AC w/Fiberglass Duck tail?

[jeffrey2]

Just got a f/g ducktail; dry fitted and adjusted it properly before painting. A thought hit me this AM around 3:00 -

With the air conditioner 'part' mounted behind the grille, will the weight of this crack the fiberglass? It is a Rennsport FG tail...

Has anyone installed a fiberglass duck tail with AC? If so, have you seen any cracks?

I know the 'true Porsche' thing is to take away the AC, but don't want to; it's not a racer, not a DE, just my paperweight that I get to drive every once in an odd while, so no...am not going to remove the AC - for those who will offer that advice...

[Greek55]

The condenser is not attached to the tail but on the arms that hold the tail on. It does have a plate that attaches to the tail that keeps the condensor secure but really doesnt support any weight.
I dont think it is the true Porsche thing to take out the AC, however the AC are not that functional, especially before 1986. On any car that is tracked there is a need to lighten the car and the AC is a good place to start.

[jeffrey2]

Cool; i'm going to take a harder look at it tonight. Thanks Greek55.

[SXSMAN]

I haven't done it yet but the ducktail on mine is glass . I'm mounting the condensor on the tail . There is a product called Duramix that has many uses . Just not sure yet what I'll be using . ( Wood , metal , ? )


SxS

[4flyboy]

Don't let the "light boys" get to you, I'm contemplating the same mod. I'll take a cool cabin in the Cali. desert over weight savings. I'm most curious about the possibility of greater air flow over the condenser with a ducktail? Love to here how this works out for you!

[Greek55]

I sometimes put a Turbo tail from the early 70's on my car. The one with the 2 vents. The aircondition does get a little colder when the car is moving, especially on the highway or higer speeds. The car also runs a little cooler so I guess the tail pushes more air down through the condensor.

[Mattcamp]

It will work fine. Mount it up.

[TRE Cup]

The rennspeed tail is from AIR. So that means the support bar that the latch gets bolted to is just like the original lid. Reinforce this bar with a piece of aluminum sheet (1/8" thick wll do) pop riveted to the edges. This will lend more support to the structure with the a/c condenser attached

[SCWDP911]

sub'd. Need to mount mine one of these days...

[4flyboy]

Any reccomendations on a good quality Duck at reasonable price?
Do you like the fit/finish of yours Jeffrey2? What is Air?

[TRE Cup]

American International Racing = AIR

My $ is on the GT Racing and MA Shaw / Getty ducks for best fit and finish

the AIR piece is good for a budget job where you substitute labor getting it to fit vs. cost for part

[SCWDP911]

I have one that I am going to use, but would like to try and ID the manufacturer if possible. It was grey, and I think that was the gel coat color, but not positive. It does have the imbedded metal threaded hinge mounts (that's a mouthful)... Is there anyway at all to try and ID it at all?

[TRE Cup]

post a pic of the underside- that may help

[SCWDP911]

here are some pics. The last one is would be the underside of the left corner if lid was installed.

Thanks for the help...

[jeffrey2]

Originally posted by 4flyboy
Any reccomendations on a good quality Duck at reasonable price?
Do you like the fit/finish of yours Jeffrey2? What is Air?

Mine is black FG; already rough sanded, needs a quick coat of bondo; and boom, it'll be up for painting.

I would agree with MA SHAW tales as hi quality, and Gary (can't remember his Pelican name); but he makes them from your decklid...lots of choices; since this is merely for looks; not performance; i feel fg would accomplish the same goal.

I'll post pics of my AC condensor mounted once it's painted.

[TRE Cup]

V8 ranch- that is not a AIR or Getty part. And Hank does not use chopper gun on his GT parts either.
Not to knock you, but personally i would not use a part like that on a street car. May fit great and imho could be great for a racer

The good news is someone used the original duck tail as a model for the underside support. The bad news is that the support does not extend to the grille opening to lend a mount area for the center of the condenser (the way the factory did)
So with the condenser being mounted on each end on the lid hinges, you are faced with what to do with the middle to keep it from sagging/ rubbing on the alternator housing and coil.

Sonjay's parts (Gary Stratton) are in a different league . He is trying to replicate the way the factory put them together

[jeffrey2]

Update from the install. Dry fit; the major portion of the AC condensor does hang on the struts (not the tail); however, the clip in the front holds some of the weight, but not enough for me to worry.

Off to paint next week.

JMc