The Perfect Engine Bay

[palallin]

What is your conception of the perfect engine bay? What should be in it, and what should it look like?


In what will probably come as no surprise, my idea of the perfect engine bay is that it look just like it did when it rolled off the end of the assembly line, if at all possible with all the same parts. The fewer deviations the better.

[Willys_MB]

Maybe it's just the stage that I'm at with my truck (down for 14 months due to a seized engine, but I'm almost ready to start it up), but all that I care about is that it runs and looks clean! I'm a carburetor guy, none of this LS stuff for me though.

While I had the old 327 out I pressure washed the engine bay and spray painted it black to make it look uniform, but other than that, if it runs I'm a happy camper!

[RodnRudy]

Well it goes without saying this has to be the best engine bay, clean and simple, and because it's mine LOL

[sick472]

It's easier to tell you what I don't like in an engine bay, but I don't want to ruffle feathers with my prejudices.

I can tell you that I do almost all my mechanic'n and what I like the most is "room" in the engine bay. New cars, and my old Austin Healey are/were terrible to work on.

I DO like RodnRudy's posted pic...very clean indeed...looks almost photo-shopped, to nice to be true!

[jocko]

Seek and ye shall find (in Pete's (DeadheadNM) K20 or K5! )

[skrenly]

I'm just finishing up this engine bay on my 72 CST K5.. A few more details to go like adding a ACDELCO battery. Original down to the vacuum lines coming off the charcoal canister.

[jocko]

Ok, please amend my earlier comment to include your K5 too... Looks perfect.

[Overdriven]

Originally Posted by RodnRudy

Well it goes without saying this has to be the best engine bay, clean and simple, and because it's mine LOL

I don’t need to type out a response, just point here! Always been a fan of a Chevy orange blocks/heads, with a natural finish aluminum intake, script or finned valve covers and a simple open element air cleaner.

I know it’s not always easy to do depending on paint condition, but if possible leave the fenders and firewall body color. Only the inner fenders and core support should be semi gloss black, in my opinion, which of course is the only one that matters. Lol

[nikwho]

I like the engine compartment to be as clean as possible/feasible. I like body color paint under the hood, on the firewall, and typically on the inner fenders. I'm not a huge fan of bare metal or flat finish paint. I like for it to be simple and clean.

[FirstOwner69]

I sort of like mine. It's not like the General made it (engine is the only thing incorrect), but after looking at the original for 50 years, it was time for a change.

[tim71]

I wanted to stay as original as possible, but couldn't resist one major change...

[Coley]

I used to be a fan of the chrome under the hood thing, but was primarily when I was younger.
Over time, for me...chrome valve covers and air cleaners have become so common they are no longer unique or appealing to me.
Now that said, I get the whole performance look thing.....but it is now very common to me so I'm drawn to something that is a little out of the 'norm' or something I didn't expect or didn't see very often- stock.

That means, these days....unique to me is 'stock' appearing. Its funny there are so many SBC engine bays at a show 'n shine that I find having a stock air cleaner makes it the most unique one at the show, lol.

All of that said, I'm a fan of performance modifications to the engine...so adding horsepower to the stock motor is great....love it. However, I think what is really cool is having that extra 100 or 200 horsepower all wrapped up in something that looks like GM made it that way originally.
Then when you fire it up...everybody usually gives you a thumbs up because they weren't expecting it, noting that you didn't wrap it in another chrome air cleaner/valve cover look.

...however, we all have our preferences...which is why we are married to different people, lol....and at the end of the day it is all good.

Coley

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by RodnRudy

Well it goes without saying this has to be the best engine bay, clean and simple, and because it's mine LOL

we have very similar taste..
looks just like mine.

[68is4me]

x2 on what Coley said. Love the stock look but with some power adders.
Currently building a 620hp and is going to look all stock. Will be adding stock valve covers back on.

This motor going into this engine bay.

[big mike71]

BigAl71 has the cleanest and best engine bay in my opinion

[p0508]

Straight from the factory

[57taskforce]

At this point, an engine bay that was complete and running would be perfect, haven’t driven this damn thing in two years!
I have to agree with Mark, Pete’s trucks have amazing engine bays! I haven’t seen his current Blazer in person yet but His super is clean enough to eat off of and perfect down to the last detail.

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by RodnRudy

Well it goes without saying this has to be the best engine bay, clean and simple, and because it's mine LOL

Nice, clean looking pump to carb fuel line. What type of filter are you using?

[RodnRudy]

Originally Posted by yuccales

Nice, clean looking pump to carb fuel line. What type of filter are you using?

I made my own fuel line and used 3/8 line with #6 AN fittings. The filter is from Summit
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rus-650133/overview/

[a.c.ward]

here is a shot of mine, kinda sorta like it a lot, not much stock on it, pretty much all custom

[Indychus]

I also appreciate a clean stock engine bay, but my project has gotten a little out of hand....

[daddybooz]

You guys sure do good work!

Here's a shot of my bay, latest pic before exhaust, now running! Look forward to first summer with 406!

Still learning site, not sure how to to rotate pic...

[weq92f]

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Flip fa ya...

[daddybooz]

Originally Posted by weq92f

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Flip fa ya...

Thank you!

[chewychevy67]

I just love seeing oil bath air filters. Makes the bay look so vintage. So on my build I added one and converted it to paper element. Just to be different At shows. Wish I had some photos to share of mine but it's still in progress. Maby in two years!