How can I keep the cold draft coming in through the frunk's hinge/brackets? Is there a way to seal these openings, either in the frunk or inside the cabin?
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Well, the CMC build manual gives two complementary parts that cut it down a bit.
Part one is inside the frunk:
The second part was up under the dash and used a couple of custom-made hood hinge covers to seal off that opening from the inside. Those look like this, called a Plastic Support Cover Box and I "glued" mine in with a generous bead of body filler. Silicon Caulk or even Locktite Industrial adhesive would have been an easier way.
Then, the last place to look is the weather strip for the hood. For that, make sure it seals all around the frunk (1/2" diameter "D" tubing seems to work well) but you'll still get some air in the opening for the hood latch - I've never come up with a good seal for that, but installing those boxes make a big difference.
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Hinge box covers with dimensions -
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That's what I have now on my 2015 Vintage Speedster. Need to seal it up even further.
Ooops. Misunderstood the drawing. Sorry.
As you can see in the drawn illustrations, those spiffy hinge boxes are open at the top. I suppose they're intended to be glued in against the firewall and the top inside of the body under the dash, but they come up a couple of inches short. 🤬 - Thank you CMC!
I got up in there with some strips of really sticky duct tape, slipped it up over the top of the box and down the sides enough to close off that opening and stop the air from coming in. That helped a lot.
Any idea where to purchase a set of boxes? Tried Vintage Motorcars, but nada. And I think CMC is long gone.
Years ago I measured and put dimensions on the boxes. I don't think they came with my '89 CMC - think I got them from someone else building a CMC and not using them.
Make some out of cardboard (or thin hardboard/balsa wood). Follow the dimensions from mine. Hot glue cardboard together. Coat with fiberglass cloth and resin (maybe both sides) and install. Using cardboard you can adjust the shape.
^^^^ This is the way ^^^^
After you make the box, you can glue some rubber with a slit in it to the frunk side. It will give additional sealing from the cold air as @Gordon Nichols diagram shows.
rubber CV boot slid over the hinge and riveted to the cowl
What worked really well for me on my VS Speedster was two pieces of 1/4" thick neoprene from an old wetsuit. Just cut it to shape with a slit in the center and contact glue them on..............Bruce
That wet suit material, glued to the inside of the Frunk and surrounding the hinge, or the CV joint boot slipped over the hood part of the hinge and attached to the firewall, sounds like the easiest way home.
Glueing a box up in there, believe me, is not an easy task because of other stuff that gets in the way, especially on the Driver's side. Not to mention that, once those boxes are glued in there, you can no longer access the hinge pivot bolt. To remove the hood you would unbolt it from the hinge, leaving the hinge attached to the car. Just mark some scribe lines on hinge and hood to relocate it after putting the boot on.
That @chines1 dude is one clever fellow...... He should start a business!
Wet suit material for sale on the 'zon.