I posted this in the El Camino section and am looking for more feedback, positive or negative. I have a 1967 El Camino and have done a frame on resto-mod to include a 572 crate engine. In the process I decided to try and modify a flat 67 hood to that of a 68SS hood. The hood grills that I used were badly pitted, so until the new ones arrive, I painted them balck and installed them to fill the area. This also gave me the chance to compare them to chrome. Not sure yet which I will end up with, but I think the chrome. I included two photos of the front grill area, one with the stock front grill and one with the top portion, about one inch in width, blacked out. Need an opinion on that too.

Thanks

Well I tried to include the photos that I posted in the El Camino section, but apparently they can't be posted a second time and I don't know how to move the original post.

I think it looks good, but IMHO a '67 SS hood would have looked better.

Derek;

I had and still have the 67 SS hood, and must admit I am having a hard time getting used to the 68. Maybe because the original 68SS hood is longer and flat in the front.

I should say, still have. Not had and still have. Been one of those days.

tell you what Tony, I have 1 of each of those cars. I think it looks sweet. I personally think I would lose the grilles off the hood though for this application.

Yup, thought about the grills. I have inserts made to fill the areas. What I had thought about was using the open area for a custom made air cleaner and take advantage of the cold air from the rear.
I think with the grills blacked out, it's too much black, and the chrome may look better. The other issue is getting the grills to fit properly. The ones on their are GM originals a the fit is crappy, but that could be the hood. Again, that can be fixed.
Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

Jason;

In looking at this again, the added hood grill vents along with the vents or slats in the windshied wiper cowl may be too much. I'll know more when I get the chrome ones.

Jason;

In looking at this again, the added hood grill vents along with the vents or slats in the windshied wiper cowl may be too much. I'll know more when I get the chrome ones.


Yea, i agree. The vents at the base of the windshield conflict with the vents on the hood. The 68's did not have those vents on the base of the windshield. Im not sure I really like it... Still kinda cool.

Jason;

In looking at this again, the added hood grill vents along with the vents or slats in the windshied wiper cowl may be too much. I'll know more when I get the chrome ones.
That was my point, one or the other but definately not both. Probably would look better without the cowl slats, but which one is easier to deal with?

I have another cowl and am in the process of eliminating some of the vents.

The vents on a '68-69 hood are located behind the hood-seal , and basically lets outside air into the cowl vents.

Your '67 has the cowl panel behind the hood that pulls outside air into the cowl vents.

With the '68 style vents on the '67 hood, they are letting hot under-hood air out, and also under-hood air-pressure out at high-speed. Unfortunately, that hot air comes out the hood vents, and gets sucked into the cowl vents, so when unless you have air-conditioning, the air coming into your car will be hot.

Derek;

Good point. I was going to eliminate the center section of the vents and leave the last six or so open on each end of the cowl. Using the same principal that is used on the NASCAR vehicles, I am desiginig an air cleaner that will mate up with the hood vents and pull in the outside cool air and not allow water to enter the system.

here`s a link to your other post

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164132

You also have a PM.