Project No-Flight Update
October 2003
I decided that the custom hood scoop I had made didn't look enough like the original 427 scoops. It also was higher in the rear than I needed to clear the FI intakes (the closest clearance is at the front due to the motor rake), so decided a little surgery was in order. I think the modified scoop fits much better with the lines of the car, and it greatly improves the visibility too
Old
New
In the second photo above you can also see that the headlight mounts and buckets are in place, but the clear covers still need to be fabricated and mounts for them installed. You can also see the airflow block plates in the grill opening. The only place where air will be allowed to enter the nose is for the radiator. The block plates will be painted the same black as the radiator, and eventually get a simple custom aluminum bar "grill" mounted to them.
While I was working on the hood I extended the front edge along the center ridge (where it had been improperly cut by the manufacturer) and installed all the mount points. There was no good way to use the normal Cleco mounting plates along the front edge, as the steel brace is too far forward to fasten them too. Instead I fabricated a special mounting loop that ties into the radiator support frame.
I've started to track down all the little plumbing nits. The first search was for an alternator that would fit with the engine plate. Eastern Automotive Electric makes a very trick small alternator and mount for motor plate cars. It's best feature is that the post is on the side not on the back. Of course the "as delivered" bracket positioned the side post exactly where my steering shaft passes through. A little surgery to clock the bracket differently and it all fit. It even aligns with the pulleys for a long water pump with the added thickness of the motor plate. An AC compressor is next in the search.
I also was never too fond of the esthetics of the original fuel pressure regulator, so located a different one and a very trick NPT to female AN fitting that allows me to easily clock the regulator to align to to-be-installed return line.
Stay tuned for the next installment....
