Abstract:
The present technology provides a kit for shrouding a stock engine to make it appear as a flathead engine, the kit comprising a timing cover casting, a front casting, a pair of exhaust manifold panel castings, a pair of valve cover castings, a pair of support bars, an intake manifold casting, a rear casting, and instructions. Also provided are a method of manufacturing the kit, a method of assembling the kit and a faux flathead engine.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/195,816, filed 23 Jul. 2015, entitled FLATHEAD ENGINE SHROUD FOR A SMALL BLOCK ENGINE. The above-identified priority patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present technology relates to a shroud for modifying stock engines such that they have the appearance of a Ford flathead engine. More specifically, the present technology is an easy to use kit for the hot rod enthusiast to use to transform the exterior of a small block engine in a day or afternoon. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The Ford flathead V8 is a flathead V8 engine designed by the Ford Motor Company. It was a staple of hot rodders in the 1950s, and it remains famous in the classic car hobbies even today, despite the huge variety of other popular V8s that followed. These engines, amazing in their time, were plagued with overheating problems and relatively low horsepower for the cubic inch size. 
         [0004]    In 1955, General Motors, specifically the Chevrolet division, introduced the small block engine. This design provided increased reliability and horsepower and was fifty pounds lighter. The new design incorporated many features allowing for the inclusion of power windows, air conditioning, power steering and brakes. It had a single water pump that prevented overheating so that the engine could run all day at constant temperature. Another small block engine was made by Ford. 
         [0005]    By the 1960&#39;s “Hot Rod” enthusiasts began to replace their flathead motors with small block engines primarily due to their reliability and horsepower. Over the next few decades the small block motors became the norm. Now interest in recreating the past has grown so that the flathead engine is once again gaining popularity. It&#39;s now very desirable to put a flathead motor into hot rods. Unfortunately, good engine blocks are rare. It is not uncommon to invest time and money on one only to find the engine block is cracked and unusable. 
         [0006]    One attempt to retain the advantages of the small block engine, while apparently using a flathead engine is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,847. It discloses a flathead adaption system for an engine that adapts the engine to, in part, look like a 1950&#39;s flathead engine. First the existing valve cover is removed from the engine. Thereafter, an adapter member is mounted at a valve cover opening from which the valve cover was removed. A rectangular plate-shaped flathead member is mounted to the top surface of the adapter member covering over the valve cover opening. The flathead member is provided with a plurality of non-energized spark plugs. When one or more of these non-energized spark plugs is removed, the resulting aperture is then used for pouring oil into the engine in place of the oil filling aperture in the valve cover which was removed. This system, while purporting to adapt the engine to look like a flat head engine, actually only replaces the existing valve cover with the “flathead-type” valve cover. The result is not an engine that has the appearance of a flathead engine. Further, the adaptation involves interfering with the integrity of the stock engine. 
         [0007]    In a related art, United States Patent Application 20050132997 discloses a customization cover for use with an engine valve cover that has a main body portion configured with one or more design elements thereon to provide an improved visual effect for a vehicle engine and engine compartment. Mounting openings in the main body member are cooperatively configured to receive a connector element to place the customization cover generally above the valve cover. Preferably, side components having side design elements extend downwardly from the main body to from a generally elongated channel that is disposed above the valve cover. The connector elements can connect to the valve cover mounting points or to the ignition coil mounting points. Spacer elements, brackets and/or mounting arms on the side components can be utilized to secure the customization cover in a spaced apart relation to the valve cover to provide an enhanced three dimensional visual effect. This simply adds decorative elements to the engine valve cover and does not shroud the engine. The result is not an engine that has the appearance of a flathead engine. 
         [0008]    United States Patent Application 20100269779 discloses a valve cover that includes a base that attaches to an engine and a display window that attaches to the base. The display window is made of material that can withstand the operating environment of the engine, including temperature and resistance to petroleum-based substances. The display window is secured to the base using a flexible gasket that encircles the display window and snaps into a groove in the base to secure the display window to the base. The display window may be see-through so the valves are visible. The display window may also include one or more display elements, such as light-emitting diodes, optical fibers, electro-luminescent panels, incandescent bulbs, liquid crystal displays, etc. The display window may include embossed or etched portions, and may include multiple colors and sequenced operation to provide any desired effect on the display panel. This does not address the problems that flathead engines have. The result is not an engine that has the appearance of a flathead engine. 
