Who’s put windows into their engine covers, any photos? I’m looking for inspiration as I just bought a lovely new motor for my baby and it’d be a shame to keep it hidden. Can I put in Perspex/Makrolin windows in it or will these become heat damaged? I have a spare cover to work on thankfully.
Glass Eagle has one of the best windowed engine covers I've seen:
Hell Yeah thats the doggies danglies !!!! Is he on here couldn't find GlassEagle on the user list. I'd like to find out how he made it.
No he's not unfortunately. But someone will probably chime in soon on how to build one.
Had a look at my spare engine cover and think I hve it figured out. Just hope the material I intend on using doesn't get heat damaged or melt too easily!!
Shaggy, what you can also do is get another one and "WINDOW" that one. Just use it when your showing your van. That way, when your driving around town, you can use the one you have now and not worry about it melting on you.
Good idea I allready have a spare one. I've just been out in the garage cutting templates for the windows.
I just would not get too close to the headers. Lexan is tough and if you plan right you can make replaceable windows as they wear out. you will sacrifice insulation and get a little extra heat from doing this but if you want to look at your engine ... go for it !
The early vans have it easy for us! I remembered opening the top lid while driving the Dodge on one of my trips. My friend riding with me was fantasied as he watched the slant 225 drone on smoothly! I lol'd at him about that!
The top lid could be trimmed to install glass as a window there.
MetalStorm has porthole windows in the doghouse.
I'm gonna use the idea JJsRYD posted and make my spare one windowed and use it mainly for shows. No worries about heat then.
Anyone got a photo of metalstorms engine cover?
Go to showvans.com...click on events...click on 2009 NATS....click on Superbeast's photos and scroll down to Metalstorm...there are several pics there and a real good one of the engine cover off sitting beside the van. The port holes look like they are brass...and very well done.
I am not sure if Glen did this to Glass Eagle or not, but I have seen where you take the dog house off, and the insulation is just snapped in place on the inside with dome fasteners, and removed for the show, then simply snapped back on when you are on the road...Saves carrying an extra dog house around
The portholes on Metalstorm are real ports from an old boat.
However you decide to install the windows into the motor cover wouldn't matter to me. I think it's a great idea! I have seen some guy's just remove the cover when showing the van. But for the Chevy guy's like me there is a lot more to deal with. You also have to first remove the plastic glove box and drink tray. Then remove the carpet cover. Then you are finally at the actual motor cover. Oh yeah, In my case I would also have to remove the CB radio and led lights. Way to much to be dealing with on Saturday morning. Those of you that attend truckins know what I'm refering to. When my engine is finished and all dressed up (by Lost I hope) I will be looking into doing some viewing windows myself.
Anyway...good luck with your project, and get some pics for us!
Go to showvans.com...click on events...click on 2009 NATS....click on Superbeast's photos and scroll down to Metalstorm...there are several pics there and a real good one of the engine cover off sitting beside the van. The port holes look like they are brass...and very well done.
Nice but I would prefer more glass/perspex like on GlassEagle.
Making the insulation removable sounds like a great idea. Or maybe if I could find some scrapped ovens I could use the heat proof glass from oven doors!!! I might see if I can do without the upper section of the Chevy engine cover or maybe make some kinda quick release fasteners for it.
Whatever I come up with I'll be sure to post pictures. I've got two weeks off at easter and I'm gonna try and get as much done on the van as I can.
Sounds like a plan, Good Luck.
I'm very interested to see what you come up with.
I just would not get too close to the headers. Lexan is tough and if you plan right you can make replaceable windows as they wear out. you will sacrifice insulation and get a little extra heat from doing this but if you want to look at your engine ... go for it !
We mold polycarbonate here where I work into sign faces. It has to be dried in an oven 24hrs before molding to remove moisture, and then we heat it to around 340 deg f to just below the melting point and then vacuum to the mold. Any temps below 250 deg should be just fine.
Good to know. I might go on a few runs with the winowed cover in and see how it works out. I started work on it this evening. Did out the paper templates for the polycarbonate.
Here's another one, not sure which van it's from though, a friend sent it to me, from this thread.....
Second post by Boogie Van (you on here Boogie van ???).
clubroadster cool machines thread
Never seen those before, virtual and superbeast! Lovin'
Glass Eagle! StarDreamer did his before Autorama last year... used LEDs too (?).
Yeah stardreamer is beautifull!
Really nice how the chevy dash/two piece engine cover is incorporated in.
I found some photos on Jalopnik.
on the second page,the dodge engine cover looks like the "hemi van"?
A lot of work went into the dash alone on that van!!!!
........Wookee
Doing windows on my 78 Ford engine cover would mostly just show the back of the engine. But I think it looks good on those posted on here.
It's coming along nicely. I cut the windows out of 6mm polycarbonate. Three are in, 2 more side windows to go. The engine cover is made out of tougher material than I thought, I think it's glass reinforced nylon like Skyway tuff wheels!
Cut the Polycarbonate out.
Marked up the engine cover,
Two flat windows in,
The third window is curved so I used a ratchet strap to hold the curve in it while I bolted it in place.
