Keeping the crap out

[mkiesow]

I'm wondering about how to best proceed with my build. I wish to begin with the wheel well close-outs, radiator inlet shrouding, door sill trimming, and overall body to chassis sealing. My short drives without these things in place has resulted in a lot of road debris in the engine compartment, trunk, and cockpit.

How big is the risk for fitting these components when the body position may need tweaking later by my painter? I can provide pics of the door latch to body relationship if that helps.

[John Ibele]

You can do two things that will make a huge difference in the cockpit. First, get some 2" x 2" air conditioning weather seal from your local Ace or big box like the stuff that comes with your kit to seal between the footboxes and the body ... only get the stuff without any adhesive on it (Frost King (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-2-1-4-in-x-2-1-4-in-x-42-in-Grey-Air-Conditioner-Weatherseal-AC43-14/100013157#overlay)). Jam it in between the body and the footbox on either side, as far down as you can go. It keeps heat out, but it also keeps out a whole lot of stuff from moving from the engine bay into the cockpit. You'll just replace this with the kit provided material when its time to put the body on for the last time, per the instructions.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097394042_669bb2d8cc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2oU32n5)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oU32n5) by John Ibele (https://www.flickr.com/photos/familycobra/), on Flickr

Make one of these for the front of the rear wheel well on each side, and attach them to the frame. You can use Clecos to hold them in place as long as they aren't in the way of your tires. Mine were just fine for 1500 mi. of driving this summer.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53123550724_a167604d44_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2oWm5Qm)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oWm5Qm) by John Ibele (https://www.flickr.com/photos/familycobra/), on Flickr

Up to you whether you want to put the additional panels in the wheel wells. I did in the rear, but not in the front. I figured I'd live with any slight change in body / frame relationship on final fit, figuring the panels with gasket material would still seal plenty well enough. I doubt the radiator surround panels will do much for you ... my guess is everything kicked up into your engine bay is coming from your tires, and very little in through the open grille in front of the radiator. Hope that helps.

[JohnK]

The foam insulation around the sides of the footboxes is critical not only to keeping debris out but also to keeping engine bay heat out of the cockpit. Glue it on with 3M Super 77 and leave it there permanently. It's far better than the kit-provided insulation. I put two layers of it on to get a good seal around the windshield posts.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177260&d=1672190956

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177261&d=1672190956

[CraigS]

Be careful that the insulation doesn't push the body out just ahead of the door. If it moves too much the door may start scraping the body right where is is super obvious.

[mrmustang]

Ziploc style baggies and low expansion spray foam. This allows all cracks to be sealed, and for the body to remain removable should the need arise.



Bill S.