I have a set of the Vicky Brit plastic valences on my 77 Spit. They appear
to be made of thin (1/32nd inch or less?), flexible, textured PVC - but
could be ABS. Hard to tell in thin sheet form. They fit well, look good,
and do their job, BUT, they're a bit too thin. When I first installed them
they would vibrate LOUDLY at certain (engine) resonant frequencies.
Different areas of the valences would vibrate at different engine speeds -
even with a smoothly balanced engine. Eliminating one area/source of
vibration would likely create another resonant area at a different
frequency. Drove me nuts.
I glued thin strips of spring steel (1/16 x 1/4 x 12") along several long
edges to stiffen them, and used rubber grommets to put some tension between
the valences and nearby chassis parts. They're OK now.
So, if I were to make valences from scratch, I'd want a flexible material,
but stiff enough to span several feet without vibrating (much). Thicker PVC
(or ABS?) would do, as would many other plastics. I would probably avoid
plexiglas though. It has a tendency to warp easily when the opposite sides
are exposed to different environments - particularly temperature. It also
shrinks and grows in various environments, much like wood. Mounting holes
around the edges are likely to fracture with one side of the plexiglas
exposed to engine heat and the other side getting splashed on with cold
water.
3/32 - 1/8" aluminum would probably make terrific valences.
Marty Klein
50 MGTD - 1/4 daily driver
53 MGTD - undergoing complete restore
67 Austin Mini - 1/4 daily driver
77 Spitfire - 1/4 daily driver
92 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 - 1/4 daily driver
(It's great to pick my ride each day!)
drzzzz@csi.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Atwell Haines <carbuff@nac.net>
To: Laura Gharazeddine <Laura.G@141.com>; Douglas Braun & Nadia
Papakonstantinou <dougbert@rcn.com>; <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 1999 8:34 PM
Subject: Re: Plastic Engine Valences?
>
> At 10:27 AM 6/2/99 -0700, Laura G wrote:
> >
> >I've had 3 spits and just saw my first valances this past weekend. How
does
> >one check the oil? WHat is their function in life? Do I really need them?
> >(Like one needs bread and water or like one needs chocolate?)
>
>
> Laura,
>
> The front valences (surrounding the radiator) serve to direct cooling air
> flow towards the radiator...and they really do make a difference in the
> efficiency of the cooling system.
>
> The side valences surely just prevent water from splashing into the engine
> compartment, onto pesky electrical things like the alternator or
> distributor. They also support the wire harnessing and some of the
> emissions piping.
>
> Given the extreme force of rushing water I'm sure the notoriously cheap
> Triumph designers thought the valences were worth the expense. But then,
> they were not in sunny California like you. So who needs 'em?
>
> As far as checking the oil, once your eyes adjust to the darkness below,
> it's not so difficult to find where the dipstick goes... 8-)
>
> PS I'll take the Chocolate over the bread & water myself!
>
> Atwell "Sweet Tooth" Haines
> '79 Spitfire (fully valenced)
> Succasunna, NJ USA
>
> "When someone asks you, "A penny for your thoughts," and you put your two
> cents in, what happens to the other penny?"
>
>
>
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