Engine side pans
 

I rececntly purchased my 30 coupe. In removing the engine for re-build I found reference to removing the engine side pans. That is when I discovered my car doesn't have them, so I am adding that to the "list" of other suprises.
My question is how desireable, or important, is it to have them on the car?
I am a real "newbie" so any comments will be helpful.
Thanks
Burt

Re: Engine side pans
 

Depends if you are a purist or not...Yes, they originally came on the car and it just makes the engine compartment look Model Aish. I think they were there originally to keep the mud and crap from getting into the engine compartment but others I am sure will add to this.

Personally I think they look neat in there...Kind of a B*&%# to put on but not bad.

I also think back in the day most were just forgot about and not put back on.

Pluck

Re: Engine side pans
 

Mine make a good funnel when I drain my radiator:D

Re: Engine side pans
 

I also think they were put on the Model A's to aid in cooling the engine.
Bill Lee/Virginia Peninsula

Re: Engine side pans
 

Burt,
They are important, they were designed to help with the air flow to direct the heat away from the engine and fumes from the engine compartment over board by the fan at slow speeds and the airflow thru. the rad. at higher speeds, they also direct any leaks, fuel from the carb, and water leaks overboard, they also help keep the air flow from the road [dirt] away from the carb. intake as the org. "A" did not have an air filter, plus the mud and other road dirt away from the eng. comp.
put them on, they are not just for look ;).

Re: Engine side pans
 

Burt, I know little about what should be or not be on a Model A. But until you get to know your A a lot better, I don't think I would worry about them. I did buy a set for my huckster a couple of years ago and think one of these days I may get around to putting them on one of my A's. But like Pluck mentioned above, I don't look forward to putting them on.

When I changed my engine in my coupe, I found remnants of the pans still attached to bolts in the lower part of the frame. It looked like the edges of the pans had broken loose because they were still under the bolts. This may be what happened to a lot of the pans, they just fell off and no one bothered to put them back on.

Have fun with you A and I don't think I would worry about the pans at this time but keep your eyes open for a good deal on a set.

Re: Engine side pans
 

They are fairly important.

They keep water from soaking into the engine. Probably not such a problem since many are only driven on sunny days.

They channel the air to keep the engine area cool.

The are a major ground path from the grounded frame to the engine. So be sure the tabs are clean of paint around the bolts. Keep in mind various remedies that are to 'fix' the A actually defeat the original ground paths.

Without them you are more likely to have funny electrical problems and funny heating problems. Keep in mind a bunch of little issues can add up to difficult to troubleshoot problems on the road.

Re: Engine side pans
 

I had them on, took them off. Unless you have them powdercoated or painted with something impervious to gasoline, every little drip from your carburetor will take off paint from the passenger side pan. I don't miss them and have no trouble with cooling or with excessive dirt, grime, etc. in the engine compartment.

Re: Engine side pans
 

Mine are in the basement and will be put back on sometime, but for now everything is working fine. I do like the looks of them on the car. Like a nice pinstripe, they help give the car the finished look.

Re: Engine side pans
 

I don't think they are hard to put on, I just think they suck. The repo's are k-rap and the originals are mostly rotten.

Re: Engine side pans
 

:cool:everything on that car was needed or good ole Henery would not have put it there!! I get this even with todays cars,people , if it wasnt needed and they could save that $ on every car x millions what do you think

Re: Engine side pans
 

I keep hearing this, and am at a loss as to how thousands of Model A's keep running without them!

Re: Engine side pans
 

A must no, but as mentioned they aid in cooling, keep water from splashing up into the engine compartment and one can alway tap the frame to make the installation easier and paint them with model airplane paint like one uses for the carb to keep them from peeling.

Re: Engine side pans
 

I would have to see prof that they help in cooling.It just does not add up for me. They were there to keep the mud out. Chev had them to. If they helped in cooling why do they not use them to day. My car runs in 100 degree heat all summer. never have to add water, with out the pans. I agree they look nice on the car.

Re: Engine side pans
 

I have had the repro from Snyders on my car for 10 years, no issues. They look good, keep the engine cool as I have never had the temp gauge show any signs of overheating. My vote is for them.

Re: Engine side pans
 

I put a set of powder coated pans on all my A's, and the T had them as well. I can't say as they really have a functional use, you can drive without them pretty well, but they were there originally and do look better. Put them on when you can, but don't make them a priority.

Re: Engine side pans
 

I think they work something like a fan shod on a modern car. helps to funnel the air. Bill