AM	#6
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: 34 RHD firewall Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) David, I did say if fitted which in most cases a columbia was not fitted. That hole also was used on a 4 cylinder car for the distributer to coil high and low tension wiring condute. I doubt many 4 cylinder cars were ever fitted with a Columbia overdrive. Regards, Kevin.

05-25-2018, 02:11 PM	#7
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,126	Re: 34 RHD firewall I would imagine the wiring goes through the same hole on RHD as on US LHD models. My 48 still goes through the oval hole on the left US drivers side, the difference being in the wiring loom which has extra length to take it over to the right side of the dash. I imagine it would be the same for a 34. Cut out for steering column and locating holes for handbrake and the go pedal of course is different though. I used all the US wiring looms for my car except the main loom which I had made up by Vintage Wiring Harness in Australia. I imagine Tyrie Harris in your country who Barners rave about could probably make one up for you to accomadate the extra length. I know this is not what your original question is about but if new wiring is to lead on this it might help GB __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

05-25-2018, 07:47 PM	#8
T Scott Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Boothbay, Maine Posts: 277	Re: 34 RHD firewall Not part of the original question but certainly a help. As I mentioned above this firewall came out of a LHD car so some things had to be changed such as the gas pedal mechanism for instance. Fortunately the indents for the RHD mount are pre stamped so the location is already fixed. Lawrie sent me some pictures of his 33 with the gas linkage both outside the firewall and under the dash. That was a great help. I lost the pictures when my laptop crashed but at the time I didn't think to look at his wire routing or the knockout. Thanks for the input.

05-25-2018, 08:42 PM	#9
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,361	Re: 34 RHD firewall Here is a picture of an Australian Right Hand Drive 1934 Ford Phaeton. The extra 4 Holes in the slanty part of the cowl are for an Accessory Tool Box.

05-25-2018, 09:59 PM	#10
T Scott Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Boothbay, Maine Posts: 277	Re: 34 RHD firewall Perfect! Thanks Mercman.