66' Volvo 122 Wagon: Firewall seals?

[Volvoteer]

Hello all. Fumes were coming through the engine compartment via several holes for the wires and steering shaft. I have plugged them up with aluminum foil but want to buy actual seals. Know were I can get something locally or cheaply online? I am located in Tacoma, Washington. Thanks, Volvoteer

[Phil Singher]

Fairly lame answer, as I haven't managed to research a source for the genuine articles...

Any Ace or True Value hardware store (and probably others) will have a large selection of grommets in the nuts and bolts aisle. You should certainly be able to find ones that would work well for most locations. The exception is the large grommet where the choke cables go through the firewall, which is a non-generic design.

I'd use some closed-cell foam rubber (doesn't soak up water) for the steering shaft hole. There's a bent wire retaining clip that attaches by a single sheet metal screw above the column -- if you're missing that, it's easy enough to make one up.

[gdill2]

Fumes? Is the exhaust system leaking? Check EVERYTHING from the engine to the tail pipe for exhaust leaks as this engine WILL produce enough CO to kill.

Another culprit is the shift boot. Even a new boot will let in "fumes" if improperly installed (the boot lip fits BETWEEN the two metal flanges).

Original anything for the Volvo 122 is no longer "cheap". All the parts you seek are available online but try Phil's ideas as this will cost you about $6 total.

George Dill

[mjamgb]

You can also use mobile home/RV sealant/caulk. It comes in rolls. It is like a putty that easily fills large or odd-shaped holes and remains pliable (but stuck where you put it) for a long time. Good stuff. In most hardware stores.

Mike!

[Volvoteer]

I did take a look at the boot and the bottom was simply resting against the floor. I do not see these "two metal flanges" you are refering to. There is the plastic cover for the heating system, which covers the metal body. I tried fitting it in this spot but there was too much slack/kink in the boot to get it fitted. There isn't enough length in the rubber to push it underneath the body either. I put the bottom of the boot under the flooring, which has cut down on fumes substantially. Any more recomendations/clarifications for the boot? Thanks, Volvoteer