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Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:02 am

I've got a 1914 in my 68 ghia with a pair of 44 webers and I'm not getting enough air in the engine compartment. I'd rather not have to raise the deck lid to get more air in there.

Anyone have any ideas? One thought was to put a pair of 3" air pipes in the floor of the engine compartment (w/filters) to scoop more air into the engine.

I'd rather not mess with the louvers or change the stock look.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:59 pm

What are the symptoms you're seeing? Why do you think that you're not getting enough air into the engine compartment?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:03 pm

We did a test run with the lid down and it was running too rich.... then propped it open with a 2x4 and it ran like a champ.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:28 pm

Yep...Ive seen the fan and the carbs battle for air also. I would go with some clever duct work in the engine compartment...if you dont mind cutting/welding on your ghia.

JGW

Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:31 pm

I had one suggestion to remove the fire wall tin.... thoughts?

Do you think a couple of 3" "scoops" on the floor of the bay would pick up enough air? Road debris could be filtered?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:11 pm

I would worry about getting hot air from down there.

Maybe proping the decklid up at the hinges, I know it doesnt look good and you will get the odd good samaritan flagging you down pointing at your decklid telling you that its open, but it does help with cool air

another idea might be a judson style scoop, again it messes up the lines of the car

Bry

Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:34 pm

Is this a new engine or a new symptom? Is it possible the engine is running rich (jets too big) and when you propped open the deck lid, pulling air out of the engine compartment, (now starving for air) it leans it out to a better air/fuel ratio? Just thinking out loud since we don't have much information on your engine and there are many Ghia's out there with larger displacement engines without the decklids propped open for airflow.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:59 pm

It is a new engine and we're getting smaller jets..... we're also at 5000 ft. Would smaller air-cleaners reduct the air intake enough to make a difference?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:08 pm

Just curious; do you have a rain tray installed in the deck lid?
Charley

Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:44 pm

dberghold wrote: It is a new engine and we're getting smaller jets..... we're also at 5000 ft. Would smaller air-cleaners reduct the air intake enough to make a difference?

Wait wait wait...weren't you trying to get MORE air into the engine? I'm confused.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:55 pm

I'll have to check on the rain tray... I'm not certain.

I am trying to get more air into the engine bay, so I thought that maybe lessening the amount that the carbs are sucking up (by fitting smaller air cleaners) would help... I am off on this assumption?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:27 pm

Before we can help you, what exactly are you trying to do and why? I am not sure why are you trying to choke the amount of air the engine is consuming, is it running hot or something?

I personally don't think choking the carbs are the solution to whatever your problem is. The engine requires a certain amount of airflow to keep it running properly, no matter how big the air cleaner or carb is.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:38 pm

sszuch wrote: Before we can help you, what exactly are you trying to do and why? I am not sure why are you trying to choke the amount of air the engine is consuming, is it running hot or something?

I personally don't think choking the carbs are the solution to whatever your problem is. The engine requires a certain amount of airflow to keep it running properly, no matter how big the air cleaner or carb is.

Forgive me.... I'm a little new at this. My friend who is working on the car noticed that it was "air starved".... so I thought I'd ask here what might be a good solution to the issue.

I'm not "trying" to do anything but make a good running car with the new engine. Why?> because I wanted a little more power out of the car than I had in the stock 1600.

Ok, so choking on the air cleaners is not the way to go. Thanks.

Any other suggestions before I come up with another "newbie" idea that shows my total incompetence in this matter?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:43 pm

Ah, now I see.

You are already on the right path by checking the jetting and adjusting according to your engine needs and altitude. It never hurts to double check your timing and valve lash. Sometimes these can give you a headache when trying to get the carbs dialed in. The only other 'obvious' thing I can think of is to double check and make sure you don't have any vacuum leaks.

Quote: Forgive me.... I'm a little new at this.

No forgiveness necessary, we all had to start somewhere. I just felt it was necessary to understand what you were trying to do before randomly giving out ill advice. Good luck.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:59 pm

Thanks for the input.

IN my extensive searches on this matter, I've heard that Gene Berg had some method of an air scoop set near the rear torsion bar? These were from listing on this board a number of years ago and I've hear nothing about the success.

So, if I'm to understand this all correctly, if everything is "as it should"..... in a perfect world, then my 1914, with dual 44s at 5000 ft of elevation should be fine with no added air ducting.... right? I'd rather not drive around with a 2x4 under the deck.... and I'd also rather not have to lift the front of the deck lid to put more air in the bay. After all, wouldn't water be an issue getting in?

John at Aircooled suggested pulling the firewall tin. Other than a dirty engine bay is there any other reason to not go this route?

I do appreciate all of your input.... I'm in a bit of a time-crunch as I've got a 1200 mile rally to go on in under three weeks (not a race, but a charity event www.goingtothesunrally.com) and I'm the poor boy with the Ghia.... Shelby's, Jag xk, austin's and the like.... I'd rather not be the one to fail.... besides, I've got to put on a couple hundred miles on this new plant to break it in.
Thanks and keep the ideas coming.