So, I think I Need A Pontiac Hood Tach Bulge....

...Or something very similar. Seems the truck FEAD alternator location for the LS swap is going to be a slight hood clearance issue and I don't have the time or money to work around it right how. I have a mediocre hood that I don't mind cutting a hole in, but I need something to cover it. I figure something like a Pontiac hood tach bulge would be just about perfect.

Anyone has a source for something like that?

Anyone able to MAKE one?

I obviously don't need the tach, but simply the bulge. It's the cleanest, most factory-ish look I can come up with for a temporary solution until I can afford the cowl hood

Doug

Might be tricky to find. From what I remember the tach was built into the housing. You'd need to find the complete piece then remove the tach and cutout the bottom of the housing.

I bet you'd have better luck cutting the turbo bulge from an eclipse hood and using that.
They used these scoops all the way from '90 until around '99 even though they changed body styles in between.

Incase you forgot what they look like (ignore the ricer mods )

bammax wrote:

Might be tricky to find. From what I remember the tach was built into the housing. You'd need to find the complete piece then remove the tach and cutout the bottom of the housing.

I bet you'd have better luck cutting the turbo bulge from an eclipse hood and using that.
They used these scoops all the way from '90 until around '99 even though they changed body styles in between.

Incase you forgot what they look like (ignore the ricer mods )

Hmm, not too bad... I did want to try to avoid metalwork though. I was going to cut a hole in the hood and then place the bulge over it and essentially silicone it over the hole... that's why I was thinking if someone could make something similar it would work...it is supposed to be temporary...

I will keep the Eclipse hood in mind though, I'm sure they can be found for a dime a dozen, I would just have to do the metal mods and repaint the hood. I might end up liking that better though because it would be unlike anything else...I mean every other guy has a cowl hood...

Doug

http://www.aztrucks.com/product.asp?pr=Eclipse_Hood_Scoops

mean ss wrote:

http://www.aztrucks.com/product.asp?pr=Eclipse_Hood_Scoops

Haha, no friggn way

Got you covered.
Trying to figure out clearances & shape are the toughest part.
I can roll aluminum (or steel), but only in one direction
Like I can take a rectangle of aluminum & roll it into a smile
then we could angle the sides appropriately (slightly rolled if desired), weld & grind to reasonably smooth.
If we did everything right you could insert it through the underside & secure (somehow?)
If we go through the bottom you'd see your cut so you want that clean
If you attach to the top it might look like azz. Your call
You have to tell me where it locates versus the underhood stiffeners & stuff
I have the hood off my old 95 with serious rot on the front right leading edge.
I could always work with that one for ideas.
Make up a sketch or cut & take pics & we'll work it.
DISCLAIMER: It MAY NOT look like an auto body professional did it unless we get lucky
www.whitmorcompany.com

pontiac hood tachs hang below the hood

sdstick wrote:

Got you covered.
Trying to figure out clearances & shape are the toughest part.
I can roll aluminum (or steel), but only in one direction
Like I can take a rectangle of aluminum & roll it into a smile
then we could angle the sides appropriately (slightly rolled if desired), weld & grind to reasonably smooth.
If we did everything right you could insert it through the underside & secure (somehow?)
If we go through the bottom you'd see your cut so you want that clean
If you attach to the top it might look like azz. Your call
You have to tell me where it locates versus the underhood stiffeners & stuff
I have the hood off my old 95 with serious rot on the front right leading edge.
I could always work with that one for ideas.
Make up a sketch or cut & take pics & we'll work it.
DISCLAIMER: It MAY NOT look like an auto body professional did it unless we get lucky
www.whitmorcompany.com

I am also seriously considering getting a local Eclipse hood and playing with that as a long term solution. They are cheap as dirt, quite a few within 50 miles of me for sale. I figure I can try that and see what happens.

If it looks like ass I will go back to my original idea and get a hold of you Steve.

Thanks!

Doug

mean ss wrote:

pontiac hood tachs hang below the hood

Yah I was thinking along the line of getting just the shell and leaving it empty... but I think I am going to try Brad's idea with the Eclipse hood and see how it turns out.

