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What Are My Options For A Front Bulkhead Blanking Plate?


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#1 mx5nut

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Posted 25 November 2021 - 01:53 AM

My car had some nasty aluminum tape with a sticky black backing (possibly sound deadening) over the big hole in the bulkhead.  I got so frustrated with it being all over the place and over the hole for the choke cable, that I ended up peeling it all off last night and now need to find another better solution to use as a blanking plate.  My car is a 69 Cooper that has the center three gauge binnacle.

 

Per the topic title, I am trying to understand all of my options and ultimately pick something that cleans up the look in the engine bay, does a reasonable job of keeping sound and vapors out, and also looks interesting. 

 

Since I have the center binnacle, my understanding is that the original style blanking plates with the dished area will not work with my car, is that correct?  If so, that would be kind of a shame, since I had been looking at the plate offered by Carbonweezel and like the CF look.  It also looks like this style is installed from inside the car, which would be more complicated.  I would be super nice if they made a flat piece  to install from the engine bay side, but doesn't look like they do.

 

I am also looking at the style that is offered by Classic Minis Japan.  This is attractive to me because it seems to be easy to install and definitely cleans up the look but is kind of a blah-looking black plastic.  Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of sound and vapor levels after installing?

 

If I understand the original spec correctly, the cars with the center binnacles actually had this area essentially left open in the engine bay and essentially relied on the center binnacle itself to keep anything out of the engine bay.  Is this correct?  Is there any logical reason whatsoever to consider an option like this where I try to make sure the center binnacle is sealed to the bulkhead and then look at something like some of the sound insulation foam from the engine bay side that is offered by most of the big parts vendors?

 

Are there any other thoughts or options that I am missing?  Any interesting products offered by some other companies that I should be thinking about?

 

 



#2 Tds76

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Posted 25 November 2021 - 05:32 AM

There is this 3D printed option on eBay. 

 

Classic Mini Bulkhead / Firewall Cover Plate - Austin morris cooper leyland

 

The only thing stopping me getting one is air filter box clearance from my single HS4

 

Cheers, Paul. 


Edited by Tds76, 25 November 2021 - 05:35 AM.


#3 timmy850

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Posted 25 November 2021 - 08:09 AM

The more expensive models in the 60’s used a bulkhead insulation blanket. It had a textured vinyl outer layer with an insulation layer on the inside. I put a modern version of this in my car and it made a huge difference
http://www.minispare...rim/24A280.aspx

I’ve also bought one of the 3D printed ones above, but I need to custom cut it for my speedo cable and haven’t installed it yet

#4 mab01uk

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Posted 25 November 2021 - 08:32 AM

The Classic Minis Japan - Bulkhead Blanking Plate

"Aimed specifically at those with a pre-nineties carburetor model, this bulkhead blanking plate conveniently splits in two for easy installation. The kit includes detailed fitting instructions in English, along with a strip of ETP sealer foam for a tight seal, good weatherability and heat stability. Requires 4 small incisions to fit.

Developed and made in Japan."

https://classicminis...blanking-plate/


Edited by mab01uk, 25 November 2021 - 08:35 AM.


#5 slidehammer

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Posted 25 November 2021 - 01:27 PM

my own Mini which is a '69 MK2 has nothing behind the centre binnacle so you change the warning light bulbs from under the bonnet. The only thing it does have is a layer of sound deadening running across the bulk head.



#6 Red Riley

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Posted 25 November 2021 - 02:59 PM

There's this one. https://shop.catmint...-plate-cat1056/


Edited by Red Riley, 12 July 2023 - 12:02 PM.


#7 Vanman20

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Posted 25 November 2021 - 04:13 PM

I made a steel panel and spaced out the binnacle, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference from a standard one.
Scroll down on my page for further info
https://www.theminif...n/#entry3668476

#8 mx5nut

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Posted 26 November 2021 - 12:59 AM

There's this one. https://www.catmint....n,06 May, 2019.


I like this one. It is simple and probably doesn’t look much different than the plastic one, but I feel like it would be more sturdy in the long run. Only question I have is how to handle the harness coming through.

Edited by mx5nut, 26 November 2021 - 01:04 AM.


#9 mx5nut

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Posted 26 November 2021 - 01:06 AM

my own Mini which is a '69 MK2 has nothing behind the centre binnacle so you change the warning light bulbs from under the bonnet. The only thing it does have is a layer of sound deadening running across the bulk head.


Interesting. Do you have anything like a foam tape to seal between the binnacle and the bulkhead?

#10 slidehammer

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Posted 30 November 2021 - 02:21 PM

 

my own Mini which is a '69 MK2 has nothing behind the centre binnacle so you change the warning light bulbs from under the bonnet. The only thing it does have is a layer of sound deadening running across the bulk head.


Interesting. Do you have anything like a foam tape to seal between the binnacle and the bulkhead?

 

Hi, The car is 52 years old, and had a few owners (so I am not sure what I have is original). I think there was a putty type seal around the brinicle but it was the sound deadening that did most of the work of keeping fumes out of the cabin.



#11 MiniTim71

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Posted 12 July 2023 - 08:58 AM

Hi, I would just like to point out that this item is not for the Center Bulkhead hole.  It is a gasket for the dashboard Eyeball Air Vents.  That is why they come as a pair, one left and one right :)



#12 humph

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Posted 12 July 2023 - 11:25 AM

I don't have the bulkhead blanking plate, but I do have some other bits from here. Always been great to deal with and products are nice.

 

https://www.thirdshe...p=false&q=false






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