Tohatsu cowls

[Art K]

Anybody got any suggestions to save the cowl on the Hatsu if you blow over.I personally know of at least 6 inthe last 2 years. Cost too replace is approx.$400.00. The last one I seen lost had 4 of the heavy duty rubber tie downs, that Alex P. supplies. Ireally wonder if their is way to fasten the cowls so they will stay on during a wreck. I think we need some type of flotation device. Their is really not a lot of room under the cowl for foam without restricting air flow to the carbs.
Art K

[blueskyracer]

Anybody got any suggestions to save the cowl on the Hatsu if you blow over.I personally know of at least 6 inthe last 2 years. Cost too replace is approx.$400.00. The last one I seen lost had 4 of the heavy duty rubber tie downs, that Alex P. supplies. Ireally wonder if their is way to fasten the cowls so they will stay on during a wreck. I think we need some type of flotation device. Their is really not a lot of room under the cowl for foam without restricting air flow to the carbs.
Art K

How about a safety cable like they do on the hoods of cars that race in NASCAR.

[Fast Jack]

Hood Pin

I am going to put a hood pin on mine . I am going to weld a nut to the factory lifting ring (aft of the flywheel) and use an automotive hood pin. By loosening the lifting rings mounting bolt I think this will alow a little flop to align the cowl. Shawn

[Jack Stotts]

Shawn, won't that leave you with a loose nut up top? Couldn't resist. The other Jack.

[Howie Nichols]

Shep had posted a reply but its gone now??

In the V-6 classes we have the top pins, during a blow over they help rip the cowling in half most of the time. They don't help...

[Flint54]

Haven't tested it but what about something like Dynamat. Used for sound dampening but should also float and it is less than a 1/4" thick. It is somewhat on the pricy side but just an idea.

[Andrew 4CE]

I've never even seen one in person... but can a mustang self-inflating type PFD be dismantled and used in some way? Those CO2 charged things... ?

[Dave M]

Simple Solution

Don't crash.

I don't think there is a easy way to prevent these, any type of pin, or saftey chain is going to crack the cheap cover. They are only plastic or fiberglass, so they will break easy in a crash.

Suggestion, have someone take a mold off the original, and make them for a hundred bucks from Eglass and maybe some kevlar. Cheap materials, and probably only take a few hours to build. Would not recommend this for APBA stock though, they are pretty restrictive on what you can and can't do. You can't even paint your gearcase in some classes. Might take 25 pages of discussion to come to a disagreement with after market cowls.

[blueskyracer]

Don't crash.

Would not recommend this for APBA stock though, they are pretty restrictive on what you can and can't do. You can't even paint your gearcase in some classes. Might take 25 pages of discussion to come to a disagreement with after market cowls.

Thats funny but the truth. LOL Why not just take the cowl off and run with a shield around the carbs like a mod motor?? I suppose another 25 pages or don't crash

[Alan Owen]

Floatation is probably the only way. Maybe some spray foam with epoxy over it. at least you might have something left to duct tape for temp.
Alan

[Dave M]

Ya Right

Thats funny but the truth. LOL Why not just take the cowl off and run with a shield around the carbs like a mod motor?? I suppose another 25 pages or don't crash

Some folks tried to remove the restriction in FAH (Mod Class) on requiring a cowl. They even went so far as to ask for it to be able to have a racing tower housing and just use the powerhead like most of the Mod classes. I guess the stock, I mean mod commission did not like the idea back then. I think someone wanted to even put pipes on it and see what happened.

[ram95]

Anybody got any suggestions to save the cowl on the Hatsu if you blow over.I personally know of at least 6 inthe last 2 years. Cost too replace is approx.$400.00. The last one I seen lost had 4 of the heavy duty rubber tie downs, that Alex P. supplies. Ireally wonder if their is way to fasten the cowls so they will stay on during a wreck. I think we need some type of flotation device. Their is really not a lot of room under the cowl for foam without restricting air flow to the carbs.
Art K

Holy krappoly.... I haven't heard about that one, ie a cowl with 4 cowl-teez installed coming off?? I will refund the price of the cowl-teez and offer to get the person a new top cowl for $319 if that's the case.

Alex
"for Competition Only" email: netohatsu@myfairpoint.net