Now that I upgraded my radiator to a Trackspec (2-1/2" thick) version (w/ integrated EOC) in hopes of keeping things cool when I'm enjoying HPDE's, I realized that there is no longer room to squeeze my fabricated wand down between the condensor and radiator or between the radiator and fan assembly to blow things out periodically. My only options now are:

1. Vacuum the front of the condenser or,
2. Remove the radiator from the car

So based on that conclusion, I decided to fabricate a screen. This is my REV1 and it may be an epic failure however, I have the time so I gave it a shot...
What my condenser/radiator tends to collect are pine needles (PNW), leaves, grass clippings and sand/grit. I figured that I can't stop the sand/grit without restricting airflow however, I should be able to stop the bigger stuff. So this what I did:

Basically, I'm using 1/2" angle and 1/2" flat bar to create a holder for some HD screen door mesh (Time will tell how HD this stuff is). They also sell Pet Proof screen door mesh which is stronger however it appears to be more restrictive (air flow).





After getting everything fit together, I pop riveted the assembly together:






Finally, the installed product:


Like I said, REV1, probably won't know how restrictive it is until summer but it least "looks" like it will work. If this mesh is too restrictive or if it tears too easily, I'm sure I can find a more HD mesh that is a little courser so that will be REV2.

Anyway, I thought I'd share...

 

Excellent thank you

I wonder if you can get a large sheet of "OUTERWEARS" and cover it with that? If so you'd just easily brush anything off in seconds.

 

I bet you could find it somewhere...not a bad thought. I am very curious to see how restrictive this mesh is. I'm kind of expecting to have to go with a larger mesh to keep the air flow up but if not, that Outwears stuff would do the trick regarding sand/grit! Outerwears may be my REV3 version now...

 

Wow, that's an awesome job you did there.

 

Well done. Looks very clean. I look forward to hearing what impact it has on airflow.

 

Awesome fabrication work! Hope the results are favorable.

 

This is way over my head, but perhaps an engineer can make sense of it…

https://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=168110

Aside from that, I think you’re going to have significant restriction with that fine of a mesh. For example, take a window screen and hold it up against the wind. In a mild breeze you will feel pressure drop. Still, it may provide enough volume for your purpose even so…. You did a nice job on that!

Here’s another screen. it may not be fine enough though.

https://www.corvettepartsandaccessor...adiator-screen

 

Yup, I agree that this may be too fine of a mesh however I wanted to start fine and go up from there. The frame I made can be reused with any insert material I want to use. If this is too restrictive, I'll go up to a Mesh Size of 5 (0.157") or maybe 4 (0.187"). And if none of this works, so be it...nothing ventured, nothing gained...

 

Radiator/Condensor cleaning was one of the very first things I did when my car arrived home. I immediately thought of the possibility of some sort screen/mesh to mitigate the debris build up but haven't done anything about it as of yet.

@ericba What you've fashioned is very impressive; I admire the skills you have sir

 

Nicely done and hopefully it will last a long time.

 

^^^

 

You did a great job Eric...you WILL need to change the size screen because of air flow restrictions...trust me...more like the size of holes in the screens on the Z06


This size screen/holes is what i would recommend...

 

Thank you and yes, the magical question is air restriction and how much is too much. My concern with starting too large is that all the crap I’m trying to stop, won’t be stopped if too large so what did I gain? If my current size is too small (based on actual measured temperatures), I’ll go up a size…easy, peasy. And I’ll keep going up until I find the sweet spot based on temperatures and not a visual hypothesis.

I’ll definitely update this thread once I have some data but that won’t be for a while since I’m in the middle of Seattle’s monsoon season.

I too am pretty sure I’ll need to go up a size but what do I know? I’m wrong all the time as it is!

 

Good try Eric but...No one makes more mistakes than ME....

 

Fabrication looks very good and the frame will work for whatever size you'll need. Nice job.

 

Elite Engineering used make a nice screen for this....similar to yours, but to your point it was a bit curved shape

 

I just used gutter screen from Lowes. It’s good to 90 mph so far. No difference in temps using it. Under $5. No frame needed..the fold seen on the leading edge stiffens it. It comes with the fold already formed. Just cut piece to length.

 

I have one sitting in the garage right now; although I was…going to use it for the gutter, this may change my plans!

Good example of old school hot rodding

 

I was going to suggest something like this https://www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy/...rforated-sheet
Any size hole or spacing you want, no frame needed.
I have seen Chevrolet emblems, as well as other different shape holes.
Although, that gutter screen idea is pretty cool.

 

How did you secure it?