I showed Tim Conway my initial layout of the locations of items behind the instrument panel. I agreed with all of his suggestions and cut out a .063'' piece 10 1/2''x 20'' for the shelf. I cleaned it up and primed it.
I drilled my new gascolator bracket to the firewall and Van's gascolator bracket with a #30 bit. I riveted Van's gascolator bracket to the firewall. I used one AN426-4-6 rivet at the outboard end of the bracket, because I could not dimple the firewall and I did not want to countersink the firewall. Hopefully, this will not cause any problem.
Initial instrument shelf
Gascolator bracket riveted to the firewall
Interior-Gascolator bracket riveted to the firewall