Some 'flat plate' covers look out of place vs the factory 'heat only' pieces. I like things when they look like they were made to be there.

Of course, completely reworking the firewall can create something better. But when you're picking & choosing your fab-list battles, the covers always win out for me to keep things moving along.

That's how we did mine in my Firebird actually... just made plates to block off the cowl but be sure you caulk them really good or you'll get water inside!

Hello Everyone! I’m finally getting a little bit of progress made. I was deployed for a couple weeks to Sanibel Island after Hurricane Ian but I am back now! I actually had a couple of solid days to work on BISKWIK. Exciting! I know!! :lmao:

Anywho… I managed to get the LOKAR shifter mounted and access hole drilled for the shift cable. Unfortunately since the cable runs out the back of the shifter in this model, I have to raise the bench seat about an inch to clear the bracket and cable. Not a big deal, but still something else that is getting added to the ever expanding To-do list. I’ll get pics of that fiasco soon.

I started working on getting the Dakota Digital gauges installed. The dash had been worked over before to fit the smaller AutoMeter gauges, so I had to take my trusty half round file to the openings to enlarge them for the round Dakota gauges. That was super fun. It took a little bit, but I got it done.

I started to try and make heads or tails of the wiring debacle while planning on placement of the Dakota Dash module and the Holley Terminator X Max ECU. While doing some research on Google University to figure how to wire up the Dakota gauges, I learned I need to get a bridge module from Dakota for the gauges to get signal from the Holley ECU. 🤦🏻
That will be on order ASAP.

While I was under the dash looking at the wiring with all the daylight coming in from the gaping hole in the firewall, I decided to tackle that project. My kindergarten skills paid off once again as I was able to use a Sharpie, measuring tape, and some scissors to make a high tech template out of a cardboard insert which was in a box for something my wife bought…. Not car parts of course.

I made up my template and transferred it to some sheet metal I sourced from eBay. I used a paint can to draw radius the corners. I was able to get it cut out pretty straight with my angle grinder. I don’t have a good work area or a lot of proper equipment yet, so a piece of 4X4 post and a size 11 held the metal in place while I cut it. It did the job. :thumbsup:

I plan on cutting the heads of some 5/16 bolts and tacking them onto the plate. That way I can install it and provide mounting points for the Vintage Air setup. It will definitely look better than the chincy plastic piece that was provided with the kit.

I had looked at the Heat only cover and really like it. However, I have to pick and choose how to allocate funds and since that was more “want” than “need” I decided to make a panel. I’ll decide if I will color match it or paint it black like the heat only cover. We shall see. Still deciding on how/where I will run the A/C and heater hoses. I will have a better idea once I have the VA unit in place with a solid mounting setup to see how much room I’ll have.

Looking good so far…I should’ve paid more attention in Kindergarten!

Looking good Matt! Keep after it.

It was the best three years of my education!

Thank you, Scott! I’m glad I got a little time to work on it. I was hoping to be able to hear the motor by the end of the month, but I may have to push it to by end of the year.

Hello everyone! I would like an opinion. I am thinking of mounting my electronics under the dash as pictured. I was planning on having the Holley ECU project out the opening as pictured for all the hook ups. When I make my center console, I was thinking of having a small window so that the LED’s could be seen to make sure all is working correctly. Above the Holley ECU, I would have the Dakota Gauge module along with the Dalit Bridge Module. The wiring and cable can be run up and over the mounting plate and then behind it.

What do you think? Just not a lot of room with the VA unit in the passenger side.