scuttle panel removal legality ?????

My Fan died on me some time ago and replaced it with a second hand one. It was a right bast*rd to get in and out, took me ages to work out which angle to try and put it in! It was like a really annoying rubix cube puzzle!

I'd imagine removing the scuttle panel would make this change alot easier!

I do suspect that not having this panel with stamped chassis number may prove a problem sooner or later.

abfmk1 said

I do suspect that not having this panel with stamped chassis number may prove a problem sooner or later.

yes, agreed, car crime on the decrease too, personally i think the benefits of originality and cleanish air through the heater clinch it for me but very likely the time will come the govt will insist on both vin and stamp both present

Dano said

Thanks foxy, at last a reply from someone who's actually do it!!!!  

but….. what happens if the tag is lost!!!!  :mrgreen:  

you can get new vin tags just need logbook with your name on it

simples

i removed mine for space for the carbs on the raised engine.

peeriehutchie said

abfmk1 said

I do suspect that not having this panel with stamped chassis number may prove a problem sooner or later.

yes, agreed, car crime on the decrease too, personally i think the benefits of originality and cleanish air through the heater clinch it for me but very likely the time will come the govt will insist on both vin and stamp both present

what about all the poor ford owners that have lost their floor mounted vin due to rust :dontknow:.

i your worried about it do it and get an engineers report done on the car that way your covered in all aspects

"

what said

Well i have recently sold my 45 year old ford, which hasnt been mot,d for some time, but i believe some other owners with rust damaged chassis no,s were having problems at mot time.

not sure of any legal issues , but bear in mind by removing it you will be removing something that acts as a firewall, stops engine fumes entering the cab, and also adds strength to the body

It is a firewall first and foremost. Note the rubber seal that mates with the bonnet.

If your engine catches believe me if you havent prevented fumes/smoke entering into the car you`ve seconds before you wont see for smoke.

If removed and you keep your heater fan then that will suck in fumes/smoke also.

If you have an exhaust leak then the carbon monoxide will send you to sleep at 70mph. It acts far more quickly and stealthily than you can imagine.

Its there for a very serious purpose however if all holes are sealed from the engine bay (including the heater which will either need its own surround/firewall or ducted air from somewhere else)  its not an issue. I cant see how it is structural but I may be wrong.

I would imagine that if you dont have a firewall your insurers might take a dim view if an engine fire torched the whole car.

I have cut the scuttle pannel off to give more room for twin carbs…. now i am a bit concerned about fumes entering the car - what are my options now - whats this carbon basket?
cheers

Simply reinstate a scuttle around the heater fan or box in the heater fan and duct air to it from elsewhere

Ensure all holes in the bulkhead are filled in or have grommets.

i was also worried about this problem, but when i spoke to greg howell who is well known for modified dubs, he advised taking plenty of photos of it being taken off and rivet a seperate new one stamped on a new plate on the slam panel and just keep the original at home for proof.as for fumes entering the cab you have two choices, either dont remove it or take the risk, you could put a full cowl over the heater with a two and an half inch pipe coming from it to the inner wing area so air gets drawn from between the inner and outer wing, clean air instead of anything from the engine bay, its what im doing anyway.