Custom Panel Question..

[huzilulu]

I am considering putting a custom panel on the radiator area bulkhead - between the radiator and mastercylinder area to prevent air from heating up the cylinders/footwell.. also the panel will force most of the air out from the clam mesh opening.

I have seen some builds with this panel, but those were mostly added later on and so fitted with a few rivnuts, there by allowing removal without having to remove the radiator.

My question is - is there ever a need to remove this panel? Since I have just started the build and am doing the paneling now, I am thinking to just rivet the entire panel like all the others - can anyone think of a reason not to?

Thanks

[deadscoob]

Can't see why not if they're small. You'll still get heat going over it, so you could put a louvred panel in place of the floor battery panel. Also insulating matt/gold foil works well on the bulkhead and you can also insulate the inside for belt and braces.

[356Speedster]

deadscoob said:

Can't see why not if they're small. You'll still get heat going over it, so you could put a louvred panel in place of the floor battery panel. Also insulating matt/gold foil works well on the bulkhead and you can also insulate the inside for belt and braces.

I installed a removable panel last yr. Since then it's been off & back on numerous times! Once in place, there's not much access into the master cyl area, which makes working in that space a pain. For the sake of 60sces to remove the panel, it's worth doing as the access is so much better without it.

The other benefit of this panel, is less crud in the master cyl area to clean out all the while.

As DS say, other heat protections on the bulkhead work well, as does making the cockpit bulkhead double skinned with insulation in the middle of it. I have done all these things and I still found an incremental heat reduction by adding the removable panel too. Hope this helps.

[deadscoob]

Has anyone fully boxed this area?

[huzilulu]

If you keep it removable, how do you avoid vibrations/noise since the panel is not sealed all around with black goo?

[356Speedster]

huzilulu said:

If you keep it removable, how do you avoid vibrations/noise since the panel is not sealed all around with black goo?

I put some foam tape around the perimeter of the panel, job done, no vibrations!

I was thinking of adding some side panels too, but haven't got around to that yet.

[Graham-P]

I seem to remember that on 'UltimaCH' FB page Daniel has been kind enough to supply the measurements to knock up a couple of stiff rubber covers.

[pilbeam_mp62]

I attached mine with rivnuts.....you never know when you might want to take it out, and if you use lockwashers under the heads, it wont vibrate, and you can always use some thin rubber sheet under the panel against the chassis, if you want to.

[v8yes]

Just wondering what is the gain with having this pannel in the photo .

[v8yes]

Just wondering what is the gain with having this pannel in the photo .

[deadscoob]

Reduces heat soak by the rad is one benefit.

[macgtech]

Keeps things in the area where the master cylinders are clean too

[Storer]

I have fitted the panel and it does reduce road mess in the battery/brake cylinder area and the heat into the cabin a bit.
I didn't use rivnuts but used small stainless M4 bolts and tapped the chassis. It keeps the holes small so no issues on crash strength (heaven forbid). Thin rubber strip stuck to ally before fitting. It acts as a 'spring washer' to keep things tight and no rattle.


Paul

[UltimaCH]

Mine is riveted (without the use of the black sealant gunk) with the understanding that access to the master cylinders etc. will be more complicated. However if rheumatism doesn't attack my fingers and hands, I'll probably still be able to get in there without too much difficulty. Regarding panelling the sides, Mark in Malta made some alloy plates if I'm not mistaken. I made cardboard templates which I must have somewhere in the workshop.

[GtrMan]

UltimaCH said:

Mine is riveted (without the use of the black sealant gunk) with the understanding that access to the master cylinders etc. will be more complicated. However if rheumatism doesn't attack my fingers and hands, I'll probably still be able to get in there without too much difficulty. Regarding panelling the sides, Mark in Malta made some alloy plates if I'm not mistaken. I made cardboard templates which I must have somewhere in the workshop.

As Daniel quoted I covered the sides but in 3mm rubber plus alum support bolted with self tapping wurth screws.
link: https://www.facebook.com/130699937041653/photos/pb...

[GtrMan]

GtrMan said:

As Daniel quoted I covered the sides but in 3mm rubber plus alum support bolted with self tapping wurth screws.
link: https://www.facebook.com/130699937041653/photos/pb...

See also here :

https://www.facebook.com/130699937041653/photos/pb...

[V8Dom]

deadscoob said:

Has anyone fully boxed this area?

this is on my to do list this winter. my battery is now inside the car behind the passenger foot rest and the area you are talking about i am going to make into a waterproof storage area
it can be used for soft cloths etc, but will nearly be as big as one of the storeage bins

dom