         [0009]    United States Patent Application 20060070599 discloses an engine cover includes an installation member, a cover body, and an installed member. The installation member is disposed on an engine. One of the installation member and the installed member includes a leg, and a head, and the other one of them includes a framed member, and an elastic member. The elastic member includes a first hole, a second hole, and a diametrically-enlarged intermediate hole. The head engages with the diametrically-enlarged intermediate hole. Moreover, the head is disposed movably toward the second hole when a downward load is applied to the cover body, thereby bringing the cover body closer to the engine. The result is not an engine that has the appearance of a flathead engine. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,512 discloses an internal combustion engine having a sound-deadening shroud surrounding the engine block and connected to latter with the interposition of anti-vibration means. An exhaust plant through which combustion gases are connected is arranged external of the shroud and connected to the engine block. A separate enclosure is secured to the shroud and encloses the exhaust plant leaving a small air gap on all sides between the exhaust plant and the enclosure with only the exhaust pipe of the exhaust plant projecting from the enclosure through an opening. The result is not an engine that has the appearance of a flathead engine. 
         [0011]    What is needed is a kit and product that provides a shell or shroud for a stock engine that results in it appearing to be a Ford flathead V8, V12 or V16 engine. The kit would preferably be easy to install and would only impact on engine peripherals, such as the distributor, exhaust manifold and water pump. This would not result in oil spillage, nor would there be any concerns about engine gaskets needing to be replaced, nor would there be concerns of a poor seal between the engine parts. It would be best if it could be installed in a matter of hours. An additional advantage would be the capability of producing the shroud for a V12 or V16, by simply extending the side piece molds, whilst using the same molds for the remainder of the parts for production. An engine that mimics the flathead engines would also be desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    The present technology provides an easy to assemble kit, or the already assembled shroud that provides a shell for a stock engine that results in it appearing to be a Ford flathead V8, V12 or V16 engine. The kit and shroud only impacts on engine peripherals, such as the distributor, exhaust manifold and water pump. Installation should not result in oil spillage, nor should there be any concerns about engine gaskets needing to be replaced, nor should there be concerns of a poor seal between the engine parts. The kit can be assembled and installed in a matter of hours. The shroud can be configured for a V12 or V16, by simply extending the side piece molds for the V8, whilst using the same molds for the remainder of the parts for production. The product is an engine that mimics the flathead engine in exterior appearance. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, a faux engine is provided, the faux engine comprising a stock engine and a shroud for the stock engine, wherein the shroud comprises a plurality of components assembled to provide an interior space to house the stock engine, is attached to the stock engine, and is configured to substantially conceal the stock engine and mimic an exterior of a different engine. 
         [0014]    In the faux engine, the different engine is a flathead engine. 
         [0015]    In the faux engine, the shroud may be configured to expose a plurality of spark plug sockets on the stock engine, a bottom of the stock engine and a bell housing of the stock engine and to conceal a remainder of the stock engine. 
         [0016]    The faux engine may further comprise a plurality of non-operational spark plugs mounted on a valve cover portion of the shroud, a non-operational distributor mounted on a front portion of the shroud and a plurality of non-operational spark plug leads extending therebetween. 
         [0017]    The faux engine may further comprise a plurality of operational spark plugs located in the spark plug sockets, a distributor-less ignition and a plurality of operational spark plug leads therebetween. 
         [0018]    In the faux engine, the plurality of operational spark plug leads may be routed between the shroud and the stock engine. 
         [0019]    The faux engine may further comprise a pair of operational water pumps mounted on and in fluid communication with the front portion of the shroud. 
         [0020]    In the faux engine, the stock engine may be a small block engine. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, a flathead shroud for a stock engine is provided, the flathead shroud comprising a plurality of components assembled to provide an interior space, the interior space for housing a small block engine, and an exterior, the exterior configured to mimic an exterior of a flathead engine, and to substantially conceal the stock engine. 
