Ok, so my roommate did the work, but I took the pics lol. Anyway, not bad for the first time I dont think...(This will take two posts) Here we go...taking measurements first (BTW this was done on a parts car hood) ...no turning back now! The cuts have been made..(using a couple of rulers to hold the cut part down... wooden blocks (!)...you'll see... making the openings on the blocks... ahhh...already beginning to take shape! ...more in a minute...
IP: Logged
09:20 PM
PFF
System Bot
My7Fieros Member
Posts: 3357 From: Germantown, TN Registered: Jun 2000
...glassing in the underside ...underside again... ...applying the "kitty hair" filler...this is the time consuming part Unfortunantly I didnt take anymore pics of the work..but after the last pic, we sanded more, then painted. A black screen was then added to the openings... Sorry for the bad pics, but its all Ive got.. Thanks to Oreif actually, we got the idea after seeing his car while we were in Chicago!
Ok for the fine details.... The project is finished..in fact, its been finished for a while, just found the pics lol. The last pic is of it complete, but for some reason the pic is bad quality..I'll take some better ones tomorrow and post them here.... I had a feeling the wooden blocks would be an issue, but they are treated, covered with the filler, then covered with the glass, then primed, then painted, then cleared..they should be fine. I'll have to dig up the measurements, but I'll get them to those of you who asked. I almost forgot, the "trunk" area (where the spare is) was a slight prob...we just pulled up the weather stripping along the front side of it and used a metal nibbler to cut out a small area across the top, less than 1/4 of an inch, then put the weather stripping back on...you would never notice, since there is already a slight "drop" along the front side anyway...I'll get pics of that to. After the project was completed, we sprayed the underside of the hood where it was glassed w/ that black rubberized (wheelwell) paint, just for added measure. The water just falls through when it rains, doesnt hurt anything...like I said, this project has actually been completed for a while, I just now found the pics, and no probs anywhere. All in all it was really a pretty easy project, just alittle time consuming on the filler, not to mention we didnt mix the glassing properly and it took nearly a week for it to cure! The car has been at Ed Parks for a while, and I just got it back, so I'll take some better pics tomorrow of the completed scoop on the car and post them here. Thanx for the interest.
[This message has been edited by My7Fieros (edited 03-13-2002).]
THIS is EXACTLY why this forum is so addictive! One Fiero Owner showing his pride in his Fiero with all others while holding nothing back, showing step by step how to improve and modify their respective pride and joy. Should I ever decide to modify my hood, I will know exactly where to go to get the best help and advice with the project wheather it be the archives or folks ready to help real time! Excellent pics, great descriptions and a fantastic looking finish! I personally dont think that you will have problems with the use of wood. (At least not in our lifetime) Boats have been using fiberglass encased wood for years with little to no problems, in fact one example sits out back now. Thanks for sharing your expierience!
------------------ Rob White, Atascosa Texas
The Pontiac Fiero, Americas Go-Cart for Grownups....
IP: Logged
08:55 AM
Cozmo Member
Posts: 421 From: Ybor City, FL Registered: Feb 2001
Excellent, My7Fieros! As you stated, fiberglass encased wood should last a looong time. On mine I also took some metal off from the leading edge of the front trunk, like you said it's barely noticable. The only problem I have (and it looks like you may have it too) is standing water at the bottom of the vent area. I'm thinking of drilling a small (1/8"???) hole there to allow runoff... Good job and nice writeup!
------------------ Bob Cardone Suncoast Fieros '85 2M6 SE Targa
IP: Logged
09:08 AM
Mar 14th, 2002
Neal Member
Posts: 1247 From: Calgary AB, Canada Registered: Jun 2001
Good job! That looks as good as any you would buy from anywhere, and it's even better, having the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
A man with a plan, and the ambition and fortitude to see it through.
Good presentation too, there's got to be more than a couple people out there, armed with this article, who are now not afraid to tackle this project. Way to go.
Oh, personally, I don't see ANY problem with the wood, as long as you got it encased in glass.
Originally posted by 8Ball: Oh I so have to try this now I even have the perfect design laid out. Thank you for the great pics and detail. And archie Thanks for the measurements
Give it your best shot, I'm sure you can do it.
