Do side vents provide much cooling?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 246
Likes: 15
From: Pell City AL
Do side vents provide much cooling?
I understand the 73-82 side vents were designed to help remove heat from the engine compartment. The ones on my '75 were closed off at some point.
Is there any signficant engine compartment cooling opening them up?
Is there any signficant engine compartment cooling opening them up?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: East Haddam CT
As your Corvette moves through the air those side vents create a low pressure area that helps draw hot under hood air out of the engine compartment. That makes more room for cooler outside air to enter and flow through your radiator and at the same time wick some heat from the engine components allowing your engine to run a bit cooler. Like Bill said, the nose at 120 - 140 will not rise as much but 140 in a C3 will still scare you to death.
The fresh air might make a very slight difference in the cockpit temperature but likely not enough to help cool you.
To bluntly answer your question I'd say yes, the side vents help cooling - but only if you are the engine
.
RB
The fresh air might make a very slight difference in the cockpit temperature but likely not enough to help cool you.
To bluntly answer your question I'd say yes, the side vents help cooling - but only if you are the engine
.RB
Last edited by Commodore; Jun 27, 2013 at 09:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 246
Likes: 15
From: Pell City AL
Thanks, think I will go ahead and open them up. Working in that tight area with a cutting wheel is the main thing holding me back.
I thought Bill was joking about the 140mph, guess not. Wonder how many people take thier C3 over 140....
I thought Bill was joking about the 140mph, guess not. Wonder how many people take thier C3 over 140....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
Mine have a substantial amount of heat coming out of them after a drive. My daughter pointed it out while standing next to it. I would open them as these cars can use all the help they can get with cooling.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
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From: Shreveport LA
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: East Haddam CT
Let's see some 120 to 0 MPH numbers
. That will get the old adrenalin pumped up and you'll very quickly develop a better understanding of physics after you've tried a few times 
How easy it is to forget that some C3 have celebrated 45 birthdays
RB
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Don't forget that those side vents in your '73 are functional just like the various seals and block-out panels that serve to force the air through them. Make certain they are all present and in good condition. This serves to keep air flowing through the very tight engine compartment while the engine is running thus reducing load on the engine cooling system.
Once the engine is turned off after a decent ride the engine compartment temperature will rise because there is no longer any form of cooling. The metal air cleaner body will be BURNING hot end everything inside the engine compartment is designed to withstand these temperatures.
The very same thing occurs in modern cars whose engine compartments are completely crammed full.
Once the engine is turned off after a decent ride the engine compartment temperature will rise because there is no longer any form of cooling. The metal air cleaner body will be BURNING hot end everything inside the engine compartment is designed to withstand these temperatures.
The very same thing occurs in modern cars whose engine compartments are completely crammed full.
