Side fender Louvers

[vette]

Is there any down side to installing those angled louvers on a street car. I'm thinking debris in all the wrong places or back currents that you might not want to live with in a daily driver.
Thanks, Dave.

 

[Keoke]

Is there any down side to installing those angled louvers on a street car?



Yep,Dave- They just ugly as sin----Keoke-- :laugh:

 

[HealeyPassion]

Keoke, now now... beauty is in the eye of the beholder... and to my eye the side vents, when properly done, enhance the look. Of course, I have seen them done badly and then they can be ugly. But, for me, growing up looking at Works Rally cars take on the European rallies they had a special appeal.. the Works cars ..purposeful, tough, hairy chested cars... ran them and I loved them.

Dave, I have them on my car and have not seen a downside. As Keoke, subtly points out, they can detract if not done properly (I think that's what he was saying )... and on that note, I've seen as many done poorly as those done well. Unless you have an engine leaking fluids that could work there way to the vents I can't imagine a issue. Healey's have alot of under hood heat that is just screaming to get out... so why not let it out :thumbsup: !!

Here is how I did mine Works Rally side vent project

Cheers,
Steve
https://stevesaustinhealey.com

 

[vette]

Thanks guys. I understand both your points of view, that's why I asked the question.
Steve, you did a super job on yours. That's the way I think they should be done. But your pictures show me that they are considerably larger that I thought. I have never seen them in real life. The advantage of evacuating heat is important that is why I am considering it. Not sure about the size. Not sure I want to go to such an unoriginal appearance, even though they are works designs.
Thanks for the info, it gave me a good perspective.

Dave.

 

[HealeyPassion]

Dave, mine are actually smaller than most... why?... because Kilmartin sells them and they were 1" bigger than the Pat Moss Works Rally car that I took a rubbing from ... so I cut the Kilmartin's down 1" and recontoured them slightly to match Pat Moss's.

Cheers,
Steve
https://stevesaustinhealey.com

 

[Keoke]

Well that helped a little bit Steve.
It is still a kiny nice looking car though--Keoke-- :laugh:

 

[Lin]

Having seen Steve's side vents first hand, I think they look quite nice. As with everything Steve does, the installation was extremely well thought out and executed.

Lin

 

[Frankenhealey]

I think I read somewhere that both Donald and Geoff didn't think much to their efficacy. I had them on my 'mild' BJ8 rally replica and think they at least look good.

Needing all the heat loss possible on the Chevy 100 we went for something a little different while still replicating the original shape.

A homage if you so wish

A darn sight easier to install, doesn't look too bad and still vents heat.

 

[RAC68]

Although I happen to like the look of the side vent and believe it allows the relief of the traditional engine compartment high pressure buildup at speed, I found an alternative method of improving air flow through the engine compartment (EC) without cutting the fenders or foot wells. As mentioned in previous posts, the installation of a simple panel on the bottom of the forward 1/3 of the EC frame supplemented by a soft panel covering the lower third of the bottom radiator tank and extending to this EC panel, high pressure is stopped from developing within the EC at speed. With these panels installed, air moves more freely through the radiator and compartment with extraction assisted by the low pressure created at the following edge of the EC panel. Also, these panels can be easily removed.

The result, similar to hood louvers or fender vents, no gradual temperature rise at speed with no obvious modifications. Keep in mind that vents and louvers help to eliminate a high pressure blocking buildup within the EC at speed and do little or nothing to reduce heat at slow or no speed.

All the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[Lin]

Hi Ray,
Got some photos?
Lin

 

[RAC68]

Hi Lin,

The purpose of these panels is to eliminate air intrusion from between the radiator and frame and from below the frame that forms a buildup of radiator-blocking high pressure within the engine compartment. With these panels installed, air is directed well past the front 1/3rd of the engine compartment and further assists radiator air flow by developing a low pressure extraction zone at the following edge of the panel.

The following pics show the installation of 3 panels. The forward one (not necessary) extends from the shroud to just before the lower radiator tank. The soft panel (made from carpet runner) extends from the front panel and over the lower radiator tank to the engine compartment panel. The last panel attaches to the bottom of the frame and cross member and extend to around 6” forward of the crankcase.

All panels were painted black to be unnoticed.

Hope this helps,
Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[Lin]

Ray,
Thanks for sharing!
Lin