Hot Rods Am I old fashioned?

Charles Kettering once said that missing parts cost nothing and cause no service problems, but he might not have been thinking about that trans cover...

 

I have always run one. Always put it back on if I took it off. Never owned a vehicle that didn't have one or come with one I guess. Always figured there was a reason for them to be there.

 

I always put everything back where it belongs. This kind of reminds me of how many small blocks I see when I go to car shows that are missing that front bracket that goes on the starter to the block. Or the heat shields on early small blocks over the spark plugs below the exhaust manifolds.

 

With the cover on, you can't use a baseball card and a clothes pin against the flywheel teeth for that "cool bicycle sound"

 

I was working on my '48 last weekend and had my cover off. While it was running, I shifted something and the emergency brake cable 'popped' over into the flywheel teeth.... It was fine but startled me. Would hate to have that hit something going down the road

 

Someone needs to start a thread about painting the inside of the cover...

 

If you have a leaky rear main seal it guides it to the hole on the bottom, makes for smaller cardboard on the garage floor.

 

I always kept them on to prevent me from from having fingers or clothes get caught on a flywheel....I believe they are there for safety purposes ....I wish there was an easy way to cover the belt on my blower....

 

If I see a car for sale with them missing I get wondering what else has been left of the car.

 

When the original covers aren't available or made of "unobtainiun" I've seen some that looked pretty easily fabricated from expanded metal. Real metal, not the aluminum screen door stuff.

Seen blower belt guards made the same way.

 

Am I old fashioned? why yes, yes I am!
It was a dark day when GM's inventory of metal flywheel covers and shields dried up.

 

Gee, if I had a cover I'd do that. I'm putting a drivetrain together for a Model A sedan using a 425 nailhead, flywheel/bellhousing/etc., and T-10. All sourced from different places. Like most, the cover wasn't included. Anyone know where I can find one? Here's a crude sketch of the dimensions taken from the bottom of the bellhousing:

If I can't find an original sheet metal one I may have to go this route.

I have several SBC torque convertor covers I'd gladly trade for one nailhead flywheel cover.

 

I made one from a piece of 1/8” aluminum sheet, took a half hour to cut and drill.

 

I recall having trouble finding one for the 200 4R after putting it in our 50 Chevy but finally did. Just feels and looks better.

 

I picked up a chrome one after a guy left it laying in the middle of the road after laying down some rubber . It’s made a nice wall hanger . But if a part is missing it drives me crazy.

 

I don't think that I have ever had one on thee 48. Not by intent because I have bought a few that were supposed to fit but keep getting skunked on finding one that does fit.

 

I have a few of the 2 piece ones for the early inline Chev/GMC’s. When I uses conversion plate (Buffalo Entrrprises)and use a scatter shield I make aluminum flat plates to cover the back side of the flywheel. Just makes sense to me.

 

I have one for the Model A. But that cheap Chinese turd doesn't fit worth a damn. I'm gambling that the flywheel being a foot off the ground and directly behind a deep sump pan is enough protection. Keep me in your prayers.

 

There's a lot of plastic ones also. Eighties I believe.

 

I decided to "go commando" on my racer and didn't put it on. Being in the pits at Detroit Dragway changed my mind. We didn't call it "The Dirty D" for nuthin...

 

I didn't realize not putting one on was even an option so I guess I just always used them.

But, now you have me feeling rebellious....

 

I've got 3 or 4 of 'em & none fit my car... as soon as I find one that fits, I'll run it "cause it's s'pose ta be there.

 

I use them. If I didn't it would be one more item to store, and I have enough stored "treasures".

Jon.

 

Whenever I see a build without a cover (or other 'obvious' guards, shields, covers, whatever), it causes me to be looking for more shortcuts that have been taken. Detroit wouldn't 'waste' money if they weren't needed.

 

Are you old fashioned??? Yes. That's why you are on the HAMB in the first place.