Engine side panels

[Davemate]

Whilst mucking about with my carbs I am finding that the side panels are becoming a right pain due to the airbox and trying to get to the jets.I don't have any cooling problems at the moment. Will it do any harm if I remove the panels and fit spitfire rad support rods instead.
I know it's a good thing to have panels in front of the rad but are they essential behind it.

[stillnotfinnished]

on my herald with twin carbs i just cut down the panel, looks fine if you did'nt know better :)

[Davemate]

I was thinking about cutting them down,but I got a pair of rods off eb$y for a £5
so if it's ok to remove them completely I would rather do that
If not I'll be trimming !

[Clive]

Keep as much as you reasonably can of the panels. I think they help cooling. Others will no doubt disagree!

[Davemate]

Looking at canleys cooling parts picture the 1500 spit is not fitted with the rear panels,only the front ones
Which is why I thought it might be a benefit if I removed them,apart from easier access to the carbs

[heraldcoupe]

The Spitfire stays will only locate the top of the radiator, so you will need to fabricate some form of mounting at the bottom.

Heralds are pretty good from a cooling perspective, but then there aren't many which lack the side valances to test theories on that front. The side valances prevent mud and water getting thrown up the sides of the engine, which is as good a reason as any I can think of for keeping them.

Cheers,
Bill.

[JohnD]

AS Bill says, the purpose of the panels is to keep road muck out of the engine.  I'ev done with out them throrugh three Vitesses, with no probs.  Here's a pic of SofS in its pre-Pi stage with no panel and a fabricated radiator stay.
John

[heraldcoupe]

Slight difference with the Vitesse John, it's lower mounts are directly onto the chassis. Both upper and lower mounts on the Herald are onto the valances.
By no means insurmountable, but a bit more work,

Cheers,
Bill.