Thread: Thinkin' out loud

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I guess I could build a case for certain kinds of engine covers either way. Like Uncle Bob, I'm not a big fan of someone leaving the hood up for the entire car show, especially if I'm snapping pics. While I'm interested in seeing what's under the hood, I also wanna see the car as it would be driving down the street. Same goes for open doors & deck lids. Leave 'em open for a few minutes then close 'em for a while....but that's just me.

I definitely appreciate a clean, well-designed and attractive engine compartment though, whether that included some cover, partial cover or not. Here's a couple of modern power plants in old cars I saw Saturday. No matter how it's done, I'd be happy to have one of these under my hood!!
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The first two pics are my kind of engine cover Randy.

This is a subject that made me choose my latest engine, I have to admit to each their own and I have seen some engine covers I do like (saw one out of 'glass made out of the owners girlfriends rear that had been cast) I went to a NSRA show (past 5 years) where a car had been built in the mid 80's and had a crossfire injected smallblock in it, at the time it was cutting edge but had been old news for the past 30 years long outdated, I was planning on a LS motor but looks where a concern, heck the things a streetrod who doesn't want a cool motor but in 5 years the latest could be the crossfire injection deal, outdated, there is always something "newer" and faster etc. Even though my streetrod is a Wildrod modernized 37 ford I went backwards and dropped in a early hemi, like a flatty, it was cool, and still is and probably always will be, right there with all the legendary powerplants, call it outdated or whatever but it still unique and killer in looks in my opinion (besides being sort of mysterious to even some gearheads). I just believe the beauty of simplicity and the modern motors aren't always the most simplistic, be it any brand (I am not partial) As far as the engine covers, I think they are seeking the simplicity and cleanliness the older powerplants have without a cover, so instead of coil packs, sensors and wires I guess a well made engine cover can look better, yeah I know they are powerful, but my drag racing days are few & far between anymore (otherwise the hemi would get blown)
On a seperate note a lot of shows specify in the entry the engine must be exposed for judging and the hood must be raised. Matthyj

In the case of a new LS3 Chevy engine like mine, there are eight ignition coils and a whole lot of wiring on top of the engine, that looks really ugly, IMO. The same engine in a Corvette, Camaro or Cadillac has a complete engine cover on it, from the factory. I tried to use a Cadillac cover, but it really didn't fit well, so I chose to try making my own. I've slowly trimmed some material off each side, so you can see the polished stainless exhaust manifolds and the spark plug wires, but that's about it. There's nothing else pretty to look at.

To get an LS motor in my car and make it serviceable, I'm using all stock GM parts, except for the alternator mount. In my car, a high mount alternator is the only choice. Power steering and AC compressor take up the other open spots. Due to the short length between the firewall and radiator, I'm also forced to use an intake snorkel that sits right over the top of the intake manifold - it's ugly, but there's no other choice. That snorkel has to be supported and the engine cover mounting serves double duty to support the snorkel.

With no engine cover, an LS3 is not pretty.






Here's a stock LS3 for a Cadillac CTS. Unfortunately, the low mount alternator won't fit any car with a Mustang style steering rack. Corvette accessory drives don't work in most old cars, due to the wide placement of the alternator.

While covering up the ugly is an option, there are also ways to beautify a LS platform engine, and even to "disguise" the modern EFI to some extent. The biggest wart is those coil packs atop the rocker covers, but they can be remote mounted with a harness extension, and the harness can be cleaned up to move the coil pack connector back to the firewall just by cutting tape. Coil packs under the dash sound good to me, but I know some move them to the wheel well with some custom splash shields. The injector wiring can be cleaned up too, and just getting rid of the fugly spiral wrap plastic is a good first step. An aftermarket intake can deal with the front mount throttle body, and there are a bunch of rocker cover options out there now, with more coming weekly. A cover for the ugly is OK if that's what you like, but it's not the only way to skin the LS cat.

Well most of the guys above have already said what my thoughts are on engine covers and the later model UGLIES . For me, hot rods have carburettors and the more,the better. Fuel injection has eight induction tubes sticking up through the bonnet or like Tommy Ivo's T. As for engines , I'm stuck in the 60's where hemi's, nailheads, Caddies, flatheads and the odd Chevy smallblock were the engine of choice. And of course, the luck few who got their hands on a 348 or 409 cu.in. Chevy to power their cars. As for those who use a late model engine in a T Bucket just leaves me cold...

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Well most of the guys above have already said what my thoughts are on engine covers and the later model UGLIES . For me, hot rods have carburettors and the more,the better. Fuel injection has eight induction tubes sticking up through the bonnet or like Tommy Ivo's T. As for engines , I'm stuck in the 60's where hemi's, nailheads, Caddies, flatheads and the odd Chevy smallblock were the engine of choice. And of course, the luck few who got their hands on a 348 or 409 cu.in. Chevy to power their cars. As for those who use a late model engine in a T Bucket just leaves me cold...

I don't agree with that last part. Saw a righteous '32 in New Plymouth, NZ running a Lexus V8. Done right the modern engine can be cleaned up and look awesome. I recall a Ford 4.6 Mod Motor in a '56 F100 that had everyone scratching their heads - no coil packs visible, rocker covers about a mile wide, and everything clean and pristine. Late model engines can be super cool, done right.

On my Indian motorcycle, the coil is hidden by a finned, chrome cover.

Maybe that's the ticket for all the coil packs.

Originally Posted by rspears

I don't agree with that last part. Saw a righteous '32 in New Plymouth, NZ running a Lexus V8. Done right the modern engine can be cleaned up and look awesome. I recall a Ford 4.6 Mod Motor in a '56 F100 that had everyone scratching their heads - no coil packs visible, rocker covers about a mile wide, and everything clean and pristine. Late model engines can be super cool, done right.

Not sure if this is the one you're referring to, Roger but here's the 32 Ford that Lexus built using the parts they had laying around..... Didn't leave me cold at all!!

That one's very nice, Randy, but this is the one that I recalled from the trip down south. It was at the NSRA NZ Show & Shine.

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Originally Posted by rspears

That one's very nice, Randy, but this is the one that I recalled from the trip down south. It was at the NSRA NZ Show & Shine.

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Yeah, Roger, this one looks more "traditionally" built whereas the other one has Lexus engineers fingerprints all over it! Either way, they both turned out pretty nice.

LOL, You guys crack me up! We chop up our cars, put all kinds of after market things on um to the point where the only thing that is kind of original is the body. And we are concerned about an engine cover? Sorry I had to spray a clear coat on this! LOL Press on...

Originally Posted by M.T.

LOL, You guys crack me up! We chop up our cars, put all kinds of after market things on um to the point where the only thing that is kind of original is the body. And we are concerned about an engine cover? Sorry I had to spray a clear coat on this! LOL Press on...

Just wait until we get on the subject of seats.....

Boy you know how to shut me up real quick dont ya! LOL

Originally Posted by M.T.

Boy you know how to shut me up real quick dont ya! LOL

Just kiddin' Bob, jus' kiddin!