Finally got something I think I always wanted. I will be putting a 87/88 t/c hood on my 86 XR7 and rather than having the scoops open and allowing water and whatever else into the engine compartment am thinking of closing them off. What have you guys with this style hood done? Pics suggestions ideas are as always appreciated.
Vinnie made some block off plates, I have seen pics around here somewhere .
Look at what Gumby did. That way they'll actually do something.
I made block off plates that require no mods to the car at all,easily removed and installed,and work great to keep everything out of the engine bay in any weather.No-one has ever even noticed them until I said something.
I made mine from aluminum.I came up with the design one evening while I was sitting at the dining room table.
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/100_2186.jpg)
You should make more of these VInnie. I'd be the first on the list.
I'd buy a set from you too Vin
I did a similar thing using Lexan, you know, Duponts high endurance plastic.
I may make a couple of sets and see where it goes from there.I'll let everyone know in about a week.
I was actually thinking about making some out of lexan and backlighting it with either snake eyes or maby 5 0
Do you use silicone around their edges to keep water from getting past them Vinnie?
I don't use anything with my block off plates. Water never gets all over the engine. I like to be able to remove them on calm pretty nights when all the car guys hook up. You should see everyone peaking through the scoops is really the 2.3 I tell them it is with loud lers. Funny stuff.
Put red and blue lights in the scoops, one color per scoop. Hook a flasher up to them. Drive down the highway at night. Have great fun watching people get out of your way. Ignore similar looking lights that appear in your rearview..it's just other people out for the same kinda fun. Send me your address so I can send you an occasional Playboy mag while you're in the slammer....
On second thought, probably not such a good idea...yeah, just leave a blank panel in there ;)
I bought a set from Vinnie, no water, leaves, birds, and no silicone
There are so many guys here who've put TC hoods on their 5.0 cars, I'll bet there are quite a few of them who didn't close up their scoops. That would make me nervous. When I put a TC hood on the Red Winged Blackbird, I'm definitely gonna block the scoops off. I don't like the idea of rain washing over my distributor, protective rubber boot on the distributor, or not.
With the baffles I made, I've never had any issues at all. In any weather. I just didn't want any permanant alterations made. I can install or remove these in a minute. Literally.
If things are as slow as I think they're gonna be after the Steelers game today, I just might go buy a sheet of aluminum from Lowes and make a set of baffles. :)
The problems I have with my TC hood, is that I have ground down the A/C bracket and the stud that hits, and it still raises the scoop when the motor rocks under acceleration. So much so that it broke the plastic scoop from the metal bracket. The shop I had paint my hood completely stripped the mounting bolt out of the scoop, so it is junk anyway now. I'm gonna mess with it once I pull it off so they can repaint the hood and new scoops I'll be getting. I just use painters tape when I wash it, but I don't drive it under any bad weather conditions. It sits nice and cozy in the storage unit when I'm not hot-rodding in it.
I don't even have the upper steel bracket on mine. I put a little loctite on the lower 4 bolts, and have had no issues at all. I may even take the top bolt hole off the compressor. No clearance issues with my scoops either.
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/DSCF9046.jpg)
I might have to do that. My A/C isn't functional at all. The O-Rings are all shot and I don't have the time or patience to replace them because I always cruise with the windows down since I rarely turn on my AM/FM radio(no cassette for me haha).
Go a/c delete with the Mustang bracket and Ford Racing eliminator. I have the bracket, but not the eliminator. They can be found for $30.00 or so. Easy swap, cleans up a lot of stuff if you don't plan on ever using the a/c. Otherwise, get the a/c system repaired and drive in comfort.