Video: Get a Glimpse Into a Running Engine
I remember the time when I was attempting to accelerate up a hill and felt a dip in RPM followed by a big “BOOM.” I sure wish I had this handy modification on my car so I could’ve easily peeked into the engine’s inner workings to better predict– or prevent– its demise. Well, sort of. The custom transparent oil pan and valve cover seen in the below video held up to the engine pressure, but only just long enough for viewers to sneak a peek into the running engine.
This video was posted by Garage 54 around three years ago, but we’re sharing it again for the sake of good ol’ fashioned educational entertainment.
The engine we’re looking at is in a Lada Riva. The transparent valve cover and oil pan is made with the assistance of a large plastic shape-forming vacuum machine. It takes the guys a minute to experiment with different materials and thicknesses to get a figure-hugging fit around the new valve cover and oil pan. Once made, the plastic oil pan is joined with the original pan’s metal flange so the original fasteners could be used. The valve cover is simply sealed with window sealer, a big clue to what will happen next.
The team adds oil to the engine and all appears well. The engine is started, and after a brief panic, more oil is added, which levels out the aerating oil. Everything appeared to be running fine, until it wasn’t, but it sure did look cool:
Transparent rocker cover and sump to look inside a working engine youtu.be