Radiator "Bug Screen"

Rick Parker · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 10:43 PM

I had an opportunity yesterday to go to the California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Ca. Good show for those of you that have not gone in the past, there is also a similar event for the Mid Westerners near Bowling Green, Ky close to Fathers day next June. It is a historic Drag Racing get together that really lets you see what some of the original cars & people were all about and how drag racing became so popular.

While I was there I saw a product that I was very interested in. It was a somewhat heavy fiberglass screen material, with a grid size like a screen used on a home window. It had a cloth sewn border about 3/8" wide and was made to fit in front of the radiator and grill of many of the street rods that were in attendance and on display. With a little velcro in lieu of the metal cone type spiral springs that were used on the others I think something like this would work well for our cars too. Has any one tried this or seen it used?

Rick

Robert Evans · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2003, 05:47 PM

Rich,
I had a screen shop fabricate an aluminum frame with stainless screen cut to fit exactly over the front of the radiator, and like the one you saw, it was attached with velcro. The aluminum polishes very nicely and it is alot easier to clean the bugs from this screen than it is to clean them from the radiator.

The cost?...about $12 (while I waited)

SNAKEYES · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2003, 07:36 PM

Bob and Dennis Olthoff make a screen of very high quality reasonably priced for both radiator and oil cooler that may fit your car.

ERA 626 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2003, 11:12 PM

I went to Home Depot and bought a $2 piece of screen on a roll and cut it to fit tucked it in and you cant even see its there works great. When it gets dirty you throw it away.

rsimoes · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 05:27 AM

My concern is how much airflow it will restrict. Keep an eye on your temp gauges. .

hog · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 07:54 AM

I used a screen for a number of years on my 65 GT Mustang. Am using one now on my Cobra. It does an excellent job of keeping bugs out of the radiator. I pull it out when showing the car and put it back in before driving. Saves a lot of work. Here in Northern Maine we have a great crop of bugs. Our state bird is the blackfly.
hog

ERA 626 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 08:35 AM

dosnt affect the temp

Rodney · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 10:10 AM

You could try stainless steel screen, its stronger and will resist stones as well as bugs.
I used the #10 (meaning 10 holes per inch) 304 stainless steel screen.
It has no effect on the cooling system.
Pics viewed in my gallery of the installed screen.
Hope this helps. Rod

Chaplin · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrmike

I went to Home Depot and bought a $2 piece of screen on a roll and cut it to fit tucked it in and you cant even see its there works great. When it gets dirty you throw it away.

Mike,
How did you attach the screen to the radiator? (I spent 20 minutes last night picking parts of bug bodies out of the radiator

)

Thanks,
Mike

trularin · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 12:37 PM

OKay, I have been thinking about doing this as well.

Do you put the screen close to the radiator, or up front, at the oval opening?

Having one that is easy to remove is nice.

ERA 626 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 05:14 PM

lay it down right in front of the raidiator.

Chaplin · #12 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 05:37 PM

That much I figured out

, but how did you physically attach it to the radiator so that it stays in place?

ERA 626 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 06:14 PM

I just tucked it in along the grooves on the top, bottom & sides and it stays put...

Chaplin · #14 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 10:11 PM

Simple enough. I'll give it a try this weekend.
Thanks.