Plastic engine compartment

[Davvyjay]

I'm wondering if I removed the plastic engine cover, if the naked engine would look good. Has anyone done this? I got the idea from watching Overhaulin' (how great those classic cars look with all the guts showing). I've got nothing to look at! It seems like it'd be pretty simple to remove, but I'm not sure if I'd wreck the clips or not. I'd like to show off a V-8.

[Ski]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

I wonder if doing so would excerbate the COPS problem - more direct exposure to the elements?

[TBIRD03JOE]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

I have taken the cover off few times to clean but I think after
you see it you may just want to leave it on..
Its funny all those years of cars and seeing motors and now
covers and really don't mean anything to see motors..
They really don't have the meaning they use to have.
Those dual carbs,dist,chrome valve covers.air cleaners.ect.
What are they today...

[texasbird]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

I have a tendency to agree with tbird03joe. Today's engines aren't built for looks, as much as they are for an efficiency to horsepower ratio. However, if you're adding optional components to get the look you're wanting (CAI for example) then you might be able to create the look you're after. If you do it, be sure to post pics of the finished product.

As the cars age and rebuilds are required without the availability of OEM parts, I expect to see more aftermarket modifications being done, and maybe someone at least attempt to retrofit a 5.0 into the Tbird. I also find myself thinking why won't Ford create another 2-seat tbird off of the current Mustang platform, the way the retrobird was related to the Lincoln LS. Seems feasible to me at least.

James

[bronzebird]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

Dave:

the cover comes off very easily. Just turn out the two plastic screws at the front and (gently) pop up the back of the cover out of the connectors. They come loose with a little pressure.

I take mine off at most shows and just lean it up against my display rack that displays the information on the car.

I don't think it hurts to run the car with the cover off.... just don't get caught in the rain.

Bronzebird

[rmarshal]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

Well, you decide. Here's a 2002 without the cover. Maybe '03-05 are prettier?

[Leroy]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

Put the cover back on and leave it alone. Leroy

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[Davvyjay]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

Ugh! Fuggetaboutit! It sounded nice, though. V-8. Jaguar engine...

[BADOS]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

So that's it without the cover? What a disappointment.

[justjon]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

Oh ugh! I never want to see that again. It's going to give me nightmares! alien insides ..

[silver05]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

The 2002 looks different than yours. I know the 2005 is different. There is a guy here who took the cover off and modified the bracket for the cover. It doesn't look all that bad. The 2003 thru 2005 have more hp and look much different.

[scoops]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

Here's links to a couple of pics of my '04 with the engine shroud removed
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...3&d=1243737624
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...9&d=1243737085

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

For those with 03-05's. IF you add a CAI, you SHOULD take the cover off. it retains heat on the engine. The idea of the CAI is to improve more cool air flow. And, the 03-05's do look good, out from under wraps. (Unlike the 02's, which have a smaller plenum, that looks right, just where it is.) It will NOT effect your COP's, as they are enclosed in the valve covers.

[Lindy]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

Ol'Dave, you're both old, and wise. Seen it in another thread, that the cops have covers, sort ofm in lieu of valve covers. I agree, the 2003-05's do look good, without the vanity cover; Almost looks like some Corvettes, with that plenum exposed. If Ford would've tried harder, they could have left the intake exposed, maybe by using a cover similar to those in some Jaguars, and emblazoned the cops covers with the T-Bird logo. But the design is all water under the proverbial bridge.

Now I Know that the 2005 may not be a match for a 2005 Vett, but take the 6.0 liter out of the Vette and give it a 4.0L...ehemm...that's anopther topic.

[Allen P]

Re: Plastic engine compartment

Took mine off after COP problems . I have cold air intake and magnaflow's and I think the engine runs cooler . Have not removed the retainer brkts yet , but I like the look of the intake runners , Kinda reminds me of Kims '89 SHO .