Radiator grille?

[uncltodd]

Guys, I went back quite a ways to find a thread on radiator grilles. Did not find one.

I have seen pics of Cobras with them, some looked 'way cool, some so-so.

In my little part of the world I really, really need a bug/squirrel/armadillo catcher for my (pant- pant) BDR on order.

I have a friend who is a genius with auto bodies, I'm sure he could cobble up something for me.

I just need a "look" that pleases my treacherous old eyes.

Hey, I'm no purist. BDR #139 will be a driver, not a Parade Queen.

Any leads to previous threads or pics or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Guys!

UT

[CSCHWER]

Try some stainless steel screen. You could put it in a frame and attach it just in front of the radiator. This keeps the original look and protects from stones, bugs..... I've heard of people attaching it with velcro.

Chet

[trularin]

Chet. You hit the nail on the head!

SS screen, lying across the rad. held in place with velcro.

Keeps the bugs from collecting in the fins.

Just my $0.02

[uncltodd]

Chet- thank you.

Stainless steel screen?

Where do I find such a thing?

Sounds ideal. I like the velcro thing, too. Vibration doesn't seem to bother velcro much.

I'm guessing you haven't done this?

The Backdraft I test drove seemed to have a... vulnerable radiator, dangerously close to ground clutter and FOD (foreign object damage).

A removable (velcro-attached) grille could be a low-maintenance item that could save many, many dollars in the future.

Stainless? Wow. Take it out and blow the critters out at the car wash, then stick it back in.

Thanks again.

UT

[CSCHWER]

I purchased some ss screen but decided not to install it. I decided to install an oil cooler. I like the way it looks without the screen. Bugs are no big problem here. Ask me again after I take a piece of gravel on the nose! I've seen the screen listed by some Cobra parts vendor, but can't remember where. I purchased mine from a metal supplier. I probably have enough to do 2 radiators. If you can't find some, let me know what size piece you will need.

Chet

[uncltodd]

Chet- I appreciate your offer, may take you up on it.

Oil cooler? sounds like somebody is, um, doing a bit of racing.

Naah. Insurance agent would come unglued.

I still think EVERY Cobra needs a bug filter, just based on my climate and personal history.

About the "look"... any functional mechanical device has it's own intrinsic beauty. Example, my Colt .45 that I used to shoot in competion 20 years ago. Ugliest handgun ever built.

Thanks again, Chet.

Trularin- don't be a stranger.

UT

[Art Burtt]

Cobra Accesories sells one for $495.

[A Cobra guy]

UT, I had the same worry so heres what I did.

I got 1/2" screen like you would use to make a rabbit cage. Got it from my local hardware store. This is firmly attached about an inch in front of the radiator. In front of that is a layer of black nylon screen. I use wire ties to hold it to the larger cage screen. The fine screen keeps the bugs out of the radiator. The 1/2" stuff will stop or at least slow down bigger stuff.
This is all far enough back from the nose that you can't see it.
26,000 miles so far and no problems although I havn't done any Armadillo hunting yet. New England is a little far north for them I think

[Bryan Wilson]

Have a look toward th bottom of this page. http://www.cobraspares.com/brightworks.htm
Cheers,
Bryan

[Rodney]

I posted some recent pics in my gallery of the new stainless steel nose panels and #10 stainless steel screen for the oil cooler rad and fresh air ducts.

[sllib]

McMaster-Carr sells stainless steel screen if you want to build your own. I don't remember their site name.
Bill Stradtner

[uncltodd]

Rodney-

Just checked out your photos.

OMG.

It's my poor little BDR's rich uncle on steroids...

Like the install, BTW.

UT

[uncltodd]

Chet-

Just eyeballed your photo post... is that an oil cooler or a bug screen that I see inside the cowling?

Or is that the radiator itself? I counted 14 bugs in it.

Hey, it's Tuesday afternoon and I am bored.

UT

[RallySnake]

UT,

I have unique glass radiator protectors. They work great!

Paul

[Rodney]

Thanks Uncltodd! I really enjoyed building the stainless nose panels and the screeens do the job of protecting the rad and oil cooler without affecting cooling.
Rallysnake I've been considering installing some driving lights as well, could you post some more photos? Thanks Rod

[TonyMadrid]

I have a front hoop that I may or may not install. If I do, I thought about taking some black nylon or fiberglass screen mesh and fabricate a cover with velcro tabs that I can attach over the hoop when driving and remove it when I get to where I'm going.

If I go that route I'll post pictures when I do it.

Tony

[RallySnake]

Hi Rodney,

Try clicking on the little camera next to my "Rallysnake" name. There's a few in there.

Paul

[C-man610]

Great fab job Rodney-

I would like to fab the same but one question, what size wire in #10 SS mesh did you use ie .025, .020 ??

I am looking for screen stenght for possible rock yet openness for air flow/cooling.

The manuals say .025 has a 56% air flow while .020 has a 64% air flow

What are recommendations??

[clayfoushee]

Rodney, that looks great. Has anyone noticed a difference in cooling with the screen installed?

[B+L FFR1686]

here's another style...

take a look at my gallery.


Brian