Hood Louvers?

[Hedgehog]

What do you guys think about hood louvers? After some searching and some reading it appears that specific hood louvers or vents aren't available for CJ's. However there are some really cool universal marine louvers available.

The idea seems viable. In the desert SW the ability to have a cooler engine compartment along with the possibility to have the carb draw potentially cooler outside air appeals to me. Any input would be of interest.

 

[somedude922]

I have two on my hood. It's necessary to keep my 360 cool in Texas. They do make a difference.

 

[Hedgehog]

Well, I did some internet searching, but neglected to do a forum search here.
There are a few threads on the subject, even BusaDave already has the very same louvers I was looking at.

If you've added louvers have you any insite into the you didn't have before? Would you do it again?

SomeDude - Do you have any pictures?

 

[Torxhead]

There is a tool available to cut some on your hood. Maybe you could find a local custom hot rod shop to put some in. Although you might be better off with improved cooling system componets. Even going as far as an oil cooler on the engine.

 

[somedude922]

 

[Hedgehog]

Didn't say I was having cooling troubles, the engine cools just fine. This is more of a preventative thought than anything else and I like the idea of having cooler air under the hood.

I would install the louvers myself. Don't need no stinkin' hot rod shop ..... more like I can't afford no stinkin' hot rod shop.


Some Dude - Looks good, you clipped some of your birds wings, but it look good.

 

[somedude922]

Jig saw and a rivet gun. That's all I used.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Have one on mine.
Dropped under hood temps almost 50*.
Mine is installed towards the back of the hood.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Grits - come on man you know the drill, now I need pictures.

 

[Old Dog]

Since you saw Dave's I'm sure you also saw mine (like somedude's only plain alum.)
They do let a lot of heat out from under the hood.

 

[mstar]

I guess there is two ways to go here.I have individual louvers on the hood of my pickup(110 to be exact) .With this you would have to re-paint.The rivited panel with premade vents seems ok for a jeep project. Both have the issue of water running onto engine bay when washing or rain storm.
Our 1970 VW has louvers on hood (or whatever that thing in the back is)
and had a shield to divert water away from the engine.Good idea but it had to go to clear Weber carbs. They do remove a lot of heat from engine bay. Down side is messy when washing vehicle.mike

 

[somedude922]

I've never had any water problems with mine. They do aim back towards the windshield but I don't drive much in rain. When we even get it.

 

[Hedgehog]

Water ..... That would be a problem, it sort of excludes using them for engine fresh intake air. The marine louvers can be fitted with a collector box, I'd considered dropping them into the air intake hornes on my air filter. But I suppose boats would have water as a consideration too.

Installation does seem simple enough. A few minutes with a tape and marker, a few minutes with a drill, a few minutes with a metal cutting tool of some sort and done!

 

[mstar]

When I mentioned water it was more of a cosmetic thing getting water spots on the chrome and polished alum. .Not really a problem and no worry about water while driving as it mostly lets air exit from under hood.
I would tape off the area to be cut with masking tape and mark
lines then cut with die grinder and thin cut-off wheel.Deburr and paint edges,drill holes and again deburr and paint bare metal then rivit away.
Just did this type of operation on my wifes mustang for a hood scoop.

 

[gutthans]

Here's what I have adopted on mine...





I've had the 'marine' ABS side vents for some time...easy to rig up. Just finished the new hood with top vents...after I noted that the glass hood holds a little more heat than the original steel one did.

 

[Hedgehog]

Guttans - Love the side vents, was thinking about doing the very same thing. Will probably go with the SS versions. Problem is I can't stand the idea of something that shinny on my rig. Will paint them black or possibly green. I like the idea of them being seen but not stand out.

The hood scoop/vent is outstanding in it's coolness, I'm itchin' to try it. Unfortunately I'd run out of man juice before cutting. ...... Honestly it wouldn't be the cutting that would slow me down, it's the finishing.

Is there any reason paint wouldn't stick to stainless steel? With a little prepaint scuffing I can't see why there would be a problem, but I don't paint very much stainless steel.


mstar - I agree with your process list except: I would drill the holes first for the added support of a hood without a great big hole in it. Then cut away. For complete disclosure, this was pointed out in another thread, possibly on another forum, I'm just parroting what apears to be good advice.

 

[Torxhead]

Hedgehog, how about a sandblast finish on that stainless, w/o the paint? I have access to a blaster and when I do use it I clean the surface with WD-40 and it keeps a pretty good finish. If you want to paint it, I would think the blasted surface would hold the paint on.

 

[Hedgehog]

A sand blasted finish on stainless is interesting. I built a 45ACP comp gun using some stainless steel parts. The stainless didn't look right so when having the gun nickel plated I asked the plater to hit the parts with his sand (true sand) blaster. Man what a difference, the metal went from a dull polished look to a dark gray pewter look.

 

[Torxhead]

Yeah, I forgot about the sand type. I go with an aluminum oxide blast first, then a glass bead finish. The finish is quite sensitive afterwards, even to fingerprints, thats why I use WD-40 or paint it.

 

[gutthans]

Side vents are a simple trace cut out with a B&D jig saw



Top vents are made from a template then traced onto the glass and rough cut by B&D, Finish is done with a Dremel sanding barrel. Backside is cleaned up for a bead of RTV silicone for the plastic vent material to stick to.