Bug Screens - Use Them?

[cobrakiwi]

This is what I make and like to use on our builds, Stainless mesh.

[Karl Bebout]

Phil, I'm using the same nomex honey comb from Speedway that Ed referred to. Plenty cheap, easy to trim with everyday scissors, almost bullet proof. I used some industrial strength Velcro to install thinking that if I lost some cooling capacity, I could easily remove it. I do run at an additional 5° in our Arizona warmth, but that's livable. Its not as "pretty" as a nice aluminum radiator, but is barely noticeable and I can easily put up with the appearance while greatly reducing my chances of getting stuck out in the boonies with a blown radiator. Just my 2¢ worth.

[1985 CCX]

Basic and simple.

[Karl Bebout]

Davids2,

OK, you made me feel guilty so I bought a can of aluminum colored Rustoleum. I laid several thin coats on and its now not the ugly original tan. Letting it thoroughly dry before reinstalling but I'm sure it'll look better and be worth the $4 paint job.

[davids2toys]

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

Davids2,

OK, you made me feel guilty so I bought a can of aluminum colored Rustoleum. I laid several thin coats on and its now not the ugly original tan. Letting it thoroughly dry before reinstalling but I'm sure it'll look better and be worth the $4 paint job.

LOL, sorry about that

Do you have the exact same one (Honeycomb)? How did you attach it it to the radiator?
Dave

[Karl Bebout]

Hi Dave, yes, I got the nomex honeycomb screen from Speedway. I ran self adhesive strips of Velcro along the sides of the radiator and mating ones to match, on the screen. I did find that the adhesive didn't hold too well to the screen, but that's not an issue, until you remove the screen, like to paint it...I got into my wife's sewing kit and used needle and thread to more firmly attach the Velcro to the screen. Only stuck myself three times. I did have difficulty with the adhesive sticking to the needle, making it difficult to push through, so used some lacquer thinner to keep the needle clean. Easy-peazy BTW, the aluminum paint isn't very bright but at least its not that ugly cardboard tan. Maybe another brand would be better than the Rustoleum 2X I used?

[lippy]

I made this one with stainless mesh from Speedway and aluminum square stock from Amazon. I used a circular/mitre saw with an aluminum cutting blade to cut the aluminum. I sandwiched the mesh between the aluminum and held the aluminum together with stainless hex head fasteners, threaded into the "bottom" aluminum bar. I drilled mounting holes in the radiator guard and then fastened it directly to the frame of the car using the same fasteners.

It doesn't appear that there is any effect on the cooling capacity of the radiator, and I'm happy with the way it looks and the protection it provides.

[davids2toys]

Karl,
Sounds like a PITA. The dull paint seems like what you would want to camouflage it. If it was bright and shiny it would be calling attention to it.
I think I would use safety wire to hold it in place.

Lippy,
That is quite a beautiful job you did on that screen. Did you do this on the car after it was built or was it part of your build?

[lippy]

Originally Posted by davids2toys

Karl,
Lippy,
That is quite a beautiful job you did on that screen. Did you do this on the car after it was built or was it part of your build?

Thanks for the kind words. I did it after the car was finished. Started thinking about a rock flying into the radiator and decided to make the guard. It was really pretty easy.

[eschaider]

That may be a good alternative, Dave. They are about the same size, although the MSD is heavier.


Ed

[Morris]

Here's how we mounted the Radiator .... It has to be sealed around the edges.... You want the air to pack into the radiator and not go around it.... especially on those hot days in the summer.



That is Hi-Temp Silicone that has glue on the back side.



You can see how we sealed it down the inside of the radiator. That's Hi- Temp 1/4" hose that we use around the edge of the metal




And how we sealed it on the outside of the radiator




And the Top..... this is a must if you put a car on the track.

You only want the air going thru the Radiator and not out the sides. except we feed air from the opening on the side panel to the foot box... for driver comfort. car runs nice and kool.

[Morris]

After we did that ..... when we went to a bigger oil cooler to cool the motor it had no affect on the temp of the water because we had done a good job sealing up the radiator and making the air coming thru the oil cooler no where to go except thru the radiator.






Here you can see how the front opening is sealed up even with the big oil cooler.




That is one Bad looking Cobra..... wither you like tradition or not .... don't mess with KMP259 on the Track. It is very fast.

[Karl Bebout]

'Way too pretty to beat the crap out of it on the track, but Morris, your car, your wallet, your good times. U done Gud!

[Morris]

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

'Way too pretty to beat the crap out of it on the track, but Morris, your car, your wallet, your good times. U done Gud!

Karl

Thanks ....it is a labor of love for all of us.....and a to each their own.....I'm just lucky to have been the builder of KMP259 and the custodian and care taker.

[lippy]

Very cool car. More photos?

[eschaider]

Over the years your car has been an inspiration for me, Morris and I am sure many others.

Thank you for your vision and how it has inspired and motivated so many of us.


Ed

[Morris]

Originally Posted by eschaider

Over the years your car has been an inspiration for me, Morris and I am sure many others.

Thank you for your vision and how it has inspired and motivated so many of us.


Ed

Ed

It's been fun to build something that could help,others see a different point of view.....and although I'm up in my years, and over weight, and just not as quick as I used to be....I still love the speed and power feeling you get when you drive these Cobras.....it is exasperating and makes me feel young again.....

I'm just glad I could be the builder of KMP259

[Large Arbor]

Yes, beautiful car. I am going to make a bug screen and add it.

Phil