Re-Doing Engine Cover...

[AbunDiga909]

I've thought for a while that the engine covers look and feel pretty cheap, esp. compared to the rest of the boat. I really don't like how thin and weak the plastic is, I feel like it's going to melt every time the engine revs high. I've wanted to do something about it, but never got around to it. Until... at the end of the season, the ZR6 sticker, just came off, lost its stick, its glue... gone...

So now I took the engine cover off, and it's been sitting in my bedroom since Nov. I've want to do something to the engine, to make it look a little less stock, more creative, yet simple, and most importatnly, stronger, and NOT plastic, if possible.

Regarding the pic. below, I'm NOT saying I want mine to look like this, but I really do like the creativity and the uniqueness of this. I can't tell if it's metal or plastic. Either way, I'm wondering how it was made, and if its possible for a person in my position to do.

My ideal situation, to make a metal "replica" of the stock engine cover, and then be able to custom paint it... But, at this point, I really don't know what I'm talking about b/c I have no idea what's involved, like price, materials, procedures, etc.. So thats where you guys come in... If you could give me some ideas and info as far as making a new engine cover, I'd really appreciate it...

Thanks in advance...

~Austin

[skinautique]

RE: Re-Doing Engine Cover...

that is the plastic cover painted. there is no problem with the plastic cover. every manufacturer uses them

[AbunDiga909]

RE: Re-Doing Engine Cover...

I know there's no real problem, the only problem is me not being 100% satisfied w/ it. I think its kinda lame that my sticker fell off. I mean, c'mon, I buy a Nautique, and my stickers fall off? Was there a super-glue option we missed on the price sheet?

I know this is not necissary, this is just for fun, and I'd call this my 'research' to find out if it's at all possible to at least experiment with. I really have no clue where to start, but I know I wan't to make something happen. I'm hopeing someone can point me in the right direction... I'd like the finished product to be a little more 'rough-and-tough' than the plastic one we all have now, that's where the metal replica came to mind, something with a little weight at least...

[skinautique]

RE: Re-Doing Engine Cover...

warranty the decal. they will take care of it

[AbunDiga909]

RE: Re-Doing Engine Cover...

ski, sorry if I was unclear, the point of this is not to fix my sticker problem. Not only would I be a little embarrased asking my dealer to go through the warantee/service troubles, just for a sticker, but like I said, this is all for fun. I want to do something on my own for once, and the sticker falling off, was just the icing on the cake for me to say, 'ok, now I'll take it off and we'll do some research.'

I just want to find out what my options are, not to fix my sticker problem, but to get/make a new and different style engine cover... I think flimsy plastic should be found on a bayliner...

[skinautique]

cool. just thought i would let you know that you can warranty that. good luck on your project though

[AbunDiga909]

lol, thanks... at this point my project rests in the hands on the info I get from this site...

[Hollywood]

Do you really need someone to tell you to go buy a can of spray paint? It's not all that "custom" when someone tells you what to do to "your" boat. Go to www.candlewoodcustoms.com they have lots of custom Nautiques on Candlewood.

[bkhallpass]

Just an FYI, that is an Engine Shroud, not an engine cover.

BKH

[AbunDiga909]

Alright, this obviously was a bad idea of mine to make something look cool and different and take it up a notch in quality... I'll promise never to think outside of the box and be innovative again... **** it...

[dave210]

who really studies the engine that much the only time i look at mine is to open the ballst valves

[jthooker]

Abun,
I think these guys are just pulling your chain a little.
Don’t give up your idea of a pimped out engine shroud.
Maybe Grant can give you some ideas for a heavier, super-strong carbon fiber shroud with flashing LED’s that keep time to the engine RPM’s. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[AbunDiga909]

Hah, funny, it was Grant and his work that made me originally think of this. In fact, it's usually Grant and his work that make me think of anything. And in this case specifically, I thought it would be very possible for Grant to make this Engine Shroud (thanks BKH) out of Carbon Fiber. Therefore, I thought it could then be made out of other materials. Dare I copy Grant and take his carbon fiber ideas... lol

To me the engine is very important I know it's not seen 90% of the time but if I didn't care for the engine we'd probably have a 330. Once when the boat "broke down," when it was relatively new, (it happened that my uncle just knocked the kill plug out), we took a look at the engine, and some guy went, "Wow! I could eat off of this thing!" I took that as one of the best compliments I've gotten.... It's up there w/ "Was this boat on Pimp My Ride?" and "How much did this cost?"... ;-)

[DRAGON88]

It shouldn't be that hard to do, I mean just take measurements as to where you need the holes on the current engine cover and go from there. If you have access to some thin gauge sheet metal and someone with a little bit of knowledge you could essentially make it whatever you want. I mean there's no step by step way to do this except for draw out what you want to do then reverse engineer it to figure it out. Don't be afraid to innovate, I mean if you've got the money and resources to do it the know how is out there to learn from. I'm sure someone could have a mold made and lay it up in CF, but it will be VERY expensive to do that, especially to pay someone to machine a mold for it...

My advise is to first draw it out and figure out what you want, then secondly figure out if it's possible, if it's not then go back to the drawing board and revise it so it works.

Just my two cents.

This thread reminds me that I still have some things to do before summer starts... lol

[Bremsen]

Abun, I suggest you start here:
http://www.fibreglast.com/

There are some videos and books there that will get you started with techniques, materials, etc. You can also check out car stereo forums for tips/info on fiberglass.

You can make a mold of your cover, either out of some of this new mold 'rubber', foam or regular old Plaster of Paris. Then create a new replica cover in fiberglass. You can then 'tweek' it with more fg/kitty hair, bondo, etc to get the look you want. Or you can create a new cover by making a frame, covering it in fleece and fiberglassing it.

Anyway, good luck and I hope this gives you the incentive to go for it.

-Ryan