[GasCan]

Does anyone make a nice cover for those ugly looking Ford solenoids? I have a smoothed firewall in my 55 Chev and had to hide that eyesore from view but it makes for a royal pain if you ever have to service it...so I'm thinking of relocating it higher up on the firewall but would like to find a nice plastic or aluminum cover that will surround it? Surely someone must have made a cover to hide these things? Anyone know of a manufacture ?

[ogre]

move it.
why would you have a ford solenoid on a chevy any how?
a shaved firewall requires a shaved wire harness

[EOD Guy]

I've used something like this to hide ugly things brfore........

New Aluminum Project Box Enclosure Case Electronic DIY 110x92x55mm L w H | eBay

[sedanbob]

You could make a cover out of fiberglass. Cut some cardboard, tape it together, maybe leave the bottom open for your wiring. When you get the shape/size you want, tape it to a large piece of cardboard covered everything with aluminum foil - wax the foil so the fiberglass will release later. Mix up some resin, brush it on the foil covered cardboard - cover it with fiberglass mat - dab on more resin - more mat, more resin. When you have about 3 layers, let it all set up. Peel it off the foil, trim the edges, but maybe leave a flange to screw to your firewall. Sand it smooth - use body filler to fill-in and smooth - paint. It really isn't much harder than that. Good luck.

[GasCan]

Originally Posted by ogre

move it.
why would you have a ford solenoid on a chevy any how?
a shaved firewall requires a shaved wire harness

Trust me...all of my wiring is hidden.



I'm using the solenoid to keep the heat of my large tube stainless header from killing my hot starts but the solenoid was mounted down low behind the passenger side front body brace and it's a ***** to get at once the front clip is all installed. Now that I'm redoing the motor I an thinking of relocating it out to the top edge of the toe board where at least I can get at it if needed. It'll then sit just below the smoothed firewall and If I make a cover for it, nothing will be visible but it'll still be accessible.

Thinking that making one from glass is a good idea. Thanks for that tip Sedan Bob.

[carolinacustoms]

I had a random thought looking at your picture, I don't know how it would look but I thought I would mention it. How about cutting the end off of a valve cover (say 3-4 inches long)? Something similar to the one on the car or just a plain steel one that you could paint to match the car? You could use stainless screws to hold it in place and it should give enough room to hide the solenoid with almost no fab work. Again just a random thought.

Kelly

[RWENUTS]

Try these guys for an adaptable cover.
Custom Car Club Plaques from O'Brien Truckers

[sedanbob]

Originally Posted by carolinacustoms

I had a random thought looking at your picture, I don't know how it would look but I thought I would mention it. How about cutting the end off of a valve cover (say 3-4 inches long)? Something similar to the one on the car or just a plain steel one that you could paint to match the car? You could use stainless screws to hold it in place and it should give enough room to hide the solenoid with almost no fab work. Again just a random thought.

Kelly

That's a clever idea!

[ogre]

sedanbob has a good suggestion. wrap it in foil and glass it.

[malc]

Hid mine.......................in the trunk.
I made the aluminum cover when it was in a different location,
did have a cover too.

[70Caprician]

I think that solenoid is kind of cute, myself...

(Got one in both my '70 Caprice and my '71 Thunderbird, proudly displayed on the inner fender panel.)

[vicrod]

There are some folks on this site that say the Ford solenoid helps prevent "starter heat soak". I am not convinced. I have never heard a good explanation.
The other reasons for the Ford solenoid are 1- The main cable to the starter is not energized except during starting when the solenoid is energized. 2- A hidden button that energizes the solenoid during starting can serve as a security device.
Header shields and ventilation are cures for starter heat soak.

vicrod

[Moedog07]

Originally Posted by 70Caprician

I think that solenoid is kind of cute, myself...

(Got one in both my '70 Caprice and my '71 Thunderbird, proudly displayed on the inner fender panel.)

I sport mine on the firewall of my '55 also.

[malc]

I´m surprised the custom crowd don´t have a chromed cover for these things.
I did a search and came up with nothing.