Re: Crazy idea...

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2011/12/3 15:20:59

Just looking for some more crazy ideas... especially ones that have been turned into reality and actually worked-- or didn't work in a spectacular way.

Unfortunately, I can only offer the following ideas as "what-ifs."

1. What if one were to replace the road tube on a vintage engine with a hose plumbed into the air cleaner housing for instant PVC? Would there need to be further modification or a PVC valve to make this seat-of-the-pants pollution control work? Not just thinking of the pollution here, but the advantages of alleviating fumes at idle, and adding the benefits of an oil fog through the engine intake?

Has anyone ever tried to install catalytic converters on vintage car exhausts? Would it require a leaner mixture, different timing/distributor curves to prevent overloading the converters, or perhaps multiple converters (with the "pre-converter" setup used on some modern cars). Or would it just require slappin' a couple in and seein' if they worked? I've also considered whether straight pipes (no mufflers) and catalytic converters would result in a cool rumble or just be too loud (in other words, how much sound control do catalytic converters contribute)?

In the semi-practical realm, converters need heat shields, especially if they run under the floors of the passenger compartment. On the Senior '55 and '56 V8 Packards, one could get rid of the resonators and have a convenient spot for converters of similar size and shape. Some heat shielding would still be needed, but transfer of any heat into the passenger compartment would be eliminated.

I've often considered making these two mods workable on a pre-pollution control car. Partly just to do it, and partly to feel piously ultra-responsible with my toys. So I can brag and preen and bask in compliments, you know.

It seems like both ideas, done with little or no forethoughtt (remember these are crazy ideas and most fun when they are done in haste) could result in some really neat explosions and/or asphyxiations.