Firewall pad installation???

[R68GTO]

Didn't find my answer in a search so grabbed this old thread to add onto it. The AIM doesn't mention the firewall pad so my question is related to how the steering column clamp plates interface with the pad. I bought a molded pad from HBC and it has a hole cut out for the column but it also had a much larger perforated section around that hole. I know the 2 pc. clamp plate with foam seal goes against the inside of the metal firewall but how do you get it behind there? Do you remove the larger perforated opening? Guess I'm wondering what it looks like after it's assembled.