Engine Tin holes...and engine heat ???

[CHA914]

Hey guys,

well, my new engine is on its way and I want to get the engine bay ready to slap it in...howeve, my car at one time had AC and so there is a big hole under the battery tray where the compressor used to be (plus the usual rust bug took alittle more away) I have cleaned up the rust parts, and I really dont want to pay for welding in a new shelf right there...so what are the possible solutions?

Couldn't I just fab a sheetmetal cover piece that would tie into the stock sheetmetal and go all the way to the wall?

The main function of the sheetmetal is to keep the heat made from under the car getting pulled back into the engine right?

Also, I will be running a hunter header, are using those heat wraps worth it? and if so would 50ft be enough to cover all 4pipes?

Thanks guys,

Tony

[URY914]

The answer to all your questions is yes. The sheet metal keeps the hot air under the car and the cooler intake air above the engine. The exhaust wrap really does work and 50' will do a header.

[maf 914]

Most articles I've read seems to indicate that heat wrap does improve performance a little, plus reduce heat transfer back to the engine, which is good too. One negative thing I've read is that the wrap will shorten the life of a header. The article didn't elaborate, so I don't know it the increased heat affects the metal or if the wrap somehow promotes corrosion. Has anyone else heard of this drawback. Is it a legitimate concern?

Mike

[Joe Ricard]

But If you have Stainless it will only take a little longer to notice.
Remember that you could also put come kind of cover over the ducting holes in the tin. Make sure all the little pieces are straight and fit snug. Took me awhile banging bending and TIG welding.

[CHA914]

Well, I am not too worried about the pipes, they are already coated and they are not a long term solution anyway

As far as the holes in the tin...the engine tin itself is in good shape, fits snug and all that, its the engine shelf that the tin ties to that has a big hole in it from the compressor, and rust. I have the rust taken care of, but rather than weld a new shelf in, I want to just fab a sheet metal piece that will tie into the engine tin and then go all the way over to the wall below the battery tray. Will this be a viable solution?

Thanks,

Tony

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Sounds viable to me. As long as none of the load-bearing parts of the chassis are compromised, you should be OK. Just make sure that all the rust is really gone, or you'll have to keep chasing this particular demon... Ospho, Naval Jelly, and other such things are your friend in this. POR-15, too, once you've gotten the actual rust taken care of. It can help you keep it from coming back.

--DD

[CHA914]

Yea, the next few days before the engine goes in are going to be spent sitting in the engine bay with my power tools and por15 :P

The suspension console is fine the rust just took part of that shelf above it...and I think the AC install helped with that.

Thanks guys,

Tony