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Projects Grill insert ideas for a Model A

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by jimbousman, Mar 1, 2019.

  1. jimbousman
    Joined: Jul 24, 2008
    Posts: 549

    jimbousman
    Member

    Looking for some ideal for a grill insert for a model A. Mine is a '31 and while
    I know I could always go for a deuce grill, I want to keep it A. I have an aluminum radiator. I painted it black but is recessed about 3" behind the shell. Look hoky so I am looking at different screens, meshes, bars are generally any ideas for an insert.
     
  2. You could use these guys idea to make a insert.

    Theirs is a little pricey. HRP

    F77841123.jpg
     
  3. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    **clic pic** Refrigerator rack... 093.JPG
     
    stews, catdad49, belair and 5 others like this.
  4. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,088

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    You know you can just click full size when you post the photo and it’ll be big all the time.
     
    jaw22w and scrap metal 48 like this.

  5. 2NDCHANCE
    Joined: Sep 11, 2007
    Posts: 997

    2NDCHANCE
    Member

    I have a 1930 Model A Tudor sedan on a 1932 frame with a AA painted steel grille shell. There is approx. 1" of room inside the shell to install an insert. Could a stock Model A rock guard be trimmed down and installed inside the grille shell? Looks? IMG_2082.JPG
     
  6. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    Tim, if you click full size it gets even bigger... (just ask my wife)….
     
    Dino 64, Tim and Just Gary like this.
  7. sloppy jalopies
    Joined: Jun 29, 2015
    Posts: 5,256

    sloppy jalopies
    Member

    Tried too trim a '31 grill guard.. not big enough...
    so I traded it for a '32 -V8 headlight bar...yup.
    .
    Fluorescent light screen or grate... $13 at lowes…
    1 sheet does 2 model A shells... about 1/2" thick... moves the shell ahead the same... hood ?
    the flash makes my buddy's '31 look grey...
    my half '30- half '31 is black... DSCN0820.JPG DSCN0819.JPG DSCN3306.JPG
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2019
    6sally6 likes this.
  8. catdad49, oj, Jalopy Joker and 2 others like this.
  9. pitman
    Joined: May 14, 2006
    Posts: 5,148

    pitman

    1/2" × 1/4" expanded steel mesh oriented 'down' w/ 1/2 cut horizontal. Paint it black.
     
    Turns likes this.
  10. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,115

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.
    1. Y-blocks

    I've used a number of def. stone screens,1/4in. wire screen/a type of chickenwire,also screendoor pet protechtor and fineily some stainless steel 1/4in. screening. I do like some I've seen that are art layzer cut. I'll post a pic of one thats cool ,I saw on the net. Some one did some great art on that !

    32fordGrille_devilgirl_bg01.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2019
    catdad49 likes this.
  11. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    How about a 1929 Pontiac grille. Looks like a '30 /'31 A but more art deco looking
     
  12. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    All of those block air movement through the radiator, so if your car is on the edge of heating up this may be a bad idea.
     
  13. RICK R 44
    Joined: Dec 13, 2009
    Posts: 474

    RICK R 44
    Member

    Flattened expanded metal, painted a color of your choice. See my avatar.
     
  14. Some pix from my "good idea folder"::)
    A RPU grill 01.jpg a%20o%203.jpg DSC05852.JPG JohnOlays29 01.jpg Picture%20055.jpg RoyalShifter 0.5 01.jpg RoyalShifter 0.5 03.jpg toxic tom 1.5.jpg whitlock .75in holes.jpg yellow grill.jpg
     
    dana barlow, catdad49 and pitman like this.
  15. firingorder1
    Joined: Dec 15, 2006
    Posts: 2,147

    firingorder1
    Member

    Henry got it right the first time. Why mess with right?
     
  16. fastcar1953
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 3,567

    fastcar1953
    Member

    DSCF7040.JPG stock and modified
     
    catdad49 likes this.
  17. Dirk35
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 2,067

    Dirk35
    Member

    Definitely following this for ideas. I don't like the idea of the expanded metal, and I need something that is super thin to protect the radiator fins. My Model A has a few fins that were smashed by a rather large bug and no matter how much I've tried, I cannot get them to comb out nice enough to where I cannot tell the damage was there.
     
  18. esrbuilders
    Joined: Sep 20, 2012
    Posts: 84

    esrbuilders
    Member

    Pop cooler rack DSCF0008 (1).JPG
     
  19. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,088

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Austin kays likes this.
  20. Canuck
    Joined: Jan 4, 2002
    Posts: 1,104

    Canuck
    Member

    Molded HD Industrial Plastic with a woven pattern. Trimmed to fit and bonded to inside of grill shell. 90+ degree temperatures in slow city traffic and no trouble keeping temp at 180.

    Grill Insert.jpg
    With stands runs at speed. Repels stones and small animals. Keeps bugs from in-bedding them selves in the rad fins. And I think it looks good.

    Got the piece from a friend and he didn't know what it was originally made for. Only used half of it, if anyone is interested send me a message.

    Canuck
     
  21. denis4x4
    Joined: Apr 23, 2005
    Posts: 4,198

    denis4x4
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Colorado

    IMG_0617.JPG

    This is stainless shaker screen.
     
  22. Austin kays
    Joined: Jul 24, 2016
    Posts: 660

    Austin kays
    Member

    Yeah I just used an old mess engine guard off an old industrial engine. Haha coincidence it’s actually off the case @Tim motor came in


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  23. ckdesigns
    Joined: Jan 21, 2004
    Posts: 637

    ckdesigns
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Ogden,Utah

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    I built this insert some stainless steel rods from the scrap pile at work.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  24. rwrj
    Joined: Jan 30, 2009
    Posts: 721

    rwrj
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from SW Ga

    Mine is from the screen of an old swamp cooler. Wasn't big enough to let the two spots with more wire be symmetrical, but I kind of like it plaid. Haha.

    IMG_20190704_122934900.jpg
     
    catdad49, belair and spurgeonforge like this.
  25. Mike Colemire
    Joined: May 18, 2013
    Posts: 1,428

    Mike Colemire
    Member

    If you can find a stainless shield that goes around semi truck exhaust, they work great. They will have oblong holes in them. A friend has picked several up at big truck shops where one end would be damaged.
     
  26. IRION29
    Joined: Feb 25, 2013
    Posts: 60

    IRION29
    Member
    from Alberta

    Sorry I don't have picture of it, but my '29 Tudor has a sectioned '31 grill. I obtained a piece of '
    "perf screen" that has 68% open area, cut to size and had it nickel plated.Never runs past 190 deg.
     
  27. old round fart
    Joined: Jun 9, 2008
    Posts: 134

    old round fart
    Member
    from Norman Ok.

    How filling a sheet full of louvers? Have to try to see if it cools but would be slick if it did!
     

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