Doug

Why not get the correct accessory bracket? Then you are done.
How much clearance are we talking?
http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=228454

I'm guessing this pic shows the issue fairly well.


The alternator sits very high and at the front of the engine where the Impala hood is curved downward. His first option is to get a different bracket and then space out all of the acc. by about and inch or so which requires using longer bolts and spacers. It's not really a good long term solution. The other option would be to replace the crank pulley with one that matches the bracketry that he'd need to find. That's something he doesn't want to fool with since he already put the engine in the car. Plus it's risky with all the sensors and such. Not to mention it costs more money. The last option is to modify the hood to clear everything. Doug likes that option because it allows him to cut things up

IMPALADAKID wrote:

Why not get the correct accessory bracket? Then you are done.
How much clearance are we talking?
http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=228454

Because it's more money, time, and the offset does not match the water pump and crank pulley on the truck motor. I would have to buy, then modify, a car water pump and crank pulley. I'm not saying it won't happen down the road, but the couple hundred dollars and multiple hours of modification time that it will cost me can be better spent on getting the car on the road. Hell, I'll run it without a hood for as long as I can get away with it...

Plus, I like the idea of having a crazy/different hood than stock, cowl, or ram-air.

We are only talking about an inch above the fender line at the most, so I think the Mitsubishi bump might be perfect.


Doug

bammax wrote:

I'm guessing this pic shows the issue fairly well.


The alternator sits very high and at the front of the engine where the Impala hood is curved downward. His first option is to get a different bracket and then space out all of the acc. by about and inch or so which requires using longer bolts and spacers. It's not really a good long term solution. The other option would be to replace the crank pulley with one that matches the bracketry that he'd need to find. That's something he doesn't want to fool with since he already put the engine in the car. Plus it's risky with all the sensors and such. Not to mention it costs more money. The last option is to modify the hood to clear everything. Doug likes that option because it allows him to cut things up

Yeah
I saw that after I posted.

If chicks can go topless, I think doug can go hoodless.

bammax wrote:

I'm guessing this pic shows the issue fairly well.


The alternator sits very high and at the front of the engine where the Impala hood is curved downward. His first option is to get a different bracket and then space out all of the acc. by about and inch or so which requires using longer bolts and spacers. It's not really a good long term solution. The other option would be to replace the crank pulley with one that matches the bracketry that he'd need to find. That's something he doesn't want to fool with since he already put the engine in the car. Plus it's risky with all the sensors and such. Not to mention it costs more money. The last option is to modify the hood to clear everything. Doug likes that option because it allows him to cut things up

Yup, I love cutting things, maybe more than Jim!

Yah, I could probably clear the sheet metal of the hood with a slightly smaller cased alternator (again more money) but if there is a cross member there I'm screwed, so I am checking options.

not sure if most yards charge the same for all hoods.
but most neons 98+ had that same hood bulge.

bammax wrote:

this picture doesnt show much hope for the vertical water pump outlet/inlet?

laidlow91 wrote:

not sure if most yards charge the same for all hoods.
but most neons 98+ had that same hood bulge.

That's true, but there is no way I am telling people I have a Neon hood bulge...LOL

sdstick wrote:

bammax wrote:

this picture doesnt show much hope for the vertical water pump outlet/inlet?

That picture shows an 03+ throttle body that is drive-by-wire, that left side (as you look at it) is about twice the size of the throttle by cable one. A quick heating and dent with the hammer was enough to give me clearance for the throttle cable style TB.

Doug

Now that I hear you say it a neon would be a better choice. That way everyone can go around saying that Doug has a neon bulge

bammax wrote:

Doug has a neon bulge

He should get that checked out...

Cadet57 wrote:

bammax wrote:

Doug has a neon bulge

He should get that checked out...

That is just wrong on so many levels.

Pooge wrote:

laidlow91 wrote:

not sure if most yards charge the same for all hoods.
but most neons 98+ had that same hood bulge.

That's true, but there is no way I am telling people I have a Neon hood bulge...LOL
Doug

eclipse or a neon, same turd just different sheetmetal.

Altenator, u don't need no friggin altenator!!!!