Projects Ideas to put a steel cowl vent in a fiberglass 32 3 window

I have a fiberglass 32 3 window body and want to put in a steel cowl vent. Not sure how to install it. I was thinking of welding a lip on the bottom and then bond that to the underside of the body. The body is about 1/4 inch thick in that area. Also looking for a measurement how far from the front lip to put it. I thought I seen a picture with it marked 2 1/2 inches but I can't find it now.

 

Only do it if your have outside hinges , all about details either use all of them or none of them for me .

 

Projects - My '32 5 Window Project - Done and Cruising!!! | Page 10 | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)

LM14 did this, came out great. Great thread in all aspects. Miss him...

 

Steve's (LM14) cowl vent was part of his New Age body.

I fitted a steel cowl vent in my fiberglass 32-5 window. I bought a 32 roadster cowl top with the vent and all the bits from Brookville then had a local fiberglass guy who specialised in boat/yacht mods and repairs fit it. He routered out a recess in the cowl, cut the steel cowl vent area and some of the surround out, set it in the recess then glassed it in. Only took him a couple of hours.

In your case you will need something protruding from your recess/drain gutter to enable it to tie into your body when it is glassed in. The force needed to open a cowl vent is substantial so the structure needs to be very strong..
Good luck with your project.

 

When bonding dissimilar materials a "best possible" approach is needed.
Look into methacrylate adhesives, they are offered for a number of material combinations.

 

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

Sounds like an expensive exercise!

 

I don’t think welding it in with a fiberglass rod would work. I do like the add a flange idea with holes in it to grip.

 

2- 9/16s from lip of cowl
( hood Chanel)
to lip of lid opening of cowl
("" Not ""lid top its self)

Since Glass car & Glass cowl ,
Cut a large piece of cowl out ,
That way you can fit , flip , shape clamp ,ext & add structure , Then Glass back in

 

@HankAz are your cowl vent parts made of steel? If so your idea of a flange welded on the bottom then glassing it in from under the cowl may be the best solution, preferably with holes in the flange to help tie it in. Also who built your FG body and do they offer a cowl vent option - if so a talk with them may point you in the right direction. Actually I have seen Aussie made FG bodies with FG cowl vent lids, don't know about the gutter or the mechanism.
Do you have someone near you with a 32-3 window for the location details? Both my coupes are 5 windows and 3 window bodies are different in lots of areas. Do have a mate with a 3 window if you need help.

 

Here's the dimension, taken from my Brookville 3w. 2 1/2" from forward edge of cowl beam.

Agreed weld flange and use modern adhesive. Experience tells me glassing overhead in confined space isn't fun, and the right adhesive will be better in all respects.

Chris

 

Thanks again everyone. I bought this from an old timer who lost interest in it. It is a Superior body and from what I've read their building caught fire and burned down along with all the molds and they never rebuilt their fiberglass business. I have a rotisserie I'll put it on when I attach it from the bottom. I think I'm going to have to weld a flange around it.

 

^^^^ Yes add more flange to bond to cowl , the bigger the better
( strength and support)

 

Barry (ratrod0) installed the metal cowl vent in his glass coupe, send him a conversation, he did a great job. HRP