New Product FS--Cowl Cover with Sticker(s) and Seal
07-20-2012, 11:41 AM
#121
Race Car
I took several of my new LHD Cowl Covers to OCIC last weekend and put them out on a table for display. They didn't draw much attention until someone bought one on Saturday and then when I installed it it seemed to draw more attention The result was that I ended up selling several of them. I also installed most or all of what I sold.
An interesting thing I learned about these covers from the installation in several cars, ranging from 82 to GTS, as I recall, was that the only variation in fit was the result of the firewall metal that these fit over along the front edge may be deflected foreward to rearward in various amounts which change the fit. The back edge of mine is a very close fit to the metal cowl trim just below the windshied (where all the originals are not), but if the firewall sheet metal is deflected any foreward it will still cause a slight gap in the rear of the new Cowl Cover.
One car, an 82 as I recall, had the firewall deflected so far back as to make the cowl space a good half inch too narrow. What we did we simply pull the firewall back out to its intended position, mostly by laying over the engine itself and simply pulling on the firewall. It bends back foreward very easily and then the cowl cover fit fine.
A few others had the firewall slightly foreward, so I suggested that the owner later remove the new cowl cover and the with a board to something long enough to reach, simply gently push the firewall back a slight amount then the New cowl cover will fit as intended with the rear closed cell foam seal snug against the metal cowl trim piece.
Thanks to all those who bought one of these new covers. I am sure they will work out just great.
I still think this component in the 928 is one of the least noticed items on the car. Everyone who hasn't bought one of mine needs one of these, but I think it is going to be some time for everyone to realize it.
They are still $70 plus $20 S&H. The Shell Stickers that are period correct are $5 each with the cover and installed, and the Cowl Seal is still $15. These prices are likely to stay this way until the present supply is exhausted. Probably even after that.
Jerry Feather
An interesting thing I learned about these covers from the installation in several cars, ranging from 82 to GTS, as I recall, was that the only variation in fit was the result of the firewall metal that these fit over along the front edge may be deflected foreward to rearward in various amounts which change the fit. The back edge of mine is a very close fit to the metal cowl trim just below the windshied (where all the originals are not), but if the firewall sheet metal is deflected any foreward it will still cause a slight gap in the rear of the new Cowl Cover.
One car, an 82 as I recall, had the firewall deflected so far back as to make the cowl space a good half inch too narrow. What we did we simply pull the firewall back out to its intended position, mostly by laying over the engine itself and simply pulling on the firewall. It bends back foreward very easily and then the cowl cover fit fine.
A few others had the firewall slightly foreward, so I suggested that the owner later remove the new cowl cover and the with a board to something long enough to reach, simply gently push the firewall back a slight amount then the New cowl cover will fit as intended with the rear closed cell foam seal snug against the metal cowl trim piece.
Thanks to all those who bought one of these new covers. I am sure they will work out just great.
I still think this component in the 928 is one of the least noticed items on the car. Everyone who hasn't bought one of mine needs one of these, but I think it is going to be some time for everyone to realize it.
They are still $70 plus $20 S&H. The Shell Stickers that are period correct are $5 each with the cover and installed, and the Cowl Seal is still $15. These prices are likely to stay this way until the present supply is exhausted. Probably even after that.
Jerry Feather
07-22-2012, 11:15 AM
#125
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Thread Starter
There will be a RHD version of these cowl covers and they too will be one with the cut-out for the bottle and one without. The one WITH will cover the S4 and GT cars and the one WITHOUT will apply to all the others, the OBs, the in betweens, and the GTS.
Just before I left for OCIC while I was working on things to get ready to take with me I did get a chance for a bare start on the conversion of one of the forms, and will be trying to do them both completely while I am trying to finalize the WW Liners and a couple of other things.
Don't give up hope.
Jerry Feather
Just before I left for OCIC while I was working on things to get ready to take with me I did get a chance for a bare start on the conversion of one of the forms, and will be trying to do them both completely while I am trying to finalize the WW Liners and a couple of other things.