         [0022]    In the flathead shroud, the plurality of components may include: an intake manifold casting; a pair of valve cover castings; a rear casting; a pair of exhaust manifold panel castings; and one of either a front casting and a timing cover casting or an integrated timing cover and front casting, the components assembled such that the intake manifold casting is atop the pair of valve cover castings, the pair of exhaust manifold panel castings are below the pair of valve cover castings, the front casting and timing cover casting or the integrated timing cover and front casting abut a front of each of the intake manifold casting, the pair of valve cover castings and the pair of exhaust manifold panel castings, the timing cover casting, if present, is in front of the front casting and the rear casting abuts a rear of each of the intake manifold casting, the pair of valve cover castings and the pair of exhaust manifold panel castings. 
         [0023]    In the flathead shroud, the interior space may be sized to additionally house a plurality of spark plug leads, an at least one water hose, and a split diverter. 
         [0024]    In the flathead shroud, the intake manifold casting may include an at least one mount for an at least one carburetor and an at least one carburetor port for gaseous communication with the at least one carburetor. 
         [0025]    In the flathead shroud, the pair of valve cover castings may include a plurality of non-operational spark plug sockets. 
         [0026]    In the flathead shroud, the front casting or integrated timing cover and front casting may include a pair of mounting plates for a pair of water pumps and a channel through the front casing for liquid communication with the pair of water pumps. 
         [0027]    In yet another embodiment, a kit for shrouding a stock engine to make it appear as a flathead engine is provided, the kit comprising a timing cover casting, a front casting, a pair of exhaust manifold panel castings, a pair of valve cover castings, a pair of support bars, an intake manifold casting, a rear casting, and instructions. 
         [0028]    In the kit, the pair of valve cover castings may include a plurality of non-operational spark plug sockets. 
         [0029]    In the kit, the timing cover casting may include a mounting plate for a distributor. 
         [0030]    In the kit, the front casting may include a pair of mounting plates for a pair of water pumps and a channel through the front casing for liquid communication with the pair of water pumps. 
         [0031]    In the kit, the intake manifold casting may include an at least one mount for an at least one carburetor and an at least one carburetor port for gaseous communication with the at least one carburetor. 
         [0032]    The kit may further comprise a pair of support bars. 
         [0033]    In yet another embodiment, a kit for shrouding a small block engine to make it appear as a flathead engine is provided, the kit comprising a timing cover casting, a front casting, a pair of exhaust manifold panel castings, a pair of valve cover castings, a pair of support bars, an intake manifold casting, a rear casting, and instructions. 
         [0034]    In the kit, the pair of valve cover castings may include a plurality of non-operational spark plug sockets. 
     
    
     
       FIGURES 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the assembled shroud of the present technology. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the shroud of the present technology. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the support bars, front casting and rear casting of the present technology. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway side view of the present technology showing the stock engine inside. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a partial cutaway of a top view of the present technology showing the coolant system. The existing block is shown with coolant channel and water pump apertures exposed in the cutaway. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of the water intake system. 
           [0042]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of the split diverter and water intake lines of the present technology. 
           [0043]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the exhaust system of the present technology. 
           [0044]      FIG. 9A  is a view of the gear drive of an alternative embodiment. 
           [0045]      FIG. 9B  is a view of the gear drive of an alternative embodiment. 
           [0046]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternative embodiment. 
           [0047]      FIG. 11  is a partial cutaway top view of an alternative embodiment of the present technology. 
           [0048]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the front lower cover of the alternative embodiment. 
           [0049]      FIG. 13A  is a view showing the timing cover and front as a single component. 
           [0050]      FIG. 13B  shows the front and support bars as a single component. 
           [0051]      FIG. 13C  shows the timing cover, front and support bars as a single component. 
           [0052]      FIG. 13D  shows the front, support bars and rear as a single component. 
           [0053]      FIG. 13E  shows the timing cover, front, support bars and rear as a single component. 
           [0054]      FIG. 13F  shows the support bars and the rear as a single component. 
