Updates to the Hood Scoop  (November 10th, 1997)
 
 

Well, I got the mold completed, and now my first hood scoop.   With just a little work to it and some paint it will soon be complete.  I only wish I had the time around here to complete it quickly, but work must come first.  Now that have it on and have been running around with it on I have found out some new stuff about it.

 
 

Performance was good now that I have real have the weather to test it in.  And even better gas mileage. Why, here is my theory about it:

• With the new scoop I am forcing the air down the radiator and across the engine fan, so that fan does not have to work as hard to pull in the air.  I think if it was not for the fan while at speeds of 40 mph plus, air would be coming up and out of the radiator instead of down and in to the engine, this is due to the aerodynamics of the original hood.  At speeds 40 mph the air flow goes from the windshield to the front of the hood, and you can prove this by putting some strings on the hood, and watch what happens as you drive.
• The new scoop is also taking the air that once was hitting the top of the windshield, so now less air resistance is against front windshield.  I believe the noise level is now lower due to less air against the windshield.
In general, I feel I should see better gas mileage, cooler A/C, and cooler air flow across the engine.

I still have to get it painted, but first I need to sand down the corners and edges,  and get some small air bubbles filled in.
 

	Here how is looks at this time (Nov. 10th, 1997), Remember, it's still not complete.
	Side view, the hood scoop is level with the grounds, it is about 6 inches tall at the front of the scoop.
	I am thinking of adding some sort of wire grill to the scoop to help keep out the leaves and other trash..

July 17th 98, Update:

    Well over the winter time I had removed the hood scoop since it was not needed.  And only just in July I re-installed it before my trip to Uvalde Tx (July 4th 98) and with the temperatures at or about 100 deg f. outside now, it would be a good time to really test it.

    Well, only days before installing the scoop, Houston weather was up at 100 deg .f., on the highway, running full speed engine would run hotter then normal, but not by too much.  Gear shift lever and brake level would get hot to the touch, foot well was hot also.

    With the hood scoop installed, and on my trip to Uvalde, I found no longer did I have a hot gearshift & brake lever, but also a cooler foot well.  Engine never got above 190 deg F. (Normally operating temperature) while on the highway or on the trails while driving slow.  Very pleased with the operation of the hood scoop.  Now I need to go and get it painted.

October 31, 1998 Update:

    It's almost a year later and I finally got it painted. It's now glossy black and I have decided not install any screening but installed it over the original louvers. Looks great! See next page