Front end Wheel Well Covers. Quality?

[Spool]

I've been cleaning my engine bay along with my repairs and it's upsetting to watch it get so dirty after some rain.

This was to be expected of course, but now I'm looking for some quick covers on a budget and was very surprised to see them go for about $30 apiece.

Any tips to share from anyone regarding installation or vendor?

[VileZambonie]

Not sure what you are looking for. Can you clarify?

[Mike81K10]

Do you mean wheel covers like the pic I attached? If yes, I did a search online to get the pic and many places have them. If you mean car covers, local department stores is best for a cheap cover.

[Mr Diesel]

I'm assuming you mean these (rubber inner splash shield):

https://www.usa1industries.com/1981-87-fullsize-chevy-gmc-truck-inner-fender-splash-shield-lh-2wd.html

I bought some a few years ago on Ebay. Surprisingly expensive. As soon as I pulled them out of the box I realized I could probably buy rubber by the foot at a farm store or Lowes for cheaper and just cut to fit.

[Spool]

Apologies guys. I had forgotten to turn on 'notify' for this post.

Appreciate your time and comments.
I'm looking for the 'wheelhouse' to cover the wheel, and protecting the engine bay from dirt, water, etc.

Like this for example:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/gmk-gm1246101v/applications/make/chevrolet/year/1973/model/c20-pickup

I won't use Summit, but still shopping.

I was actually coming back to specify another question too.
Do you think my engine will struggle to cool once I close off the air coming in from the wheel wells?

[Spool]

Or a 'wheel tub' as seen on Brothers: (But I'm looking for the front end.)
https://www.brotherstrucks.com/1973-87-CHEVYGMC-TRUCK-INNER-WHEEL-TUB-PANEL-BRACE/productinfo/IWT87IN/LEFT/

[VileZambonie]

They are called inner fenders. http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=7&Category_Code=7F

[Spool]

Excellent. Thank you Vile!

Do you have inner fenders? Any tips?

I've enjoyed not having them for accessibility when doing repairs over the years.
But, will now enjoy not having a dirty engine bay as well.

The idea is that I can remove them during future repairs if need be- (if I find it's an easy thing to pop in and out.)

Do you think this will heat my engine a few degrees by cutting air flow off?

[VileZambonie]

All of these trucks have inner fenders, so in your case, someone removed them as they are supposed to be there. Yes absolutely you need them and if you need to remove them, it's usually a 15 min job.

[Spool]

Yeah, I knew they were stock.

I think the guys before me were going for a rat-rod thing.
They didn't hesitate to rip a lot of things off, to be honest.

I'm more curious to know if I should expect my temp gauge to show a slightly higher temp.

[VileZambonie]

Static pressure vs dynamic pressure? You are definitely going to pull more air volume through the grille with inner fenders in place when it matters but more importantly, they serve many purposes and need to be there. Unfortunately, these trucks have been molested in many negative ways

[frotosride]

Static pressure vs dynamic pressure? You are definitely going to pull more air volume through the grille with inner fenders in place when it matters but more importantly, they serve many purposes and need to be there. Unfortunately, these trucks have been molested in many negative ways

Oh the truth behind this... The one that gets me is everyone that says their square body is a mud truck removes the inner fenders. If it was only there to keep the engine bay clean I'd leave them let alone the rest of the engineering put into them.

[Spool]

Interesting. Beyond the obvious of a clean bay and protective against incoming debris to the engine, are there other purposes for the inner fenders?

Excuse my nativity when asking, what do you mean static pressure vs dynamic pressure?

[JohnnyPopper]

So if you have a stock fan and shroud I don't think the replacement of inner fenders will impede the flow of air enough to raise your temperature.

Don't know what VZ means on static vs dynamic, curious to find out 

[VileZambonie]

If you are talking aerodynamics, static pressure is equal until the vehicle is moving. Any change in the flow of air over, under and through the grill will change if you start removing body parts. Nevertheless, the main reason is obvious, you want protection from road debris. Your tires are slingers for anything they come into contact with.