HeatShield for Kirkham

[ToyCollector]

What kind of heat shield brand or specs do you recommend for the foot box bays in the engine compartment? At the Spring Fling, Tom and I discussed adding this to my car under the aluminum shield that is there. Where is a good place to get this stuff? I assume I just drill out existing rivots, install, and re-rivot. Also, what is the best method to plug remaing cowl/firewall holes that may have gaps where wires or cables are run though, or are unused? Try to find rubber plugs from different cars? Silicone?

I also want to thank Tom for attending the event and spending lots of time with the crowd. Again, your charity was a major factor in my buying decision to upgrade.

[Turk]

TC,
In Summit catalog there is an assortmnet of heat shield material. I believe the brand name is Thermo Shield. They have different grades, 2000 degree mat being the best they offer.
While you are at it make sure to acquire some of the adhesive backed tape made out of the same material. It makes a very good trim and splicing material.

I believe Aircraft Spruce Catalog may have some more exotic stuff.
I can't overemphasize the virtues of insulation in the alloy car.

You may also consider venting the fender liners right ahead of the headers like ERA does.

TURK

[ToyCollector]

Turk, you rule. Thanks. I could research this stuff on my own but I am seriously trying to make up for lost time. Aircraft Spruce may be a winner as we have an outlet in Georgia not that far from Southern. As you can tell with all my questions, I took a lot of real close looks at the excellent work and details you had done on yours. I would buy one of your ex-Cobras anyday...especially a low mileage one

I lost a week in DVSF prep, I lost this week in DVSF recovery and that bug did weaken me last 24 hours, work, and now I will lose the coming weekend and next week for race car prep and racing. I know, "life is hard", but it is unbelievable how time flies.

[PatBuckley]

TC - Let me know if I can help in any way.

[Bud Man]

When I built 142, I used the insulation that Motorsports Intl sells. It is a very high quality, densely woven material, and I am very pleased with it so far. There is other stuff out there, but you cannot go wrong with this particular product.

On sealing the dash etc..... By all means use plugs for unused holes, but in all honesty, I didn't end up with any. Make sure your grommets are the proper ID to properly seal around lines and hoses. The major openings that engine heat travels through are the two gaps at the top ends of the firewall that allow the scuttle braces to pass thru. The probelm is made worse because when the factory fits the firewall they more often that not bend the openings out somewhat. My suggestion is to first straighten those bends (if present) and then purchase a couple of feet of the inner panel OEM foam strip that Motorsports sells. Razor cut a 1/4 deep slit in it, cut it to fit the openings and glue onto the panel opening around the brace.

On cutting the vent holes into the inner fender panels, I am not sure if the benefit is worth it, but if you do, make sure you rivet a fine enough screen over the openings to minimize debris from the tires.

Cockpit heat is a fact of life with these things, but the above will help.

Bud

[Lew Ledyard]

Will wrapping the headers in thermal wrap help, or will that lead to early corrosion of the hearders?

[Bud Man]

Lew:

I would not use header wrap for that reason, among others.

A ceramic coating to the inside and outside of your headers will give you good heat containment characteristics, as well as protecting against corrosion. Same with the collectors. On those, make sure that your shop gets into the orifices as deeply as possible to give that same protection.

Bud

[Lew Ledyard]

Thanks, that's what I thought.

[sshurts]

Hi Everyone,

This is great information. I'm not quite sure how many there are of us in the Kirkham pipeline right now, but these build tips and insights are very helpful. I'm hearing from David that mine should be ready for pickup within the next week

Thanks, in advance, to all the veterans and the new owners as I monitor the posts and drop in my own set of question... Can hardly wait to get started

Scott

[Jamo]

One other item to check with regard to heat. Sometimes, the lower firewall access panel is not bolted in at the top because the carpet holds it in pretty tight. I was still getting a great deal of heat from there, and bolted it up (two)--really made a difference. Tom even suggested some screws at the bottom, but it was tight enough with the folded over carpet in that area.

The air vent on the driver's side REALLY helps.

[Lew Ledyard]

TC

What motor will you be using?

Lew