functional '66 Chevelle SS hood inserts

[BobB66SS]

With the 461 big block, its aluminum components, headers, lowered stance (and my heavy right foot), there's always been a ton of heat trapped under the hood of my car. The aluminum radiator and electric fans have worked great keeping the motor at the proper temps but I always thought if those cosmetic inserts in the hood of a '66 Chevelle SS were functional, they'd allow at least some of the heat to escape.

So, now they are.

I'll have to wait for warmer weather to see just what effect this has but as you can see from the under hood pic taken with no flash, there's certainly reason to believe it'll let some heat out. The car's been wet exactly once since I've owned it so I'm not really worried about water intrusion.

[Yelcamino]

Nice job! It looks like a lot of heat will be able to escape now!

[Bryce]

that will make a huge difference. When I put on my teardrop hood with the huge vents in the back my engine compartment temps dropped 20*F

[Motown 454]

Thats a sweet idea . It looks great.

[jon72vega]

Nice Job!
That looks good.

[BobB66SS]

Thanks, guys, appreciate the comments. To some extent I think these changes come about from living in a climate where you have 4-5 months every year when your car is stuck in the garage, and you get jonesing for something car-related to do!

[Jim Nilsen]

Before you know it you will be making a box to make your engine suck air through them which will lower intake temps and may also cool the engine in a better way.

Nice job and a good start to a functional cowl hood type setup.

[rockytopper]

Or you could ram air thru the front lights and really cool things down.
http://www.ramairbox.com/product.html

[kevinakeirstead]

How did you do this would you help me I’m currently trying to make use out of my louvers because the inserts don’t do anything. It would you be willing to make those same working inserts and sell them?