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Sterling #416 -- Nic's custom build

ratrog64

Well-known member
Roof vent.

Over all I was happy with the shape but I wanted to make it longer so it extended further forward to near the windshield like the Zonda.

I was going to install a could of AC vents like those used in the dash to direct the air flow where I wanted it. I was also going to make a foam plug with a fiberglass face plate to insert into the vent for when I wasn't needing it open. I like your idea of the mechanical vent.

In the end I wasn't 100% sold on the look so I put it on a back burner and figured I could always revisit the idea.

I'm not sold on the shape of yours being a crescent design. To me it looks a little awkward as it is the only piece on the car that has that shape. The rest of the car has flatter surfaces.
 
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RangerBEH

Member
People are going to go nuts when you turn on the car and vents and other parts start moving like an aircraft systems check 👍
 

Nic

Active member
I picked up a brand new server for $12 and got a 12V to 6V converter, wired it up. It will live on a metal panel that kinda runs the length of the center channel in the canopy roof. Everything is mounted to the metal panel in such a way that it slides right up inside the oval opening. I don't have a picture of that just yet.

I designed the vent grill and vent door and started printing the door last night. I got about half way through the print and the stepper motors started over heating. I have the printer enclosed, and I think that caused the over heating. I'll have to try again tonight with the enclosure open.

This is what layer shift looks like. That bit of spaghetti is the layer shift. The brace with the round "bump" on it is supposed to be at the edge of the part. Thats almost an inch and a half shift :( .
 

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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
I have an idea about a roof vent, inspired by the McLaren F1. Here's a drawing.



I'm thinking about making the vent opening 10" wide and 2" tall at the center. Giving it this look.



It'll vent into the car through the old manual latch holes that are still there and I'll design and print a nice trim ring for the holes, maybe even another round grill, like the hips vent grill.






Maybe a naca vent would look better.

In my eyes a scoop sticking out of the top of the car just doesn't look like it belongs on the car
naca scoop.jpeg
 

ratrog64

Well-known member
That's why I put mine on hold when I did. Just couldn't come up with a shape I was happy with. Maybe the roof just doesn't lend its self to the idea due to its overall shape. A naca duct could be cool but you'd want to make sure it can drain itself. Or maybe in the end a roof vent just isn't a good idea. Hurry up and figure it out so I don't have to spend any more time thinking about it on my next car!
 

Brett Proctor

Well-known member
A naca duct could be cool but you'd want to make sure it can drain itself. Or maybe in the end a roof vent just isn't a good idea. Hurry up and figure it out so I don't have to spend any more time thinking about it on my next car!


I was told once it was a stupid idea to put intermittent wipers on a car that will never be driven in the rain. Same thinking is applied here I guess. Why worry about drainage if it will never see the rain.

Well lets just say that there is a chance of driving this car in the rain. First a design would have to be drawn up to see how all the plumbing is going to work and how all the mechanics will fit.

The simplest solution without seeing any of these things would be to install a drain tube.

There are other ways that could be done, but not knowing the design and how the vent will be routed into the car I'll just post this for now.

You said you were thinking of putting a scoop up there, how were you going to get that to drain??

sterling dims2a.JPG
 

letterman7

Honorary Admin
Mk1 Nova's had roof vents at the rear of the canopy. They were more "pressure release" than anything, taking flow from the forced fan air inside and directing it out. The inner openings to the cockpit were offset from the outer openings and technically wouldn't allow water in unless a hose was directed into the outer vent. Drain was the canopy itself; ever notice if your locating pins on the lower part of the canopy have a hole at the bottom? The body indent would also have a hole... there's your drain. Over time those holes were closed up during manufacture at CCC.
 

Brett Proctor

Well-known member
ever notice if your locating pins on the lower part of the canopy have a hole at the bottom? The body indent would also have a hole... there's your drain. Over time those holes were closed up during manufacture at CCC.

I was thinking that would be the ideal place to route the drain tubes to.

So its been done.

Any idea why they stopped using that roof vent??
 

letterman7

Honorary Admin
Don't know for sure. I don't think the interior vent "covers" were very sturdy (i.e. the vents would always be open). And it rains alot in the UK :). From what I understand they did leak to a point if the rain was hard enough.
 

Nic

Active member
I missed those last few comments last time I posted. I'll have to go back and have a looksee.

Been working on redesigning the Speedo/Tach/Fuel gauge pod, didn't like how far it stuck out, and I had an interesting idea using my 3D printer.

Started with two 3" ABS couplers and a 2" ABS coupler, same as last incarnation and printed ABS rings.
I printed 4 rings to fit inside the ABS couplers, 2 blue and 2 "clear". Inside the couplers, I ground out the ring that is half way through. The blue ring is the stop for the threaded body that hold the gauge in. I'm terrible with words right now, sorry. The "clear" ring is offset about 5mm, enough of an offset to get Green side emitting LED strip in between. Hole is drilled to pass wires though. LED's lit. Each will be wired into the turn indicators. Green ring around the Tach will flash for Left turn and Green ring around Spedo will flash for Right turn.



Laying out the backing plate these 3 gauges will be epoxied to.



And done. Today I received Red side emitting LED strip that will light the clear ring around the fuel gauge as an idiot light low fuel indicator. That will get wired in some time this week.







Blue LED high beam indicator will go on the backing plate somewhere.

I stalled out on the vent construction, but hope to pick it up again soon. I was having some difficulty deciding on the shape and length of the vent, and how to construct it. I made a foam buck that needs to be shaped and filled in spots, then I'll try vaccu-forming some ABS over it.
 

Nic

Active member
11 years.

11 years without cracking my windshield.

Until last Saturday night.

:mad:*very frustrated*
 

islandman

Member
11 years.

11 years without cracking my windshield.

Until last Saturday night.

:mad:*very frustrated*

OMG, I feel your pain....been there, done that *very frustrated*

Where is the crack, is it repairable ? (mine turned out to be)
 
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