           [0055]      FIG. 13G  shows the intake manifold and valve cover as a single component. 
           [0056]      FIG. 13H  shows the valve cover and exhaust manifold panel as a single component. 
           [0057]      FIG. 14  shows the templates for the molds used to cast the components for a V8. 
           [0058]      FIG. 15  shows the templates for the molds used to cast the components for a V12. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Definitions 
       [0059]    Stock engine: In the context of the present technology, a stock engine is the engine that is used to run the vehicle and is made to look like a flathead engine with the shroud. This could be, for example, but not limited to, a small block Chevrolet engine, a small block Ford engine, a large block Chevrolet engine, a Dodge engine, a large block Ford engine, V-6 engine or V-8 engine. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0060]    An engine shroud, generally referred to as  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The shroud  10  is comprised of eight sections of cast aluminum that, when assembled, mimics the look of a classic flathead Ford engine. A timing cover casting  12  includes a distributor aperture  14  with a distributor mounting plate  16  surrounding the aperture  14 , for mounting either a distributor or a non-operational distributor. Two apertures  18  are located on the distributor mounting plate  16 . The shape of the distributor mounting plate  16  can be quite variable depending on the year of engine being mimicked. A rim  22  with five apertures  24  surrounds much of the interior surface  26  of the timing cover casting  12 . The exterior surface  26  may or may not have ribs  28 . A logo plate  30  is at a lower end, generally referred to as  32 , of the timing cover casting  12 . The timing cover casting  12  fits snugly into the front casting  36  and is bolted to it with bolts  38 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the front casting  36  includes two water pump mounting plates  40  each surrounding water pump apertures  44  that are at the front terminus of coolant channels  46  (see  FIG. 6  for coolant channels). Returning to  FIG. 1 , a water pump  50  is shown located on one of the mounting plates  42 . It is affixed to the front casting  36  with bolts  38 . Exhaust manifold panel mounts  56  are also on the front  42  of the front casting  36 . 
         [0061]    In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , a tubular distributor mount  54  may be mounted on the timing cover casting  12 . It extends upward from the shroud  10 . This design permits the use of the small block distributor, hence there is no need for a non-operational distributor to be used. 
         [0062]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , a left and right valve cover casting  58  include spark plug sockets  60 , which, depending on the size of the engine being emulated, can be four, six or eight sockets  60  per side for four, six or eight spark plugs  62 . A non-operational spark plug lead  64  is attached to each non-operational spark plug  62  at one end and to the distributor  200  (non-functioning) at the other end. Each socket  60  is surrounded by a depression  66 . A plurality of acorn nuts  68  and washers  67  are located on the valve cover castings  58 . Some of these are functional, and others may not be. On the face, generally referred to as  70 , there is a pattern of horizontal ribbing  72 . 
         [0063]    An intake manifold casting  80  is mounted to the front casting  36 . It has three dual carburetor ports  86 , mounts  87  for the carburetors  88  and an electronic ignition system port  90  at the back end  92  of the intake manifold casting  80 . The electronic ignition system port  90  is for mounting an electronic, distributor-less ignition system  94  within. The port  90  has a removable cover  95 . 
         [0064]    Below the valve cover castings  58  are right and left exhaust manifold panel castings  100 . These are mounted on the exhaust manifold panel mounts  56  of the front casting  36  and on the lower section, generally referred to as  102 , of the valve cover castings  58 . Depending on the design, there may be three or four exhaust ports  106  in the exhaust manifold panel castings  80 . These exhaust ports  106  are for gaseous communication with the exhaust manifolds  210  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The exhaust manifolds  210  are retained by bolts  38  through exhaust manifold apertures  211 . A spark plug cover casting  108  is mounted below the exhaust manifold panel castings  100 . This is to shroud the spark plugs. It may be a separate casting or integrated into the exhaust manifold panel casting  100 . 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a front step  154  and back step  156  on the front casting  36  and rear casting  158 , respectively, support a support bar  160  on each side of the head of the existing engine. The support bars  160  support the intake manifold casting  80 . The front casting  36  has threaded holes  170  in the front  40  for accepting bolts  38  to retain the timing cover casting  12 , and a front aperture  174  with a step  176  to accept the timing cover casting  12 . At the lower end, generally referred to as  178 , of the front casting  36  there is a semi-circular opening  180  surrounded by a rectangular plate  182 . The rear casting  158  is shaped to cover the back of the block and cylinder heads of the existing engine  300 . The rear casting  158  allows access to the bell housing bolt holes on the small block engine  300 . 
