cogzoid
Member since Jun-15-08
201 posts (Keeps a clean machine)
Nov-03-10, 02:57 PM (PST)
"Weatherproofing the Spitfire"
As the rainy season approaches Southern California, I thought that it would make sense to seal up some leaks in my vehicle. I need to install the seals on the hardtop, but that's straight forward. I'm scratching my head on how to deal with the fresh air intake on the hood of the car. It seems to me that the water would go through the louvers and fall into the box built into the firewall. From there it looks like the water would either go into the cab, or onto my motor. Water on the motor is actually not a big deal, but it just seems like a bad design. Doesn't it rain in England? Am I missing something?
Of course, I don't plan on leaving my car out in the rain for too long, but who knows if I get caught in some showers.
Joe Curry
Member since Oct-20-03
1328 posts (An "official" TTN Senior Wrangler)
Nov-03-10, 05:33 PM (PST)
1. "RE: Weatherproofing the Spitfire"
In response to message #0
The air box is sealed when the heater core is installed. Since you are not using any liquid coolant, you certainly don't need the hearter core. But you might want to have the fan there to move air so that you can have a defogger. You could rig up some sort of electric unit to take care of that.
But on the water getting into the car issue, not to worry, as long as you have the holes in the firewall sealed, any water running down into the air box will drain through the hole in the lower left side of the box. On very early cars, there was a tube that extencs forward and a curved rubber gaiter that allows it to drain downward ahead of the ledge of the firewall.
On later cars that tube was removed and instead, a rubber flap covers the hole that was left. So the water drains onto the ledge and hopefully will run off. So you have to make sure you seal any holes on the upper part of the ledge to keep any water from running into the cockpit.
cogzoid
Member since Jun-15-08
201 posts (Keeps a clean machine)
Nov-03-10, 11:55 PM (PST)
4. "RE: Weatherproofing the Spitfire"
In response to message #2
Thanks for the help. The water would pour out just a little too close to some of the high voltage and associated electronics for comfort. It would probably be OK, but it's worth working on an ounce of prevention. I'm going to try the tube technique.
Eventually the plans are to utilize a heating element from a space heater for a hot air solution. Both for defrosting and the comfort of the passengers. I never got around to the heated seats like I thought about. But, with winter coming, I'll definitely need something. One good thing about electric heaters is that they warm up in a jiffy. No waiting around for the thermostat to open up.
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John Zissler