Engine compartment splash pans

jrapose

jrapose

Senior Member
I have a 31 roadster....without the splash pans...and I have found one...but I notice only cars that I ever see them installed on are show cars....mine sure is not one of those.... why don't daily drivers use them ?

Noisy ? or in the way ? or just not needed...
Just wondering if anyone knew...

Joel
 
I've had them on my "driver" '28 for 11 years and never had any issue with overheating. Keeps the engine appearance clean and in original looking condition.
 
They not only help direct some of the heat of the manifold out of the engine comp., but also assist in grounding the elec. system.
 
I've had engine pans on both my 1931 Standard Coupe (owned 1975 thru 1978) and my 1930 Deluxe Coupe (owned 1977 to present) both of which were drivers and - during various periods - driven daily to and from work, including the snow in Idaho (I have a set of chains) and the rain in Washington (which brings new definition to the phrase "In Bremerton you don't tan, you rust.") I've experienced no problems and would recommend their installation.
 
Have a Tudor without 'em and a phaeton with 'em. Only time the splash pans got in the way was when needing to change timing wheel. Have noticed no diffference in heat dissipation between the cars and neither of the cars engine bays get mucky as we have tarmac roads these days rather than the unmade cart tracks of the 1930s. All engines should have a good cable earth strap,- don't just rely on mounting bolts or pans.
 
Mine certainly can only be considered a driver.. I install them with insulating washers and add an extra heavy ground strap from frame to transmitter..
 
I use them to keep mud off the engine when on dirt roads. I think the grounding issue is bunk. The engine is grounded through the transmission, rear end, and rear spring, which are all larger than the pans. I have had a dozen model A's, and only 3 had pans, and they all ran fine, no grounding issues, no heating issues.
 
I guess your car could get by without the eng. pans :rolleyes:, It could also get by without the fenders, running boards, and bumpers, and you would get better gas mileage :eek:.

The car was designed to have them, I'd put them on, JMHO ;).
 
I just installed them on my car. I also like the idea that they provide some protection to the carb air intake from road dust and debris.
 
2manycars said:
...The engine is grounded through the transmission, rear end, and rear spring..
Click to expand...

This is a very unreliable grounding path. The u-joint is (or should be) full of grease, as are the shackles. This is why many people report finding that their spark rods or fuel lines are getting hot (sometimes very hot) during starting.

With that said, engine pans are a marginal ground as well.


Joe
 
Brother A said:
I just installed them on my car. I also like the idea that they provide some protection to the carb air intake from road dust and debris.
Click to expand...

You are right,
From what I have read about the design of the A model, The eng. pans helped with the air flow from the fan and the air flow from the speed of the car to direct heat away from the eng. but also the dirt from the road to keep it away from the carb. [which had no filter], It would also direct any fuel leak's from the carb area over board, also helped get reid of most of the eng. fumes instead of it getting into the cockpit thru. leaks in the fire wall like the clutch,brake and gas peddle holes etc.
Those pan's are on their for a lot of reason's or Henry would have left them off and saved a lot of money, Which I've heard he saved as his hobby :D.
 
OK, I am sold....I have one and looking for the other original...I will have them powdercoated...I have seen the reproductions done that way and they look good and the powdercoating stays under the carb where paint peels off....
For my roadster I want to use as many original parts as I can...just because I have owned it since 1963 and plan on being towed to the cemetary by it....(not soon hopefully)....it will tow a small trailer easily.

Joel
Chester Ca.
 
I know there are some differences in the years....is there something I should look at special in a 1930? (design change)

Thanks
Joel
 
I had a car for several years without them and didn't have a nearby club to tap for information so I didn't even know splash pans existed until a couple months ago. When I learned about them, the guys called them "rattle pans". I guess proper mounting is important.
 
In England we have access to an old 'compilation' of technical data most of which originates from Service Bulletins or old catalogues etc.

There is a small section making reference to an engine pan modification.

I hope the attached jpeg is readable as the original copy is poor, not my scan!

My pans are repro and the left hand pan doesn't look quite like the one in the picture.

 

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I recommend making some stepped support brakets to fit under the tabs of the four bolts that attach the pans to both sides of the engine oil pan. I don't know about originals, but repos tend to crack and break at these four tab location. You will know when they break as they will exhibit a hellish noise when de-accelerating. Bratton sells repo splash pans already powder coated.

Tom Endy
 
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