Three windows in,
There's the two side windows to go then I need to upholster it which will be in red patent button tuck vinyl using chrome buttons. I then have to figure out how I am gonna sort out the dash issue. I'm thinking of making a fill in piece to make it more like a Dodge engine cover.I'm thinking also of having the bracketry sent off for chroming.
When I've it done and all photoed up maybe one of the mods could move this portion of the thread to the how - to section????
Nice work, that'll be a View to see.
That is awesome bro!
You went way beyond anything that I have seen before. It looks like iron head!
Are you planning on installing some lights inside there?
damn that was fast, you don't mess around. looks great so far
Looks great....can't wait to see the finished product!
Looks great so far.
Thanx Sask!
I'll move this to the how to section.
You may want to use a high temp sealer between the poly and the cover.
Yeah High temp sealer is a good idea. Should stop fumes coming through. I'm thinking of putting a new heat proof lining on it too. I used FatMat (like dynamat) under the bonnet of my '72 Scimitar (classic british car) before and it worked well. Not sure if it's heat proof enough to reduce heat transfer into the cab sufficiently though. Anyone got any suggestions, the original fibreglass mat is too bulky and in too poor condition to re-use.
I'm planning on some lights in there too probably a white LED array shining down from under the dash. Gotta do the upholstery on it first.
Anyway photos I know how you guys love photos, here's my solution to the chevy 2 part cover problem.Chop it to bits!
Second Skin Audio sells several thermal management products. They are available as metalized mats or a water-based paint-on coating.
http://secondskinaudio.com/thermal-insulation/heat-wave-pro.phphttp://secondskinaudio.com/viewproduct.php?id_product=355http://secondskinaudio.com/thermal-acoustic-insulation/firewall.phpThese products don't weigh a much as the obscenely heavy noise deadener products, so it might be *relatively* affordable to ship over seas.
Contact Anthony directly if you need more info; he's very helpful:
http://secondskinaudio.com/contact-information.phpClear skies!
Oh I see, you cut the sides and bottom off the factory cover. But how will you attach it now? Only the two bolts behind the ash tray?
It hooks on at the top and I'm gonna put two clasps on the side, kinda like mini versions of the ones that hold the main engine cover on. Just have to find suitable chrome clasps now.
Yes I understand now. That should work out fine.
Nice job bro.
Superbeast isn't his meant to be in the Generic how-to section? Paint and bodywork doesn't seem like the right home for it?!?!
Shaggy, looking good, should look great when you get it done. Like others have said, we use two engine covers, one without with windows that we use for longer drives and one with windows for the shows. We usually dont have any issues driving 30-40 miles with the one with the windows but it does get a little warm and is noisier as we do not have the dynamat on the inside of it like the one without windows. The windows sure area an attention getter at the shows.
I have one of the fabric covers that clip on to the engine cover with pop fasteners, I think it’s made by Krull. What I may try is using the windowed cover permanently with heat barrier matting on the inside in-between the windows. Then if I use the cover on the outside too that may cut down the heat and noise enough. I may have to sew fire blanket to the inside of the Krull cover too. If that works I won’t have to take the engine cover on and off at all just take off the Krull cover at shows!
If it doesn't work I still have the original engine cover to switch back to.
Did some more work on it. I clamped on the old insulation ,drew on where the windows willl be and cut out the holes for them. This will be glued back in after upholstering the top.
Then I glued on foam to the outside. I'm just waiting on vinyl material now which will be button tucked onto the out side , then I'll re-attach the insulation/heat barrier and then screw in the windows.
hi my dog house in pegasus is split into 3 pieces i take off the right side to view it
WOW Shaggy that turned out GREAT! have any pics with it on the van?
That looks awesome Shaggy! Now where are you going to fit the brass pole?
;0)
Clear skies!
My friend steve and I were discussing the sad irony of "dolling up" the motor of a van, only to cover it with a large opaque shell. I mentioned the idea of adding windows or ports to the sides of the doghouse, he seemed to think it was a pretty wild idea. Which made me want to do it even more, especially now that my ol' 318 now has a little bling on her. Lookin good Shaggy, cant wait to see it on the van!
I’m waiting on a piston to rebuild the rebuilt engine I bought (that’s a whole other story
see tips on engine install ) . Thanks for the nice comments as soon as the engine is back together I’ll post pics of it all blinged out to the max.
Nice "vanner porn" you have going there.......
........Wookee
Nice job buddy! Came out sweet!
OK so where's the pic's in the van ? We want pic's or it didnt happen ....lol
Wow 8 year old post revival , OK I guess it's about time for some photo's. I'll try and take some over the weekend.
Here ye go....
IMG_3478 by
shagedemus, on Flickr
IMG_3474 by
shagedemus, on Flickr
IMG_3470 by
shagedemus, on Flickr
IMG_3469 by
shagedemus, on Flickr
Cool.
That last pic looks like a sloth face.
Nice work there Shaggy! Truly some high quality George Barris lookin' action definitely going on in there. Outlandishly Outstanding!