I am planning on setting up a ram air intake on my 70 Chevelle and would like to my parts of it out of fiberglass. Have done some fiberglassing in the past but don't know if there are any concerns for putting it within 6 inches of an engine. Thanks,
Mike

I don't see any problems. Many fiberglass hoods out there. I used fiberglass to smooth my firewall.

Bill

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, are you not aware of the fact that Corvette engines are TOTALLY surrounded by fiberglass????
Oh ya, and so are many boat engines. ;)
Press on.

Okay, so stupid question. I just didn't know if there were any unusual preparations that I'd have to do. Thanks. Mike

Make damn sure you have a good large capacity fire extinguisher in car. Fiberglass burns fiercely.

Okay, so stupid question. I just didn't know if there were any unusual preparations that I'd have to do. Thanks. Mike

Mike,

The only stupid question is one that is NOT asked. I believe everyone was just having a little fun on your behalf. :D Please feel free to ask any question. If anyone says it was a stupid question, I will call my Uncle Vinny from NY to visit them. He will make them a offer they can't refuse!!!! :D

Bill

Actually all of the boats and vettes have a layer of gelcoat over the glass mat and resin - It offers a small amount of protection to the most flammable part - the hardened resin. I think the question is a good one! You will likely be using filler & paint over top of hardened fiberglass - this will protect it more than just having the raw glass and resin....

There's an air induction post on this forum for that lists a site for store bought versions....

Thanks, I figured that there were some precautions that needed to be taken. I'll look into the gelcoat and see what I come up with.

Mike

Had a friend with a 56 ford pick-up...Mint with a blown 460 fiberglass tilt hood. Complete with mid sized fire extingusher.

He had a leak of some sort in the engine compartment. Later found to be brake fluid {per him}. Burned the truck to the ground in a NY minute. Extingusher didnt help.

Just tossing that out there.

Okay, so stupid question. I just didn't know if there were any unusual preparations that I'd have to do. Thanks. Mike

ZERO stupidity was implied. Just pointing out the fact that there are lots of cars runing around with lots of fiberglass in close proximity to the engine, as well as the exhaust. And, it is VERY true, when a Vette, or other vehicle with fiberglass components (including boats) catch on fire, its best to remove yourself to a safe distance, open the lawn chair, get out the long stick and marshmellows and make the best of a bad situation. Because, by the time the fire department arrives, it'll be gone!
Also, MANY of todays "steel" cars have fiberglass frontend "sheetmetal" parts.
Many of the older cars, such as our Chevelles also have a fiberglass heater/air cond box on the right side of the firewall which is in a relatively close proximity to the exhaust (especially on BB cars) and you never see those boxes damaged or distorted from the heat.
So, bottom line, as long as your fuel, exhaust, and other systems are put together securely and are tight (especially fuel lines, etc), I wouldn't give a second thought about fiberclass parts being near engine components. Press on.

No issues and I didn't take any offense to the answer. I hadn't thought about it the way you'd mentioned in your first response. I'm gonna press on but everybodys comments have given me some more to think about. Thanks to all.
Mike