Date: Sun, 04 Jan 1998 18:40:49 -0800
From: Phillip Simpson <biochem_at_netcore.com.au> Subject: Finding Disco Firewall cracks

The best way to find the cracks is to look underneath on the right hand side of the vehicle (facing forwards).
400 mm back from the front shock absorber there is a body/chassis mount on the outer edge of the chassis. This has a bottom plate 75mm going in towards the engine. From the inner edge of this runs upwards a 100mm plate that then connects onto another plate connected and running down the firewall. The cracks normally start as a fine line about 10-15mm long, running from across the top of thie firewall connecting plate.They are about 5-10mm above the top of the plate. In the beginning they are almost closed, but in extreme cases open right up as the firewall appears to collapse forward.

Sometimes it is easier to feel them with a fingernail. Todate I've seen most cracks on the drivers side (we drive on the left hand side) though usually they appear on both sides. The other side has a similar connection.

>From the top side this area is directly below the clutch fluid reservoir.

Hope this helps to identify the area. I would be interested to hear what you find.

Regards

Phillip