Engine Bay, A Sea of Distractions Part One
- Buddy Faulk
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Most classic cars, especially daily drivers that have been partially restored, have nice paint and interior. However, in the engine bay, it often has some neglected areas or is filled with exaggerated adornments.
It’s very easy to get caught up in what I call “Shiny Stuff”. All parts catalogs and websites sell many different chrome and brightly colored accessories. These parts are readily available, mostly affordable, and easy to install. They grab our attention, and over time, piece by piece, they are installed, creating visual distractions. Sometimes we can have too much Santa Claws. Excessive decorations can subconsciously impair the brain's ability to process the overall appearance, leading to decreased attention. The brain has to work harder to filter out visual clutter, which can cause cognitive fatigue and affect the overall perception of your vehicle. This can leave some judges at car shows with a negative impression, which can lead to a lower score.
The engine bay should reflect your vehicle's overall appearance and theme, and include time-period components. A little bit of chrome can go a long way, while different colors may not always blend with other accessories. In most cases, keeping it simple is the best option.
The following are distractions in engine bays that I find. I do understand that everyone has their own taste and won't agree with me completely. The centerpiece of your engine bay's overall appearance should be the engine. A lot of random accessories can distract and compete with the primary focus.
Hose Covers and Sleeves
Chrome and braided hose sleeving with clamp covers are very distracting. They create a cheap and artificial impression in most cases. If your vehicle is a hot rod or a high-performance vehicle, fuel and heater hoses made from Braided black or stainless steel hose with an AN fitting would be a better option, as they will have a realistic appearance. If your vehicle is stock, plain black hoses with a factory appearance will present better if routed with a sense of flow.
Wire Covering
Wiring is the most neglected component on classic vehicles. Old wiring should be replaced and covered with inconspicuous coverings. A vinyl non-adhesive wrap or a black woven split-wire loom is an excellent choice, especially for classic cars. GM-style split corrugated wire loom should only be used on 1970s to 2000s GM vehicles, along with proper fittings. Black electrical tape is a poor choice for wire covering or as a transition for a branch circuit. For some highly modified Restomods, hiding wires can create a clean appearance. On the other hand, a stock engine bay requires the wiring to be visible; if it is not, this may give the impression that something is missing.
Spark Plug Wires
Black spark plug wires are always a good choice; they blend in and don't compete with body color or other painted components. Yellow wires can give your engine bay a classic '60s- and '70s-era high-performance look. Red, blue, and different colored wires should only be used if they do not clash with the body color. No matter the color of the wires, they should be routed in an organized manner and secured with the appropriate hardware.
In part two, we will discuss Chrome accessories, bolts/fasteners, engine bay colors, and air cleaners. If you need professional services for your engine bay, please visit faulkccr.com Engine Compartment Transformations.