Paul - while the bottom of the engine bay is open - I can tell you (for me) riding around in the HOT ROD during the power tour that heat does tend to get "stuck" in the engine compartment since the air going through the rad - also hot.... it got bad enough for the boys 100+ out for 4-5 hours - that they put the hot rod in the trailer and jumped in the roadster.... my 427W truck was pretty warm as well.... again might ask over on the HOTROD forum and see what people think over there - since most people don't run full fenders the pool of info is quite small.... more food for thought.