Foot Box Vents

Wayne Maybury · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2002, 01:26 PM

I noticed last summer that the foot boxes got uncomfortably hot if the temperature was over 75 or 80. I decided to pull the engine out of the car so as to be able to cover the footboxes with aluminium. This will serve two purposes, 1. they should look really good and 2. I am hoping the aluminium will cut down the heat transfered into the foot boxes. I have foil covered 1/4" foam insulation on the foot boxes now so the aluminium will be applied over the foam insulation.

After looking at some photos of several different Cobras, I realized that it would be relatively easy for me to run fresh air vents to the foot boxes. Now my problem. What type of trap / shutoff / whatever it's called is available to connect the tubing to the foot box and to shut off the air flow when it is not required. I figure that I will probably use 3" flexible duct hose so I will require 3" traps. I have thought about trying to make them myself but there must be something available. It will be a lot easier to do this job while the engine is out of the car.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Wayne

DavidWard · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2002, 01:56 PM

Go to www.mcmastercarr.com and search their site for blast gates. Some people have used these on street rods.

David

CCX33911 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2002, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidWard
Go to www.mcmastercarr.com and search their site for blast gates. Some people have used these on street rods.

David

Cobra Restorers sells reprodutions of the original system. It is shown in their catalog, but I remeber it being rather expensive. I have photos (non digital) somewhere that show the original layout, etc.

ST · #4 (**permalink**) 01-03-2002, 04:12 PM

Check the E.R.A site. They have a few details and photos.

cobra427hp · #5 (**permalink**) 01-03-2002, 09:59 PM

Cobra Restorers and ERA both offer original style air vents.

Bud Man · #6 (**permalink**) 01-03-2002, 10:15 PM

Try Kirkham Motorsports

Bud

Wayne Maybury · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2002, 07:00 AM

David

I looked at those but they are "gate" style and I was hoping to use a butterfly style. While they would work, I don't think they would look too good on a Cobra since they will be easy to see.

I will check the other sources listed but I am not too worried about originality and I would like to try and keep the cost down, if possible.

Anybody else out there that has done this for a reasonable cost?

Thanks,
Wayne

SuperHart · #8 (**permalink**) 01-27-2002, 05:50 PM

Hey, Wayne. Check out my cobra website http://members.home.com/superhart/cobra.htm. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see what I am doing for fresh air vents. The vent assemblies will be mounted on top of the footboxes but will be pretty well out of site tucked up under the fender above the side louvers. The units are not mounted as yet but I have photos posted of the vent assemblies so you can see what I am doing. If I had purchased Cobra Restorers parts I would have spent nearly $550. My total outlay thus far is around $50. I know I am using 2 1/2" duct rather than 3 1/4" like Cobra Restorers but you would be surprised at how much air a 2 1/2" duct can flow.

CCX33911 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-27-2002, 09:13 PM

I would love to see photos of what the hose mounts to on each end. Sounds like you went to the two openings in the front of the car (used in the comp cars for front brake cooling).

Looks good. I will probably go with this setup

Wayne Maybury · #10 (**permalink**) 01-30-2002, 01:11 PM

SuperHart

Thanks for the reply. I will keep it in mind if my present idea doesn't work out.

Here is what I am now trying. The main problem I had was the shutoff valve. I looked at ERA and Cobra Restorers who both have very nice products but I didn't want to spend that amount of money. A friend came up with the idea of using a throttle body from a late model fuel injection system. I now have one from a Mustang 5.0 that I have cleaned up and I have trial fitted on the foot box. I have not yet drilled any holes but I hope to get to that point in a few days. The throttle body is great since it is about the correct size and the butterfly valve works great. All I have to do is hook up a choke cable and a length of 2 1/2" duct to the front air inlets and I should be in business. Of course I will need one setup for each foot box. I will let you know if this setup works out or not.

Thanks again,
Wayne