Your make shift radiator protecting screen
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Your make shift radiator protecting screen
I am very interested in seeing what you all have done/made to protect your cooling system. See link below:
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/pop.../large/435.jpg
I purchased one of these some years ago for my first C5 and that is not the plan now, I want to see what you all have done in the DIY world. I have an idea, but others ideas would be nice.
Thanks in advance,
Micah
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/pop.../large/435.jpg
I purchased one of these some years ago for my first C5 and that is not the plan now, I want to see what you all have done in the DIY world. I have an idea, but others ideas would be nice.
Thanks in advance,
Micah
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 2
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Here's what I did. I went to Home Depot and got some aluminum screen that is used in construction. A 2' x 8' piece cost me $8 (I think), could be more now. Cut it to fit and sandwich the front edge between the radiator shroud and the front bumper, there are five screws. A couple of screws to hold it on the side and tuck it above the moving part of the front air dam. It's been working great for several years now. Fine dirt still will get up there but the larger things like leaves and trash stay out. It has greatly reduced the need to clean out the radiator to keep temps down. Before the screen I once had a MickeyD fry container get stuck up there. BTW, you'll have enough material to make several pieces for your friends.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...af-vacuum.html
The only thing I would add is that while its tempting to want to use some chromed thick wire stuff similar to what we make the brake duct screens out of, I did a little research and found a claculator (on the McMasters site) that will show you what percentage of flow is blocked by each type of mesh. You would be surprised that some of the examples that looked very much like what we use on the brake ducts block as much as 60% of the flow
When all was said and done, regular galvanized 1/4" seemed to me to be the best compromise. It blocks very little flow and its small enough to keep most stuff out.
Good luck
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[/IMG]http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...af-vacuum.html
The only thing I would add is that while its tempting to want to use some chromed thick wire stuff similar to what we make the brake duct screens out of, I did a little research and found a claculator (on the McMasters site) that will show you what percentage of flow is blocked by each type of mesh. You would be surprised that some of the examples that looked very much like what we use on the brake ducts block as much as 60% of the flow
When all was said and done, regular galvanized 1/4" seemed to me to be the best compromise. It blocks very little flow and its small enough to keep most stuff out.
Good luck
Last edited by Jistari; May 6, 2010 at 02:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...af-vacuum.html
The only thing I would add is that while its tempting to want to use some chromed thick wire stuff similar to what we make the brake duct screens out of, I did a little research and found a claculator (on the McMasters site) that will show you what percentage of flow is blocked by each type of mesh. You would be surprised that some of the examples that looked very much like what we use on the brake ducts block as much as 60% of the flow
When all was said and done, regular galvanized 1/4" seemed to me to be the best compromise. It blocks very little flow and its small enough to keep most stuff out.
Good luck
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
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[/IMG]http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...af-vacuum.html
The only thing I would add is that while its tempting to want to use some chromed thick wire stuff similar to what we make the brake duct screens out of, I did a little research and found a claculator (on the McMasters site) that will show you what percentage of flow is blocked by each type of mesh. You would be surprised that some of the examples that looked very much like what we use on the brake ducts block as much as 60% of the flow
When all was said and done, regular galvanized 1/4" seemed to me to be the best compromise. It blocks very little flow and its small enough to keep most stuff out.
Good luck
Thanks, that's what I'm talking about.
Last edited by mph1972; May 6, 2010 at 11:42 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 986
Likes: 4
From: Galaxy Traveler
I did the hardware cloth only first and the radiator was still getting full of grass clippings and small stuff. The holes in hardware cloth won't filter anything small enough to clog the radiator fins. The stuff it keeps out would just fall off the radiator when the fans turn off anyways.
I did have a large pile of leaves fall off in front one day where I parked.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...af-vacuum.html
The only thing I would add is that while its tempting to want to use some chromed thick wire stuff similar to what we make the brake duct screens out of, I did a little research and found a claculator (on the McMasters site) that will show you what percentage of flow is blocked by each type of mesh. You would be surprised that some of the examples that looked very much like what we use on the brake ducts block as much as 60% of the flow
When all was said and done, regular galvanized 1/4" seemed to me to be the best compromise. It blocks very little flow and its small enough to keep most stuff out.
