Let's see, where did I leave off? I've been out of town 5 times since last update 2 months ago. Engine wiring is all cleaned up and mostly extended, so I figured I should finish engine box fab. I chopped up some free book shelves:
and used the tack function on my new MIG to glue them together for passenger side:
then made as close to mirror image as I could for driver side:
then clamped them in and temporarily positioned the unfinished top panels:
Artist rendition below shows that the engine box will seal to the vertical panel below rear glass. I will cut most of that vertical panel away so the back of the engine box is open to the low-pressure area at the base of the rear glass. The stock body has a vented exterior panel there, which is where the OE Corvair engine pulled its combustion and cooling air from:
in the side view, the top of the engine box is below the greenhouse, and the only part to protrude forward of the quarter is the air duct / console. Also of note, in this pic the drivers seat is all the way rearward. this car will accommodate the big and tall:
And I figured out where to mount the coolant degas bottle. It will live in the corner of the engine box, up high in the front right corner. In the top view below, you can see that both heater hose nipples point in that general direction, and it will be easy to re-plumb if I decide to add heat or defrost:
I've also come up with a way to implement the "header bags" that either Stafford or Gumby suggested. My apologies for not remembering which of you big-brained guys made that suggestion. They'll probably be fed from scoops under the floor, but I can pull from center air duct as well if necessary.
I can say I'm highly encouraged by how quickly the new propane torpedo warms up the garage. I still hate winter, but I'm feeling better about my working conditions.