Removable Center Engine Cover

Marlin,

I for one, am very interested.

Does the removable "hump" seal well enough that noise, heat & fumes can't intrude the passenger compartment?

George

Hello George, I must say that all of the sealing for noise and fumes remains original at the closure of the Steel Cover. So any sealing will be as good as the rubber gasket that was originally there, on my car anyway. The 'Second'(fiberglass)cover over the first, will have 'breaks' along the seams. I have added a 1/2" thick heat/noise blanket under the full length of the entire firewall cover and 'bubble'. And since the Larger cover is no longer is removed, you could go even thicker on the blanket. Thanks for asking!

quote:

Originally posted by MARLIN JACK:
Hello George, I must say that all of the sealing for noise and fumes remains original at the closure of the Steel Cover. So any sealing will be as good as the rubber gasket that was originally there, on my car anyway. The 'Second'(fiberglass)cover over the first, will have 'breaks' along the seams. I have added a 1/2" thick heat/noise blanket under the full length of the entire firewall cover and 'bubble'. And since the Larger cover is no longer is removed, you could go even thicker on the blanket. Thanks for asking!

I always thought it would be handy to be able to open that cover while you are driving and dial in more advance as you go.

that sounds like a good idea till some one gets their shirt sleeve caught in the fan belt while going down the interstate.

...That would be possible for the PASSENGER to adjust timing while driving; if you had already removed the 10 machine screws AND the Steel cover, Before you started off, as the steel cover is quite bulky. But, Could be dangerous! And the passenger seat back comes very close to the alternator pulley, and the drivers' shoulder and seat back is close to the water pump pulley! I wouldn't recommend it...

Marlin,

Thanks for the photos. This is an upgrade that Jack DeRyke has mentioned often in the past and as you found, it is really pretty simple. As I just had my fiberglass bulkhead removed for AC service, I studied the bulkhead and would like to add the following to your procedure.

The numerous studs and nuts hold the edges of the upholstered panels. These studs are welded to metal strips (2) that anchor the edges of the vinyl sections behind the two seats. A third and very long metal strip anchors the top convex vinyl panel that runs on the outside edge of the bulkhead panel. But the vinyl covering on the center bubble is only glued on its edges to the fiberglass, and it runs beyond the bubble and beneath the metal strips. If you remove all the nuts and then the metal strips, you will find there is enough of the bubble vinyl to allow you to peel off the edges, do the fiberglass cutting, and then wrap and glue the bubble vinyl to the back of the bubble, giving the bubble edges a finished look. It sounds more complicated than it is. Just grab the bull by the horns, undo all those little nuts and you'll see how simple it all is. Again Marlin, thanks for giving us the photos :-)

Larry

You said it best Larry! Thanks for adding what I left out.

quote:

1/2" thick heat/noise blanket

Do you think NAPA has a heat/noise blanket in stock? Where did you buy the heat/noise blanket? Neat idea and project.

I looked around and found your project photos and will try to set up a link for others who are interested: http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6450045562/m/8730078353

Thanks for sharing your project, nice to see it.

Summit probably carries it. Maybe PAW.

Yes, Summit Racing has the heat blanket. I recommend getting the foil on Both sides. I purchased from J.C. Whitney(I beleive they only offer the foil on ONE side). You can also purchase the spray can of adhesive, works well! Spray BOTH contact sides, the firewall and blanket. There 'may' be room for the 1" thickness on the cockpit side of the firewall, but on the 'Engine Bay' side there is only clearance for the 1/2" thick blanket as the fuel tank fits/slides back in very tightly. My blanket sheet came in a 4' X 6' piece, and there was plenty to do Both sides of the firewall, and the central bubble. I first cut the sheet down the middle into two, 2' X 6' pieces, as the firewall is aproximately 24" high. It is a great improvement.