How funtional are the vents on the BB hoods (65/396)? The vents on my car are held on by a long black strip on aluminum, one on each side.
-
-
Re: 65/396 Hood Vents
Chris----
The 65-66 hood vents are designed to be functional. The long black metal plates on the underside, if installed as original, are designed to shield and divert water from the engine. As far as "how functional" or "functional efficiency", I couldn't tell you.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 65/396 Hood Vents
Joe knocked that one (water diverters). Without 'em (you'll see lots of '65 L78 and '66 427 driver cars missing these) you can expect 'funnies' when you cruise in the rain and water finds its way back into the distributor/coil area. We verified this last summer in a weekend outing to shake down a '65 L78 made into drag strip car that was scheduled to do the National Road Tour to Sun Valley. Can tell ya up front, addition of the missing water diverters in the hood made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the world as to high speed driving in the rain!
On the issue as to whether or not the power bulge vents are functional, my take is 'yes' but a qualified yes. Suggest MOST of feature is there for eye appeal cosmetics, but there IS a minor contribution to function.....
If you run your L78 up to temp, take 'er out and cruise 'er check this out. Once she's good and warmed, pull over, shut 'er down then IMMEDIATELY run your hands over the hood and fenders. You'll find all areas are warm, but the upper fenders over the side vents get DOWNRIGHT HOT! This is because the side vents were actually functional and pulling convection heat out of the engine compartment.
Now, take the same setup, remove the hood side vents and glass in the holes. Since we build/service vintage race cars, I've seen this configuration. Do the same test and you'll find the HOT portion of the fender glass above the fender side vents extends in a V-shape across the hood meeting at/near the carb. This would promote carb fuel bowl percolation and might be part of the reason the power bulge hood got dressed up with its chrome vents....Comment
-
Re: 65/396 ALUMINUM Hood Vents ??
My 66-427 hood has the same chrome grilles. The rain shields were missing when I got the car (along with a lot of other parts) and after cleaning the rust off my PB master cylinder and coated exhaust manifolds several times, I found the rain shields in a (CorvCentrl) catalog. They are heavy steel, so I made duplicates from aluminum. Are you sure yours are original?
I'm sure they help with WAT air flow on BB cars, since they have exposed air cleaners elements. Prove it by plugging the opening under the hood with tape. - DaveComment
-
Re: 65/396 ALUMINUM Hood Vents ??
Dave --- The factory shields are made of steel, and are heavier than they look.Comment
-
Re: 65/396 ALUMINUM Hood Vents rain shields?
That's (they are heavier than they look) why I reproduced them out of aluminum and put the steel ones away. I just wanted to be sure that 65 factory originals were'nt aluminum. When Chris said his grilles were held in by black aluminum pieces, I thought he had aluminum factory rain shields. - DaveComment
-
Re: 65/396 ALUMINUM Hood Vents rain shields?
I stand corrected. The shields are not aluminum and are heavier than they look.
ChrisComment
Comment