I wouldn't think it important to lower the flue opening with a reverse flow. As the heat and smoke must traverse the full length of the cook chamber before it exits. Anyway one would think it would be OK on the lid as long as it's the opposite end from where the heat and smoke enters the chamber.
I thought about that and was worried about all the heat at the top since it is 12" taller now.
It was about 20* cooler at the top on the chimney end. Don't know how accurate this burn was because I was trying to get it as hot as possible to burn the crud off the new metal.Got it up to about 350 for an hour. Had the intake wide open and we had a lot of wind. Found some leaks that I will have to fix Let it burn four 4 1/2 hours. Get it sealed and try to run it at smoking temps and then I will be able to see what it will do.
The grates set in.
Bottom grate slid out. Still need to add reinforcement to grates.
Starting the hole for the chimney.
Cut out hole with cutoff wheels and finished with die grinder. A slow process.
The chimney stub fitted to hole. The chimney will be removable.
This is how I got the lid and chimney to work together. Lengthened the hinges so it can be slid over as the lid is raised.
The chimney all weld and another view of hinges.
Had to do a little straightening on the lid. Had an inward bow across the front.
Her it smoking away. Need to get a better therm on the left and lower the right one.
Temp probe I cut in half.
Soldered inner wire, shrink wrapped it, and couldn't get outer sleeve over it, so I stripped some wire and wrapped around outside then soldered. It is not pretty but it works.
Hated to it burning with no food, so I threw some sausage links in at the end.
The coals after 4 1/2 hours. Started with 2 chimneys of lump and about six small splits to get it hot at the beginning. Did not add any thing to it, just stirred the coals a little.
Here is a nifty light for those night time smokes. Magnetic base and flexible neck. Works really good.
Get some work done it tomorrow and have another post. Can't wait to clean it up and get some paint on it.