Richard Ceraldi-ERC004 wrote:
>
> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 13:39:50 +1000
> From: Bill and Sal Birney <birneybs@onaustralia.com.au>
> Subject: GT6 engine and radiator valances
>
> Bill and Sal Birney Wrote:
> The discussion and info on the Spitfire valances has been great (I know
> have a pattern for the engine valances, which were never on our car!).
> I was wondering if there was someone out there who's got the same sort
> of
> info for the GT6?
> Our GT6+ hasn't got anything like these items (ie anything that some
> previous owner considered extra to the minimum required to run), so it
> would be great to make some up - especially for the radiator as we are
> about to add a hot 2ltr motor to the present mix that makes up this car!
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Bill and Sal Birney,
> I have a new set of the panels you are interested in. I used them to
> replace the rather old looking set I removed from my car over 20 years
> ago.
> After putting them on for a concours I remembered why I removed them.
> They
> funnel more hot air than you ever need to deal with into the car. I had
> insulated my gearbox cover and firewall yeas back and the interior was
> bearable. But not any longer. If they weren't such a pain to put on I
> would
> leave them in the garage until a show that matters.
> They will also make it very difficult to remove the oil filter when
> changing oil. My old set had the area by the filter cut off to allow
> access.
> And if you are tall forget the legroom you had when sitting on the tyre
> working on the engine.
> The only one I think is worth having is the one that fits in front of
> the
> radiator. The rest are for getting points at the show and are worthless
> pains
> in the @$$ for everyday use and maintenance .
> So unless you are doing the concourse circuit save your time and
> money and
> invest it in upgrading the radiator core to keep that engine (and
> yourself
> indirectly) cool.
> Any other GT6 owners care to comment on the value of these?
> Best of luck,
> Richard Ceraldi
> 71 GT6 MKIII KF166L
I'm sure you're right about that, Rich. The PO of my GT6 used an
aluminum box rail to fashion a valence rail around the engine, painted
it black, and it looks virtually stock. Quite convenient for routing
wiring for add-ons such as elec. ignition and an electric fan.
I'm also missing the front rad. cowling, and have been contemplating
making one up from aluminum sheet so as to ram cold air in, and keep
hot air out. If anyone has done this, I'd like to hear about it ...
--
Martin Secrest
73 GT6
72 TR6
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