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Date:         Mon, 19 Nov 2001 21:59:52 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Metal engine lids vs plastic
In-Reply-To:  <3BF8897E.7870927D@qwest.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>Man, oh man. I wasn't misunderstanding. I, too, have poked around lots >and lots of Vans and other busses, but have never encountered the >plastic lid. Isn't it noisy? Is it strong enough to ensure a load? What >happens in the event of an engine fire? Torched passengers? Doesn't >sound safe. Why would you want to have a plastic engine compartment lid? >Weight savings? Manufacturing cost? Sounds like a dumb idea. I say buy a >metal one from Chris... > >AB

My 84 Caravelle had a white plastic lid. Light, always looking tidy, but no shield in the event of a fire. Which is why I brought a metal one in from Germany. MUCH heavier, but safer (though a fire will burn the seal away and enter the cargo bay, its access will be restricted to the narrow gap resulting, rather than roaring in through a half-meter-square opening).

The plastic one is strong enough and doesn't let much noise through; my van (admittedly with a GM-H V6) was pretty quiet.

If you want a NICE lid, go plastic. If you want a heavy clumsy SAFE clunker, go steel. A pickup (doka) lid is a normal steel one with a wood top attached; the wood can be removed for use in a van.


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