Thread: Looking for a bug catcher, or some sort of scoop for the 350

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Ive kind of looked around on summit and havent found to much in the way of what Im looking for just yet. It just a naturally aspirated 600 edelbrock carb'd 350 thats mildy built with a decent idle. I have a picture painted of a 41 Willys pickup that has a bug catcher coming out of the hood and it looks pretty good. Wheres a good spot to look for something like this? I guess I should post pics for reference?


Im not sure about this just yet but Im thinking its an option.

Well... I don't know... I better try it out for a while so I can develop an informed opinion... whatcha think?

I've never really hunted thoroughly for a scoop but I saved a link to O'Brien Truckers and they have a couple cool looking scoops: Custom Car Club Plaques from O'Brien Truckers

Speedway Motors has their "Shotgun" scoop. Someone used to make a bug catcher looking scoop for carbs--can't remember who it was but maybe someone else will....

I would have a hard time cutting a hole in the hood of that pristine Willys. For me the "bug catcher" scoop advertises a roots type blower where there's no other way to run a hood without a hole, and just putting spacers atop the carb to make a scoop stick out is going to look kind of funky when you lift the hood, like "Why??" Now if you want to start from the bottom, slip a nice polished 4-71 or 6-71 blower in there......
Just my opinion, and its your truck to get your look. Garlits markets a nice "bird catcher" style scoop, reminiscent of the Enderle units in the day - STREET CATCHER - SC520 Garlits Dual Carb Blower Scoop (note they're all atop blowers in their advertising pictures ); and there's a bunch listed on evilBay if you just Google "carburetor bug catcher".

Thanks guys, yea I would love to have a blower on the truck. Probably the next motor setup will have one, I will be looking at an LS swap for the next one though so I dont forsee a massive blower.

Originally Posted by 1923tbucket

Thanks guys, yea I would love to have a blower on the truck. Probably the next motor setup will have one, I will be looking at an LS swap for the next one though so I don't foresee a massive blower.

So why cut the hood and fit a bug catcher scoop atop your carbs? Do you just like that "look"? Just curious.

One aluminum scoop that was popular on 60s gassers was a ribbed cast aluminum scoop used on big Ford trucks. You would have seen it often in those days on injected cars.

They actually bolted on top of your hood. ...and it would still be classical gasser stuff! :-)

Looks like Offenhauser makes repros, and Summit sells them for $120

Nice mechanical look... shaped kind of like a Hilborn scoop halfway through the hood... and when you opened it there would not be a scoop sitting 12 to 18 inches above the carb. It would function as a cold air scoop.

ofy-5285.jpg

When I look at your Willys, I see a very nice custom pickup rather than a gasser style Willys. With the stance, billet style wheels etc. I think a gasser looking scoop would make it look a bit confusing as to what you want the car to be.

Personally I like the truck as it is.

Mick

I'm just an amateur but I agree with Rog and Mick on "NOT" cutting a hole in the hood.
However, it's easy to see that whatever you do will look "Good" - - nice pick'emup !

meller

With all due respect to people's right to opinions.....

I'm a '60s "drag guy"! A Willys like that will never look "right" ...WITHOUT... a hole in the hood! :-)

You may not have noticed, but NOBODY ever restores one!

Their fame and their value is from Gasser Class drag racing! The more they look like a racecar, the better they are received!

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

With all due respect to people's right to opinions.....
I'm a '60s "drag guy"! A Willys like that will never look "right" ...WITHOUT... a hole in the hood! :-)
You may not have noticed, but NOBODY ever restores one!
Their fame and their value is from Gasser Class drag racing! The more they look like a racecar, the better they are received!

I agree 100% about everyone's right to their opinion. The problem to me (and my opinion) is this truck's not built as a Gasser, and the "Gasser scoop" was there because the blower demanded it, not just to achieve a look. If you want the Willy's Gasser appearance it's going to take a lot more than a hood scoop, even that ribbed aluminum unit posted above. Bottom line, it's your truck and you need to do it the way you want for the look you like.

When I say "Gasser"... I mean it in referrence to the class.

Today many younger enthusists seem to think gassers were always "sky high" like the very early sixties cars, with skinny hard slicks. They had to raise them for any chance of traction! As the tires got bigger and softer, suspensions got better, and automatic transmissions were improved, the cars were lowered. By the end of the era... they were on the ground.... but they were still honest to God Gassers!

This Willys pickup has mag wheels and big tires. On a Willys, that means "Gasser" in my world! :-)~ ...but in today's world there is always debate on any issue. {:-)

I would agree that the builder needs to satisfy himself... and he wanted a hood scoop suggestion.