WTB, engine cover, screen type for 1972

I believe Steve’s bubble reproductions would be only for the late cars built after 5001 with Dzus fasteners.

because the bubble centers apparently had the large curvature, they would be the long version and that would not work for 2695, which should be an 18” car

Steve - A bubble, large curvature reproduction, needing shortening to fit 2695, would be a 19” with a curvature mismatch for 2695. Was this curvature issue discussed with Wilkinson???

Steve - are you sure your screen came from a push button, or could it have been a post push button prior to 2002??

Pantera Pat - your measurements indicate you have a large curvature panel, and would appear to be correct for 1744

if you want to eliminate that quarter inch overhang, you could just trim the necessary amount from the forward edge that sits in the U channel. That might necessitate drilling new screw holes in your side covers

I am now thinking the large curvature, 19 inch flat screen panels were used for all cars prior to 2002.

so the early cars had a large curvature, then at 2002 the screens became the shallow curvature, but after 5001 returned to the large curvature for the bubble screen????

If correct this tells me the 19 inch large curvature screens are a rare animal. Shortening one to fit a post 2002 car seems reasonable, but its rarity means it should not be altered?

Larry

As for Larry Stock I spoke with him this morning. Yes he has various screens stashed in his upper storage mezzanine. But he is leaving tomorrow for the great lakes Pantera gathering, then on to Florida and thus won’t be available for awhile.

Larry

Nice work Larry - Kojack is on the case here for sure.  

Brian, I would call Larry when he get's back or go see him since he is in your state!  

Thanks Pat, just got off the phone with him and I sent him a bunch of pictures of my car. He has some ideas using a late model screen with the hump, which while not needed, would fit nevertheless and provide the rain protection too...we'll see since he's on the road...

Good to know. I'm still a bit concerned for the fit at the back over the distributor...

UPDATE - I managed to mis-remember Brian’s‘ car. Instead of 5811 it is 2811

THEREFORE,

I’m not sure the Wilkinson reproduction bubble center will fit your car.

Wilkinson told Steve his reproduction bubble cover would need to be shortened for 2695,

BUT -

I do not think the length is the only problem to installing a bubble cover on a Pre VIN5001 car.

Brian’s current side covers appear to be the later style (not original to 2811 ) that used Dzus fasteners, which would be correct for the large curvature of the  bubble center.

if the previous owner did not modify the side covers then the bubble center might fit.

but the mismatch between the side covers and the center cover rear edges still tells me something is out of whack somewhere.

Brian, I think you should remove all three sections and take a series of photos for us to study.

I just don’t want to see Brian start to collect side covers and screens if his current pieces can be sorted out for a correct fit

Larry

Just to make things more interesting, these are the two bolts fastening the screen down...

😳😳

in your earlier photos it looked like there was some screen distortion near one of those screws. Is that correct? If so, is it on both sides?

Larry

Not really. When the nuts are tightened down, the screen still flexes because it's not secured further, so I can grab the edge and bend it up, but out of the car the screen looks near perfect.

In this picture you can see my fingers on the right lifting it up, hence that bit of distortion at the nut...

Can you lay your screen on a flat surface and take a side, profile photo

Larry

Of course...

Thanks 😁

Yep, it is the large curvature version.

it does measure 19 inches, correct?

and I believe that version was only correct for cars before VIN 2002

what we really need at this point is for someone with a bubble cover to get a ruler and find out if it is an 18 inch or 19 inch cover.

because the bubble cover has a large curvature it seems reasonable that it is 19 inches like the earlier large curvature flat screen version?????

but if yours is 19 inches and the bubble version is 19 inches, yours should be fitting much better on the side covers.????

Larry

Yes, 19 inches. The side covers is where the fit is off. This started because I can hear the screen rattle because it isn't secured on those spots. Not sure what the fix is for that. How hard is it to replace the side covers?

All three pieces of the engine cover are hard to find and pricey when you do.

if my previous conjectures are correct, you have an early early large curvature flat screen (prior to 2002) and the last bubble version, outside fuel door, (after 5001) large curvature side covers. They are both 19 inch, so I am still perplexed why you have your fitment issue.

none of your three pieces are correct for your VIN 2811

Could you pull the side covers and see how the three pieces fit together outside the engine bay?

Larry

6512

If the front edge of his cover was bent to match the radius of the curve that would pull the cover back and the screws might line up.

@Larry. I can pull the side covers, but not till next week. I have out of town company rolling in...I sure appreciate all the effort you all are putting into this!

@tsolo, THAT is an interesting idea. However, it still gives me the same screen with the scoop, the very thing, along with the fitment, I'm trying to get rid of.

Tsolo, thanks for the photos that are showing that the bubble cover is also 18 inches

My assumption that the bubble cover would be 19 inches is proven wrong.

So if the bubble cover is 18 then the early (past 2002)  and the Dzus side covers must also be 18

I must admit I am getting more than a bit confused on the curvature differences that I see with the screens in my garage.

but with these new photos I can return to my cautious belief that a late bubble cover should match Brian’‘s side covers

One thought is that the support brackets for the side covers can become bent and/or pushed forward/backwards, all of which would cause fitment issues.

if Brian wants a flat center screen to match his current side covers he will have to have it made, find an early early cover that can be shortened, or find a post 2002 flat screen and adjust the curvature to fit the side panels as needed

The previous owner who added the side fuel door is undoubtedly the source of this fitment issue 😤

Larry