Good luck
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG]http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...af-vacuum.html
The only thing I would add is that while its tempting to want to use some chromed thick wire stuff similar to what we make the brake duct screens out of, I did a little research and found a claculator (on the McMasters site) that will show you what percentage of flow is blocked by each type of mesh. You would be surprised that some of the examples that looked very much like what we use on the brake ducts block as much as 60% of the flow
When all was said and done, regular galvanized 1/4" seemed to me to be the best compromise. It blocks very little flow and its small enough to keep most stuff out.
Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 21
From: Olathe, Kansas
I did the exact same thing 8 years ago... and when it was all said and done.. I found that because the C5 is a bottom feeder, that the very things that clogged the condenser and radiator where bug guts, sand, fuzzies, and small items much smaller than the quarter inch opening... I found that after a year, that not only did i have to clean the condenser and radiator, but now I had to remove the useless screen to access this area. it will stop a plastic bag from getting up there, but thats easily reached and dislodged when the car is stopped.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 3
From: Iowa City Iowa
I drive my car quite a bit and find that once or twice a year cleaning is sufficient for this area. I am, like some of you, concerned about any restriction of air flow to my radiator so I choose to keep it totally open.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I do not believe any type of screen will keep 100% of debris out, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Large bags, leaves, etc. are the items that will cause engine temps to rise. You may not realize they have been sucked in until you see a rise in temperature. Some type of screen is definitely better then nothing at all.
Bill aka ET
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I did the exact same thing 8 years ago... and when it was all said and done.. I found that because the C5 is a bottom feeder, that the very things that clogged the condenser and radiator where bug guts, sand, fuzzies, and small items much smaller than the quarter inch opening... I found that after a year, that not only did i have to clean the condenser and radiator, but now I had to remove the useless screen to access this area. it will stop a plastic bag from getting up there, but thats easily reached and dislodged when the car is stopped.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 196
From: Southern CA
Old thread, I know.
Here is what I am thinking after reading all this.
I just put a new rad in, temps are down.
Want to keep it that way.
I have no problem reaching up with hand or small vac , whatever & brush stuff off the condensor.
It's a much bigger pita to remove the upper rad support & try & get in between the cond & rad. A lot of crap gets in there too.
I am going to try & close the gap between the cond & rad with a small strip of hardware cloth.
It would just stay in place until a major (pull the radiator) cleaning is needed.
Minor cleanings every so often off the front of condensor still easy this way.
What do you guys think?
Here is what I am thinking after reading all this.
I just put a new rad in, temps are down.
Want to keep it that way.
I have no problem reaching up with hand or small vac , whatever & brush stuff off the condensor.
It's a much bigger pita to remove the upper rad support & try & get in between the cond & rad. A lot of crap gets in there too.
I am going to try & close the gap between the cond & rad with a small strip of hardware cloth.
It would just stay in place until a major (pull the radiator) cleaning is needed.
Minor cleanings every so often off the front of condensor still easy this way.
What do you guys think?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 45
From: St Paul, MN; Orlando, FL
Sure it hurts, !!! it deprives an already limited cooling system from air flow, it takes a much longer time to clean out the radiator and condenser area. because you do not have easy access, the stuff that really clogs up the radiator and condenser, the fuzzes and pollen bug guts,etc, you will leave those things in there because its a PITA to remove it to clean it. So you wont do it.. the stuff I clean out every year, about a 1/2 pint of sand guts a leaf pieces road dust etc. Ive had it both ways and not having it is Much better than having it.
Bill aka ET
Bill aka ET
Did the 1/4" screen mod 3 years ago. The engine temps were higher by at least 10deg in the desert, and still had to clean the small stuff out. And it was a PITA removing/re-installing the screen to clean.
Permanently removed the screen after 6 mos, and have had no probs: I do a thorough cleam once a year.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 196
From: Southern CA
You did say best, so best is to remove the radiator, Put it on a flat surface (on an angle) & let it drop (One end) That will knock the little grit & sand etc out. Do that a few times and then hand clean & vac the rest. Reinstall.
DON'T BEND ANY FINS.
DON'T BEND ANY FINS.