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07-01-2016, 03:57 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 55
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Got Hood Louvers Molded into Hood
So, after running high temps and doing research here, I decided to get some RunCool louvers. I don't know exactly the ECT difference since I don't have a way to monitor but just took Hercules on a five day journey through Central Oregon and they worked like a charm. Transmission fan kicked on a few times on the climb up to Crater Lake and again in the Steens but the engine stayed cool. Noticeable drop on the temp gauge.
I wanted a more stock looking hood so I took the louvers to a local body shop. They used panel bonder to "blend" the edges of the louvers to the hood and repainted the whole hood which needed it anyway. I really like the atheistics and function of the new hood.
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07-01-2016, 04:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco/Nevada City
Posts: 3,769
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Love it. I might do that to mine!
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07-01-2016, 04:20 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 468
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That looks great. I was thinking I could get a fiberglass person to do something similar, but with fiberglass.
__________________
TexGX
2003 7.3PSD RB50 Quigley (The Yeti)
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=13220
2006 Casita (Makes it a three bedroom 1 and 1/2 bath)
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07-01-2016, 04:37 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 55
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Thanks guys! I am really happy on how the project turned out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TexGX
That looks great. I was thinking I could get a fiberglass person to do something similar, but with fiberglass.
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The body shop recommended using "panel bonder". I hadn't heard of it but they said many new cars are assembled with it instead of welding. Including the F-150. Maybe someone on here has more info.
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07-01-2016, 05:08 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon Ciry Oregon
Posts: 2,854
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Looks nice and discrete.
__________________
Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.
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07-01-2016, 09:37 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 792
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Those look great. Super clean. I notice you have a 6.0. Does anyone know if louvers are necessary for a 7.3?
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07-01-2016, 09:51 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteelheadJones
Those look great. Super clean. I notice you have a 6.0. Does anyone know if louvers are necessary for a 7.3?
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I can only imagine the louvers would help to alleviate heat on a 7.3 also. I had to think about a while, but there is no where for the heat to go in the engine compartment. Air comes in through the radiator/grill and then where? Giving the hood spaces for the air to flow only makes since to me. After driving and shutting down the motor, I could barely hold my hand over the louver vents for a few seconds. Also the cabin feels cooler.
These are only my opinions after the first outing with the louvers in the hood. Hope this helps.
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07-01-2016, 09:53 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco/Nevada City
Posts: 3,769
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteelheadJones
Those look great. Super clean. I notice you have a 6.0. Does anyone know if louvers are necessary for a 7.3?
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I put them on mine, trying to bring down temperatures. I didn't notice a significant drop, but maybe a bit.
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07-02-2016, 09:09 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,244
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Years ago, on VW bugs we would put spacers under the hood hinge bolts which held the hood up a bit allowing lots more air movement. I wonder if something like that would improve air flow? It would be easy to test and reverse if needed.
__________________
Arctic Traveller
KC6TNI
2001 GTRV
Advanced 4wd
Agile Ride improvement package
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07-16-2016, 12:28 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 71
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I'm a new van-er, but I'm a VW guy, and familiar with the decklid space-out trick as well. I did a similar thing on a few of my Toyota rockcrawlers, because you have very low speeds and high loads. I used spacers at the hinge bolts, spacing up the back of the hood, giving another exit for heat while moving slow or parked - reduced vapor lock quite a bit on one of them. At speed it allowed cool air in, like cowl induction. I think the vents can only help. Any concern about water entry?
__________________
Classic European Cars and Parts
-Vintage look lights, Seats, Wheels, More
www.greggearhead.com
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