         [0066]    The front casting  36  has apertures  184  for accepting bolts  38  that thread into the existing water pump threaded apertures in the head of the small block engine. The rear casting  158  has two apertures  186  for accepting bolts  38  that similarly thread into existing threaded apertures in the head of the small block engine. The front casting  36  and the rear casting  158  are welded to the support bar  160  at the front step  154  and back step  156 . The intake manifold casting  80  has apertures  188  (see  FIG. 3 ) for accepting bolts  38  that thread into threaded apertures  190  in the support bars  160 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the exhaust manifold panel castings  100  have apertures  190  for accepting bolts  38  that thread into existing threaded apertures in the head of the small block engine. 
         [0067]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the distributor  200  (which is a non-functioning distributor) is attached to the distributor mounting plate  16  with bolts  38  that are threaded into the two apertures  18  in the distributor mounting plate  16  (see above for the design used for the tubular distributor mount for use with an operational distributor for a small block engine). The timing cover casting  12  is affixed to the front casting  36  with bolts  38  that are threaded into the five apertures  24  in the timing cover casting  12 . Similarly, the water pumps  50  are attached to the front casting with bolts  38  that are threaded into threaded apertures  206  in the front casting. The exhaust manifolds  210  are attached to the exhaust manifold panel castings  100  with the bolts  38  that extend through the apertures  190  in the exhaust manifold panel castings  100 . 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 , the shroud  10  covers over most of the existing engine, generally referred to as  300 . The functional spark plugs  312  can be seen below the shroud  10  in the spark plug sockets  320 . The shroud has an interior space, generally referred to as  322  and an exterior, generally referred to as  324 . 
         [0069]    For the stock small block engine there is a single water pump, one water (coolant) line between the pump and radiator and one coolant line between the thermostat housing and the radiator. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the flathead engine has two water pumps  50  and two coolant lines  326  from the heads to the radiator  354 . 
         [0070]    A shown in  FIG. 7A  and B, a split diverter valve  350  with an integrated thermostat  356  is in fluid communication with two water intake lines  352  that are in fluid communication with water intakes  342 . The water intakes  342  are located on each valve cover casting  58  as in the original flatheads. For the 1932-48 style heads, the water intake is centred in the valve cover casting  58  and is front mounted for the 1949-53 style heads. The block  310  of the stock engine  300  is covered by the intake manifold casting  80 , which conceals the split diverter valve  350  and water intake lines  352 . 
         [0071]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , exhaust gases are vented through the exhaust ports  380  of the small block engine through the exhaust manifold panel casting  100  and to the exhaust manifold  210 , which may be a four pipe exhaust manifold. A gasket  384  is therefore needed between the small block engine  300  and the exhaust manifold panel casting  100  and between the exhaust manifold panel casting  100  and the exhaust manifold  210 . 
         [0072]    In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 9 a   , a functional distributor  400  is relocated from its position in the small block engine to the front of the engine with a block off assembly  402  that includes a helical gear drive  404  that is connected to the front of the camshaft. This allows for a gear driven connection into the front of the camshaft via the helical gear drive  404 . The design is suitable for the 1949 to 1953 engines, however the 1932 to 1948 style motors involves two gears that drive the front mount distributor. This is shown in  FIG. 9 b   . A first gear  406  is rotationally mounted to the distributor  400  and the other, second gear  408 , which is in geared relation with the first gear  406  is rotationally mounted on the cam shaft. The distributor  400  is reconfigured to function as a reverse rotation distributor. 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , a set of faux spark plugs  410  is located on the valve cover castings  58 . Spark plug leads  412  route through the faux spark plugs  410  and continue between the original cylinder heads and the valve cover castings  58  through to hidden functioning spark plugs  62 . These spark plugs  62  are hidden behind the valve cover castings  58  and are accessed through a removable cover  414 . 
