HiPac Access Panels

Written by misterecks

Anyone who has run twin carbs in a beetle will know fitting and tuning them can be a real pain also access to the front two spark plugs becomes almost non existent! To deal with these problems the brilliant Mr Hook of Hooky's Panel Shop developed HiPacs access panels and as far as I'm concerned they are the only way to go if you intend to run a twin carb set up.

HiPacs consist of a heavy gauge mild steel frame that welds to the inner wing and a stainless steel cover that bolts to the frame...

Fitting these access panels is a fairly straight forward job but you do need to have the engine out and it helps if the rear wings are also removed.

First up the frame is offered up to the inside of the inner wing, it sits on top of the engine side tray flange and can only really go in one place.

With the frame positioned a marker pen is used to mark the inside of the frame and then a line is made about an inch in from that line. This line is the first cut line, the inch of extra metal is left to soak up some of the heat from the welding.

Next up, mark and drill the bolt holes to line up with the threaded holes in the frame. although the mounting screws are M6 these holes should be drilled M8 to allow a little "wriggle room". One the frame can be bolted in place and you are happy with the fit the metal can be cut from the inner wing. It helps to have the metal cut out at this stage as you might need to clamp the frame and body together in places. With the cutting out done a series of holes can now be drilled where the frame sits for plug welding

Frame fitted up and metal removed, I had to nip them closer together in a couple of place.

Frame plug welded in place, notice plenty of penetration!

Plug welds from the other side.

Welds cleaned up.

extra metal remove and all the edges cleaned up and smoothed off.

And the cover fitted.

Last Updated on Saturday, 21 November 2009 11:55