DEALING WITH THE HEAT
SHAKEDOWN CRUISE
CRASH TESTING


Installed a multi layered heat shield/access panel over the engine compartment above the exhaust manifold to keep as much heat as possible out of the bedroom. Then installed Dynamat over the engine compartment and air intake at the back of the Bus. Dynamat is a heavy aluminum sheet with a very sticky tar-like backing. It absorbs vibration and is the first step in minimizing engine noise inside. Next will be a layer of fiberglass (heat and sound) and then a 3/4" plywood finish wall. Density is the key to sound control. The plywood will be  installed by gluing it to dense foam strips which will, in turn be glued to the Dynamax, so the finished wall will be structurally isolated from the engine compartment. More pix as this progresses.

As you may have noticed, I've been trying to leave only one space between a period (.) and the next sentence. I belatedly discovered that this is the accepted standard in writing and that two spaces is an antiquated hold-over from the manual typewriter days.

Spent the last week wiring up the on-the-road stuff. Tail lights, brake, turn, headlights, wiper motors, etc. Put on the 1956 Michigan license plate, fired up the ole DD 671 and took her out on the road for the first time since bringing her home 13 months ago. It was a rush! 

Here's a profile pic. As you can see we returned safely from our first shakedown cruise. The interior walls are up, but I haven't installed new windows yet, so you can see the plywood through those that will be tinted dark. 


 
We also did some crash testing to ensure the seats were secure.  Unfortunately, I forgot to fasten the seat belt on the crash dummy, so we got some unexpected results.  Bottom line though - the seats are secure! 

I'd like to thank to my brother Daryl for saving me $400,000 for a REAL test dummy.