         [0074]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the shroud  10  is designed to look like a V12 or V16 engine. This requires that left and right valve cover castings  58 , the intake manifold casting  80 , the support bars  160  and the exhaust manifold panel castings  100  are all extended in length to give the illusion of a larger engine. A distributor  200  (which is a non-functioning distributor) is attached to the distributor mounting plate  16  with bolts  38  that are threaded into the two apertures  18  in the distributor mounting plate  16 . The appropriate number of non-operational spark plug leads  412  feed the non-operational spark plugs  410 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , to drive the front water pumps  50 , a shaft  450  is mounted to the front of a harmonic balancer  452  going to a bearing  454  and a pulley  456  that runs the dual water pumps  50 . The shaft  450  extends from the front of the stock engine about 8 inches for a V-12 and about  15  inches for a V-16, where it terminates in a second pulley  458 . A belt  460  between the water pumps  50  and second pulley  458  drive the water pumps. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the lower sides of the shaft  450  and pulley  458  are covered with a lower left front casting  470 , a lower right front casting  472  and a centre casting  474 . These casting as welded to one another to form a front lower cover, generally referred to as  480 . It attaches to the front casting  36 . 
         [0075]    In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13A-H , there is a plurality of components, generally referred to as  500 , that make up the shroud. There may be: eight castings and two support bars, as disclosed above; the front casting and the timing cover casting may be a single component  502  to give nine components; the front casting and the support bars may be a single component  504 , for a total of eight components, or seven components if the timing cover casting and the front casting are also a single component  506 ; further, the rear casting, front casting and support bars may be a single component  508  for a total of seven components, or six components if the timing cover casting and the front casting are also a single component  510 . The rear casting and the support bars may be a single component  512 . The valve cover castings and intake manifold casting may be a single component  514 . Each valve cover casting and exhaust manifold panel casting pair may be a single component  516 . The support bars may or may not be included in the plurality of components. 
         [0076]    The templates used to form the molds used to cast the parts for a V8 shroud are shown in  FIG. 14 . There is one for a timing cover mold  602 , a front mold  604 , an intake manifold mold  606 , a right valve cover mold  608 , a left valve cover mold, a right exhaust manifold panel mold  612 , a left exhaust manifold panel mold, a rear mold  616  and a spark plug cover mold  618 . There is also an intake manifold cover template  620 . The templates for left molds are simply the mirror image of the templates for the right molds. The molds are sand and are filled with molten aluminum in the manufacture of the castings. 
         [0077]    The templates used to form the molds used to cast the parts for a V12 shroud are shown in  FIG. 15 . There is one for a timing cover mold  702 , a front mold  704 , a right valve cover mold, a left valve cover mold  706 , a lower right front mold  708 , a lower left front mold  710 , a right exhaust manifold panel mold  712 , a left exhaust manifold panel mold, a centre mold  714 , a rear mold  716  and a spark plug cover mold  718 . There is also an intake manifold cover template  720 . The templates for the left molds are simply the mirror image of the templates for right molds. The templates for the valve cover molds and exhaust manifold panel molds are essentially the same as those for the V8, but for a V12 engine. The molds are sand and are filled with molten aluminum in the manufacture of the castings. 
         [0078]    In yet another embodiment, the stock engine could be a large block engine and the faux engine a flathead engine. Other non-limiting examples of stock engines include an overhead valve V-6 or V-8 engine or a big block overhead valve V-8. 
         [0079]    In still yet another embodiment, the stock engine is a V-8 overhead valve engine and the faux engine is a V-12 or V-16 engine. The exhaust manifold panel casting is designed for a three pipe exhaust manifold for the V-8, four for the V-12 and five for the V-16. Still further, it is considered that a multi-casting shroud can be designed to substantially cover a stock engine to give it the appearance of a different engine, the caveat being that the stock engine is smaller than the faux engine. Non-limiting examples of stock engines include an overhead valve V-6 or V-8 engine or a big block overhead valve V-8.