When I took out the cowl gas tank yesterday, there was a paper piece, about 1/8" thick that rested between the inside of the firewall and the gas tank. Are there replacements available through the dealers? If so, what are they called as I have not been able to find one. If not, what kind of material is it and can I get it a a local hardware or craft store? Thanks.

Maybe it's this part you're looking for?
https://www.modeltford.com/item/2918.aspx

Roger:

that is the part I am looking for. Thanks!

Jim I am GLAD you posted this one!!!!
Again something I never knew!
I have owned and worked on several 26-7's and never seen this deal. Let alone where to get one! So thanks Roger too. I still have a 26 and a 27 roadsters which are essentially just rusty pieces. NONE of them had this piece. So that is why many of those gas tanks rusted out towards the firewall!!!
Also glad for this Forum to post this information.
Joe in Mo.

When I pulled the tank out of my 27 Roadster there were just some small remnants of the cardboard panel remaining.



The paint seems to have rubbed off the front side of the tank and it is rusty there. I just wonder if the original cardboard rubbed the paint off, then got wet and ended up rusting the tank.

Either way, I have my new cardboard panel to install when the tank goes back in.

The cardboard wasn't used on all 26/27's with cowl tanks - at first Ford used two pieces of webbing that was riveted to the firewall with two split rivets each: https://www.modeltford.com/item/2918A.aspx

If your car has the holes for the split rivets then the webbing was used, otherwise there used to be cardboard.
See this thread for more info and pictures: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/354242.html?1365851248

There were also rubber pads that are riveted to the gas tank straps: https://www.modeltford.com/item/290PAD.aspx

And upper pads that goes between the tank and the upper part of the cowl: https://www.modeltford.com/item/2917.aspx

I recently replaced the gas tank in my 1927. I purchased a new paper tank pad (that's what Lang's calls it) part # 2918 from them. Note: The pad is a little oversize and did require some trimming.