Several years ago, when we 1st started making that design, I called it the Warber Hood. I named it after the late Rich Warber who originally designed it while working for me.
As you do the conversion to your hood & as you show the finished product to others, We would just ask that you think of Rich.
Archie
IP: Logged
01:20 AM
Avery Montembeault Member
Posts: 392 From: NIskayuna NY Registered: Jan 2001
looks sharp. have you noticed any performance changes? I was thinking about toying with a parts hood myself, trying to get the venturi effect found on Lotus esprit's, but I was thiking about using maybe stainless steel to build the basic structure instead of wood.
IP: Logged
09:10 AM
conductor Member
Posts: 157 From: Amersfoort,the Netherlands Registered: Oct 2001
Well, Pontiac should have thought of this beautiful option. Looks real slick. One question though, since its flooding here sometimes: where is the rainwater going?
Grtx Richard.
IP: Logged
12:22 PM
My7Fieros Member
Posts: 3357 From: Germantown, TN Registered: Jun 2000
Avery, to be honest, no real "performance" changes..its really just for looks (on my application at least). It does tend to help airflow a bit when the fan kicks on..gives it somewhere to go. Conductor, water is not a problem. It just falls through, on the radiator or the ground. Thanx for the measurements Arch! I would suggest to anyone who has never really done any kind of "hands on" work like this to do it on another hood, as opposed to the original one on the car. Thats what we did, just in case we screwed it up lol. Once again, thanx for the interest. We will be bringing this car (the white GT Ive posted pics here before) to the swap meet at Ed's next month, hope to see you guys there.
IP: Logged
01:50 PM
Fierowrecker Member
Posts: 1858 From: Lowell, MI. USA Registered: Mar 2001
I have loved that hood ever Since I first saw The PPE. And the sheer beauty of that car has made me wish on many many occasions, That I could have met Mr. Warber, And that I someday soon get to meet you. Just to shake your hand.
If I could afford it that car would be my baby. It has to be the MOST beautiful Fiero I have ever seen. It was THAT car that really got me into the little guys.
E.B.
IP: Logged
03:33 PM
Neal Member
Posts: 1247 From: Calgary AB, Canada Registered: Jun 2001
Hi All: This looks do-able to me but I have a couple questions. How many layers of fiberglass did you use? How deep is it? Thanks for the how-to. Later, tstroud
IP: Logged
07:37 PM
Monkeyman Member
Posts: 15824 From: N. Wilkesboro, NC, USA Registered: Nov 1999
Archie (or whomever can answer)--I 1st heard of Rich Warber at Fierorama last year. I don't know of his history. Can someone tell me who he was and what he did (other than produce a hood)? Sounds like he meant much more to the Fiero community than just a hood designer.
IP: Logged
08:27 PM
malacite Member
Posts: 2213 From: Casselberry Fl 32707 Registered: Oct 2001
OK I went to the junkyard an got a broken hood to experiment on. I am trying the warber scoop. I just came in from glassing it and here is what I found. First, stick to archies measurements. They are well thought out and are as large as you can go without making lots of extra work for yourself. Second, If you remove the bracing from the bottom of the cut-out section you won't have to modify the front trunk lip or seal. As far as the depth of the opening goes, I found the thickness of a 2x4(1 3/4") will just miss the upper radiator hose and just clear the radiator overflow container after removing the bracing from the bottom of the cut-out section. My junkyard hood had been in a front end collision so the bracing was already broken loose, this may not be so easy to remove on most hoods but it sure makes the 'glassing a lot easier and cleaner looking and provides better clearance. Later, tstroud
IP: Logged
10:16 PM
Apr 8th, 2002
Bobert Member
Posts: 371 From: Toronto, Canada Registered: Jan 2002
Looks good for what you have done and accomplished. My hat is off to you. Couple of question. Using wood as I did on my first hood vent I found that the wood even though it is sandwiched in fiberglass has a tendency to swell and contract with the weather. How did or are you going to compensate for that. Mine cracked the fiberglass. What will you do with the water that puddles up in the vent since you have a ridge and water cannot flow out and is trapped.
------------------
[This message has been edited by fieroshop (edited 06-03-2002).]