Don't give up hope.
Jerry Feather
07-23-2012, 12:21 AM
#126
Advanced
Sounds great Jerry, and thanks again for considering the RHD market.
I posted way back on Page 3 and wanted to say i'm still subscribed to this thread and will 'hit the button' as soon as you're ready for S4 Cowl with cutout.
Cheers again,
Matt Hermans
'88 S4 Venice Blue
Sydney, Australia
I posted way back on Page 3 and wanted to say i'm still subscribed to this thread and will 'hit the button' as soon as you're ready for S4 Cowl with cutout.
Cheers again,
Matt Hermans
'88 S4 Venice Blue
Sydney, Australia
07-23-2012, 12:33 AM
#127
Rennlist Member
Jerry, Can I suggest you note down that an 83 RHD will need a hole cut to clear the wiper disc pickup that I found I needed for mine? It seems the wiper mpotor location changed between 83 and 84, to a lower and closer to the centre position. I am not sure if the 83 position is unique, or its the same going back to 78.
That aside, its a really good fit, looks MUCH better than the original, and should outlast the car.
jp 83 Euro S AT 54k
That aside, its a really good fit, looks MUCH better than the original, and should outlast the car.
jp 83 Euro S AT 54k
07-23-2012, 10:58 AM
#128
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Thread Starter
When I was at OCIC another thing I found about these cowl covers was that in the GTS the Cowl Cover has a patch of insulating material glued on the underside of the end of the cover where the washer bottle provision is but that is not cut out. The insulation looks like fiberglass and has a heavy foil cover over it. It is about 8 inches square.
When I was looking at various cars and their Cowl Covers I did notice one GTS in which the driver end of the Cover was deformed a bit apparently from heat. I didn't think much about it, but after I found the insulation on two or three GTSs that we installed the new Covers on I should have gone back and taken a picture of the deformed one.
There is something in the cowl area of the GTS that is generating a lot of heat and that is located in about the same position as the intensive washer bottle in the S4 and GT cars. Therefore, if you get one of these new Cowl Covers for the GTS you will need to remove the insulation and glue it onto the new one. Maybe I'll try to find something to replicate the insulation and provide it with the new Covers for the GTS.
When I was looking at various cars and their Cowl Covers I did notice one GTS in which the driver end of the Cover was deformed a bit apparently from heat. I didn't think much about it, but after I found the insulation on two or three GTSs that we installed the new Covers on I should have gone back and taken a picture of the deformed one.
There is something in the cowl area of the GTS that is generating a lot of heat and that is located in about the same position as the intensive washer bottle in the S4 and GT cars. Therefore, if you get one of these new Cowl Covers for the GTS you will need to remove the insulation and glue it onto the new one. Maybe I'll try to find something to replicate the insulation and provide it with the new Covers for the GTS.
07-23-2012, 11:03 AM
#129
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Thread Starter
Jerry, Can I suggest you note down that an 83 RHD will need a hole cut to clear the wiper disc pickup that I found I needed for mine? It seems the wiper mpotor location changed between 83 and 84, to a lower and closer to the centre position. I am not sure if the 83 position is unique, or its the same going back to 78.
That aside, its a really good fit, looks MUCH better than the original, and should outlast the car.
jp 83 Euro S AT 54k
That aside, its a really good fit, looks MUCH better than the original, and should outlast the car.
jp 83 Euro S AT 54k
I put two of these new covers in at OCIC in 82 cars. There was no interference with the WSW mechanism. It strikes me as very unsuaul that the RHD cars from 83 back would have a wiper mechanism that is different, other than oposite, from the LHD cars.
Can you post a picture of what you have and what you needed to do to allow for it?
Jerry Feather
07-23-2012, 12:30 PM
#130
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas!
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
4 Posts
Hi Jerry, in GTS the fan resistor pack was relocated to the outside of the cowl, I suspect this is what creates the need for the insulation.
BTW, on my car it's about 4x4 inches but rather thick and as you said, foil-covered.
BTW, on my car it's about 4x4 inches but rather thick and as you said, foil-covered.
