I'm trying to actually talk my father in law out of this idea but I need some pictures of Model A or other similar types grilles that have had an insert or some type of mesh installed over the radiator. This is actually for his 30 Chevy but it's the same basic style as an A with an exposed radiator. Naturally they're less protected but I think, with that type of shell, they look much cleaner naked. Show me what you've got; good, bad or ugly.
Trying this out on mine, hope to protect the rad from stone damage. So far doesn't seem to be having a impact on cooling. Canuck
^^ I like that a lot, I made one out of #4 stainless mesh to also stop my radiator core from whistling......didn't work but will stop bugs and stones, they are a good idea. JW
Webb-Thanks. Dare to be different. It's what happens when a 70 year old Ford guy buys his first Chevy. Hiboy-???
This is of great interest to me as I live in the Southeast USA (FL) and we have Love Bug season in which a pair of mated bugs fly around by the millions, and they love the roadways for some reason. They will clog a naked rad. in just a few miles. I am building a 29 A RPU and need a good insert other than screen door material. What sources are out there?
Hey thanks Moose! That's the one I was looking at IF we go that route. Personally I still like it without. I may revisit this with you as the build gets closer to completion. Maybe once we get the fenders and light bar & lights on it, the insert will grow on me.
On my '28, I used the ventilation duct screen from a downtown DC office building, that I found in a dumpster. Here's a thread with pictures of how it's attached: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-the-i-beam-and-adding-a-grill-insert.814111/
Gary- That's pretty slick actually. I love your peaked axle. I'm going to go back and read how you did it but you must have a LOT of patience! I think on ours, whether it's something like what you did or a fancy insert like the 32 Chevy Moose showed, I think it would look better if the shell was body colored. I have another shell just for that. Maybe that's what my problem is with it. It needs contrast. Either shiny shell/black radiator or black shell/shiny insert.
Here is the Ravens when it is clean. And this is what it normally look like. my experience is that most people don't get up close and personal with a car if you have one that you drive. Show cars now that is a different story. His is just expanded metal that he bought at the hardware store.
This is hard to see, but it's heavy gauge expanded sheet metal with a million holes in it. I think you could bounce a brick off this stuff! Running a Ford 302 behind a stock Model A radiator, it worked great. Biggest problem was I bought it direct from the manufacturer and had to buy a 4x8 sheet for $60.( which I cut up and sold or gave to other people.) Still cheaper than a new radiator!
Woven stainless steel mesh (maybe .065 wire) from the McMaster-Carr catalogue. Lots of wire sizes and opening sizes to choose from.
Yeah, I've looked at the mesh in the McMaster-Carr bible. You guys are coming up with too nice of ideas! Remember, I'm trying to talk my father in law OUT of this . Maybe I could make a screen that clips on for traveling.
Nice thing about most of what's been offered is it's barely noticeable. I painted mine flat black and like magic it's gone! (almost). The worst thing is the one they sell in the restorer catalogs- looks like you drove through a chrome chain link fence !
#4 stainless steel mesh made into an insert and mounted inside the shell . Details in my build thread.
heres one i made from mesh but i folded ribs into it with the brake. you can see how i did it . page 3 of this build thread. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/31-buick-3w-coupe.1019753/
I made this from a screen door grille that I picked up at the hardware store. If it can protect a screen door from a dog it should be able to keep a few stones out of a radiator.
Oh, I kinda like that. See, it was a contrast thing. I like it with a black shell regardless of whether it has an insert or not. Thanks Moose!