Protecting the Radiator - Any ideas?

[Slider]

So I'm almost done with the Roadster Build. But one question keeps coming back to bother me... and that is... what is going to keep rocks and other road junk from hitting and damaging the radiator. I'm certain I'm not the only one that has pondered this, but I don't really want to put a screen across the opening as that just messes with the look. What have you done to address this? Or is it not as big an issue as I think it might be?

Photo's and parts list sure appreciated!

[AZPete]

Of course, Slider, lots of guys have thought of protecting the radiator. I bought a stainless steel screen from Pegasus Racing where you'll find choices of the grid density. Others will soon reply with their solutions too. (After this photo I added screen to the oil cooler opening.)
Pete
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb180/AZPeteCobra/newnose2.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/AZPeteCobra/media/newnose2.jpg.html)

[Gumball]

I just bought a piece of nomex honeycomb from Speedway Motors for this very purpose. The stuff is designed for this and is used by circle track racers. I learned of it originally from a friend of mine who used it for his '66 Mustang track car. Then, I stumbled upon another guy who used it for his FFR, only he painted it silver to match the aluminum radiator. The beauty of this is that it doesn't restrict airflow, is super light, is strong enough to stand-up to my 200+ lbs stepping on it, and is very easy to install - just trim to fit the opening and secure it with either some tabs or some sheet metal screws through the nose aluminum protruding into a couple of the honeycomb cells. Best if all, it's around $20 a sheet!

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Honeycomb-Radiator-Protector-19-x-26-Inch,3545.html

[Ray]

I used a screen that we had laying around (one that keeps dogs/cats from running through the screen door.)

Ray

[cobrajj]

Here's thread with many ideas. http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?3668-Damage-from-road-debris-(windshields-etc)&highlight=radiator+screen

[68GT500MAN]

Many have used screens to protect the radiator. I have nothing covering mine with no problems.

[QSL]

We used a heave mesh that's made for this. It came from a race supply place. I cant remember the name right now, maybe Pegasus or something?

17990

[edwardb]

I just bought a piece of nomex honeycomb from Speedway Motors for this very purpose. The stuff is designed for this and is used by circle track racers. I learned of it originally from a friend of mine who used it for his '66 Mustang track car. Then, I stumbled upon another guy who used it for his FFR, only he painted it silver to match the aluminum radiator. The beauty of this is that it doesn't restrict airflow, is super light, is strong enough to stand-up to my 200+ lbs stepping on it, and is very easy to install - just trim to fit the opening and secure it with either some tabs or some sheet metal screws through the nose aluminum protruding into a couple of the honeycomb cells. Best if all, it's around $20 a sheet!

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Honeycomb-Radiator-Protector-19-x-26-Inch,3545.html

x2 on the Nomex piece from Speedway. I don't have any pictures that shows it very clearly in my Mk3. I was originally going to spray it, but the color is no issue as far as I'm concerned. I'm holding it in place with right angle aluminum brackets around the perimeter and into the radiator surround. I had the pieces powder coated when I did some other parts. Looks neat and clean, easy to change when necessary.

[Bob Cowan]

Like many people do, I used some 1/4" SS mesh, purchased from McMaster. Very sturdy, and no maintenance required.

The trick is, you can't lay it directly on the radiator. What would be the point of the that? Anything striking the screen would be prevented from penetrating, but would transmit it's kinetic energy indirectly to the cooling fins. That's a bad thing.

I used some aluminum 3/4" plywood edge trim to hold the screen away from the radiator. I ran the strip down the center of the radiator, and I rivited the screen to the alum. The ends of the screen are simply siliconed to the to the ends. After 11 years of racing and cruising, the radiator is still in great shape.

[mikiec]

2290 has been on the road since 2001 and has accumulated over 65,000 miles. Nothing covering the radiator. No problems at all.

Mike

[skullandbones]

I think you can see the screen I used to cover my radiator. Two bolts on top and two on the bottom hold it in place. You can get different gauges and opening. The amount of restriction is noted on each pattern. The one I used is 78% open. Good luck, WEK.

[OCCPete]

I use a thick layer of squashed bugs to protect my radiator ;)

Pete

[Gumball]

Slider - Here are some pics of the nomex honeycomb from Speedway. I haven't finished trimming it and I'll probably spray it silver/grey before final installation. It fits really snug right now just with friction between the tanks, but I want to square it up at the top by trimming it a little more. It cuts really easy with a razor blade, but is very strong. One of the pics below shows what a scrap piece looked like after a bunch of moderately hard hits from a ball peen hammer - the deeper indents are from the ball end. A couple of the pics also show detail of the honeycomb structure and just how open it is, even though the honeycomb cells are around 1/8" or less. To make sure it doesn't fall out through the bottom, I plan on putting a couple of short sheet metal screws through the lower chin aluminum that will just protrude slightly into the honeycomb. Once those are removed, the honeycomb can easily be removed by pulling it out from below for cleaning or replacement.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/NomexHoneycombRadScreen_zps429d09e4.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/NomexHoneycombRadScreen_zps429d09e4.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/NomexHoneycombRadScreen2_zps548f9f25.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/NomexHoneycombRadScreen2_zps548f9f25.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/HoneycombDetail_zps847512ed.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/HoneycombDetail_zps847512ed.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/RadScreenOpacity_zpsbcecfa65.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/RadScreenOpacity_zpsbcecfa65.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/HoneycombDurability_zps100b5b72.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/HoneycombDurability_zps100b5b72.jpg.html)