56 firewall washer cable location

[Jim K.]

Happy New Year to all ! I am currently restoring the firewall on my 56. I noticed a picture on pg. 124 of Noland Adams Vol. 1 book, the top pic in the RH corner shows the LH side of an early 56 2x4 motor. In the bot. RH corner of the pic. are two cables. The second cable from the bot. I know is the speedo cable . Can anyone tell me what the lower cable is that seems to be coming out of a grommet just behind the female hood latch ? I have the same grommet on my car but the hole in the middle seems to have been plugged up many years ago. On pg. K202 of the 56/57 AIM it shows the washer footpump cable going through this grommet and on to the wiper motor. I take this pic. to be the 57 washer setup with the plastic/red top jar. Also in the 56/57 AIM on pg. K224 it shows the 56 setup with the washer bag, but in this case the washer footpump cable goes through the 4 hole grommet in the firewall. Where should I run my washer footpump cable , the 4 hole or the single hole grommet ? Noland's pic says that it is the left side of a first type 56 engine but it shows the cable coming out of the single grommet behind the hood latch. Also what type of a compound (sealer) should I use around the new grommets I am putting in the firewall ? The AIM shows a compound with part # 3686628 was applied at the factory. Any help is much appreciated .

[Ted S.]

Re: 56 firewall washer cable location

Hi Jim Does the name Dr Love ring a bell? 72 Warbonnet yellow coupe with ZL 1 flares, prizem tape on the valve covers, 8 track player, Wrap your ass in fiberglass decal! If it does, I say it really is a small world! If not then Hi Jim and Happy New Year! Ted

[Jim K.]

Re: 56 firewall washer cable location

Hi Ted; Dr. Love and a 72 Warbonnet yellow coupe do not ring any bells with me. It does sound like an interesting story. Happy New Year to you and all the best in 2010. Jim

[Garry B.]

Re: 56 firewall washer cable location

Jim, if my memory serves me correctly from restoring #3241 '56 (BG,Top Flight, Triple Crown) with washer system, the cable that activates the wiper actuator runs from the wiper switch up and through the single grommet just to the rear of the female hood latch and over to the wiper motor. The cable that activates the foot pump runs from the pump up through the multi-port grommet that sits just behind the ballast resistor and over to the wiper motor.
As for you second question, you can buy GM rope caulk from most of the corvette vendors and apply fairly small amounts around each grommet.
Good luck,
Garry 18531

[Jim K.]

Re: 56 firewall washer cable location

Hi Gary; Thanks for the info on the washer cable locations and the grommet compound. It make sense to me that one of the two washer cables runs through the single grommet behind the female hood latch (GM put the grommet hole there for a reason) and you say your 56 has been judged OK with the wiper switch cable in this single grommet. What is confusing though is the 56/57 AIM shows both the wiper switch and washer pump cable passing through the 4-hole grommet by the ballast resistor (pg. k224) Can you tell me what cables/wires your 56 has going through the 4-hole grommet ? Going by the AIM I was going to put the 2 washer cables, oil pressure gauge tubing, and the tan wire for the power top through this grommet. Thanks again for your help, best regards, Jim

[Garry B.]

Re: 56 firewall washer cable location

Jim, I have the two wiper cables routed as I mentioned in previous post and have the oil pressure line and the tan wire for the power top going through the multi-grommet.
Garry Barnes #18531

[Jim K.]

Re: 56 firewall washer cable location

Thanks for the help Gary, sharing your knowledge is much appreciated . Jim