Stingxray

Don't laugh ........ But has anyone seen .......or made 63 hood vents functional? I was thinking a fabricator with a mill could louver out a billet 1/2 plate aluminum to match the "fake baker tins. And naturaly cut out the fiberglass portion of the hood. The Idea is sound for two reasons. Exhaust heat from the radiator and reduce front end lift at high speeds. Some molding of the hood frame on the back side would be needed also. Think it would it look hokie? Any Ideas are appreciated.

wmf62

don't park it outside in the rain...
Bill

magicv8

Overbudget beat you to it.

wmf62

not really, that's a diamond pattern; not the rectangular one of the original..
Bill

jim lockwood

Your thinking makes plenty of sense and functional vents made from billet would look awesome.

But will you be driving with the floor vents open?

If so, the negative pressure at the cowl vents will induct the exhausted engine heat, sending it into the passenger compartment. This is one of the reasons GM didn't make the vents functional.

Jim

BADBIRDCAGE

I can dig it as long as it doesn't end up like this.

Rich

Trophy Blue

My eyes are bleeding!

nassau66427

You'd probably accomplish more by opening the side vents and adding a chin spoiler.

silverslashstreak

Jim is right on, the hood vents were originally designed to be functional, but after testing they found the engine heat all ended up inside the cabin through they cowl vents. So at the last minute they closed them up and made them fake.

I think you already have the best plan for getting under hood heat out of 63 and 64s. Very taste full and functional at the same time.

silverslashstreak

Sorry Stingxray, I just looked at your avatar closer, I thought you were the fellow forum member that opened up the side vents and put the spears in place to hide the openings to let the heat out. Someone here will probably post pictures of his car.

Jeff

toddalin

Voila!







One day maybe I'll get around to putting blacked-out screens on the inside of the cut-outs.

And while we were at it..., we also opened the hood, but retained the chrome trim.

magicv8

Have you removed the big steel sheet metal splash guards that blocks the underhood air from exiting behind the exhaust manifold outlets? That helped my A-C condenser through the radiator airflow a lot.

sub006

Even if you keep your vents closed, you'll probably get an oily film on the windshield. Non-smogged small blocks tend to exhale underhood at high RPMs.

vettebuyer6369

Hokey? Naw. Just... nasty.

needforspeed150

I have thought about doing just that. Do what you are talking about and have a sheet metal shop do you a pan to glue to the underside of the hood to let the water run to either side. I thought about water exit going to the front but that doesnt work going down the road in the rain.
Let us know if you do it.

Stingxray

Great feed back everyone...... It's Like an old British friend use to say.....( British accent) "If it's not factory............ it's Not RIGHT. There are reasons FOR and Against. The SWC is already painted and would hate to mar it up. The interior Heat, Oil spatter & rain water issues are all things I wanted to hear before I got out the SAWSALL! The Pie tins look good for now till I get the car back on the road. Thanks for Stories & Lifes Lessons