07-25-2012, 05:18 PM
#131
Hi J. I looked back through this thread for a picture of the hole you made, but didn't see it. I guess I have only a mental picture of it from your description in what must have bee a PM exchange.
I put two of these new covers in at OCIC in 82 cars. There was no interference with the WSW mechanism. It strikes me as very unsuaul that the RHD cars from 83 back would have a wiper mechanism that is different, other than oposite, from the LHD cars.
Can you post a picture of what you have and what you needed to do to allow for it?
Jerry Feather
I put two of these new covers in at OCIC in 82 cars. There was no interference with the WSW mechanism. It strikes me as very unsuaul that the RHD cars from 83 back would have a wiper mechanism that is different, other than oposite, from the LHD cars.
Can you post a picture of what you have and what you needed to do to allow for it?
Jerry Feather
Looked at it with my good eye and it does not need the notch, the wiper arm is hitting the leading edge of the cover to the left of were the notch is at. I trimmed the edge and the cover will lift up but it will not pop.
Last edited by lonnie77; 07-25-2012 at 05:48 PM.
07-25-2012, 07:42 PM
#132
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Thread Starter
Lonnie, one thing that concerns me is that you must be very careful to put the back edge of the new cover into the three tabs that are spot welded to the car under the metal cowl trim strip. I have found that it is fairly tricky to get the back edge into the tabs. When you think you have the new cowl cover installed in the back, I suggest that you simply push down on the rear of the cowl cover and see if it will drop below the front odge of the metal cowl trim. If so, it is probably not into the tabs. Read the instructions again and follow my advise about making the tabs more "inviting" for the new Cowl Cover.
For the rest of you, again, I don't think the cars through about 83 had the tabs in the back. For those, you need to either devise some tabs that you might pop rivet onto the car in a couple of places, or you may find enough success in simply installing the cover and be sure that the fire wall sheet metal in front is pushed back enough to "load" the new cover against the metal trim piece at the back of the Cover. With the closed cell seal I have put on the back surface of the new Cover there may be enough friction to hold the back up much like the tabs are intended to do. This kind of success has been reported at least once in this thread, I think.
Jerry Feather
For the rest of you, again, I don't think the cars through about 83 had the tabs in the back. For those, you need to either devise some tabs that you might pop rivet onto the car in a couple of places, or you may find enough success in simply installing the cover and be sure that the fire wall sheet metal in front is pushed back enough to "load" the new cover against the metal trim piece at the back of the Cover. With the closed cell seal I have put on the back surface of the new Cover there may be enough friction to hold the back up much like the tabs are intended to do. This kind of success has been reported at least once in this thread, I think.
Jerry Feather
07-25-2012, 07:46 PM
#133
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Thread Starter
One other thought, Lonnie, it that you might show a picture of the new Cowl Cover installed--one that clearly shows the back edge of the new Cover in relation to the front surface of the metal cowl trim strip. There should essentially be no verticle flat surface of the metal cowl trim strip showing when the new Cowl Cover in properly installed. Let's have a look.
Jerry Feather
Jerry Feather
07-25-2012, 09:36 PM
#134
Rennlist Member
Jerry, I think I sent a pic (maybe privately from home pc), and some measurments of where the hole is for RHD 83 wiper clearance. I will check tonight and post data here. Smiffy in NZ sent me pics of his 84 RHD wiper motor location, and its definitely different - lower and closer to the centre.
Other older car owners should note that my 83 does NOT have the little tabs to support the rear of the cover that Jerry refers to, in case its an OB issue. The rear of my cover does stay up in place ok without them, if you lift the rear, and the front bulkhead is the correct distance from the windscreen base panel.
jp 83 Euro S AT 54k
Other older car owners should note that my 83 does NOT have the little tabs to support the rear of the cover that Jerry refers to, in case its an OB issue. The rear of my cover does stay up in place ok without them, if you lift the rear, and the front bulkhead is the correct distance from the windscreen base panel.
jp 83 Euro S AT 54k