I'm putting together ideas for a next racer/speedster. This time I want to build a "road racer."Looking through some past speedster designs I noticed some engine compartments are open on the sides and some are completely closed in. As for cooling what is the purpose of the closed in type? Does it actualy draw more air through the radaitor? Knowing the T has built in cooling short falls. What if a design had louvers which could be openned and closed from the cab area while on the run to help control engine heat? Any idea's on the perfect body set up?
Did the boattail body have any advantage or draw back over the bobtail design and visversa? What about the under frame body sheet metal design?

For protection from flying rocks, etc., you want fenders. Motocycle fenders have very little weight or drag. The drag difference between early fenders and no fenders is night and day.

Open or closed hood depends on whether you want folks to see inside. We ran closed hood on the Greatrace to have a place for the required sign.

rdr

Tyrone,
Air entering the radiator has to exit somewhere, does not matter where. Early Fords had no hood louvers, as T's improved over the years the number and size of hood louvers increased. If you want to run without louvers, you will need the engine compartment open around the engine to allow the air to flow somewhere, so no engine shields(the sheet metal shelves that go from the crankcase to frame), or cut the shields short to end about midway back. Your hood will stay cleaner without louvers.

No doubt regarding the fenders. The front ones are huge air scoops. Bet they really sucked down the horses. A co-effecent of a brick wall. Not to mention front end lift. I agree with you jeff in that the trapped heat will just super heat the floor board. Not to mention cause the mag, the tranny and oil to run hotter. Thanks both.

I think the open sides are more of a look than function. I'm not a big fender fan but can appreciate the added protection. Without fenders you have to be sure to turn right when going through puddles, keeps the driver dry, tough cookies for the passenger.

Andy

Ralph,

Thats one of the best looking speedsters i have seen. Its a style i would go for should i ever decide to buy/build one. Of course the radiator costs about as much as the rest of the car.

Vince m

Thanks, Vince. I'm pretty sure it's not an original Livingston, so I call it a Windsplitter. The front fenders are 1915. The rear fenders are 1914 front fenders. It's our Poor Man's Mercer.

rdr

I believe I read it in Burce's book the louvers were first added in 1915, so the horn could be heard when it put under the hood.

Alex

Rick -

What brakes you running on this one?

Nash Metropolitan on all fours. It stops like a modern car. Go see Walt Berdan's. I've been running them for over 10 years, and somewhere near 100K miles.

http://pweb.netcom.com/~rickydik/brak/

You're right! I do need to go see Walt!