StoogeMoe

I removed the condenser from in front of the radiator. Looks like the condenser took quite a number of hits over the years. And now my radiator is out there and vulnerable.

Does anybody put any kind of screen or mesh in front of the radiator to protect it? If so, I'd like to see some of your solutions of how you mounted it.

V2Rocket

which car did you remove the AC from? if its the 83 i might buy the compressor off you if its still good.

944CS

just buy some screen door screen at the hardware store and use an adhesive to attach - I've used black 3m weatherstrip adhesive with good results and speeds over 120mph

V2Rocket

FWIW ive had no ac condensor since 2005 and have not had any noticeable damage and the car has gone on many many long trips through dusty rocky areas, i even took it up from san diego to san francisco and back over the summer and the worst i caught with my radiator was a family of bees


hell, in december i went on a spirited drive on a twisty country road and annihilated a plastic basket someone had dropped in the street, stopped, picked out shards of plastic and the car was fine

Marcquito

yeah don't worry about it. it'll be fine.

shiners780

Regular old fiberglass window screen double wrapped over a piece of wire shelving. It catches LOTS of bugs, stones, track snot, and has yet to let anything through. Cheap, lightweight, and effective.

Mike Buck

What I did. I still run the condensor in front of the radiator though for added protection. I bought a "fin straightener" tool from snap-on to clean it all out and get better flow through

GrantM

Mike,

I can't tell how you attached your screen to the bumper? Thanks.

Mike Buck

Little black zip-ties mostly. Look closely. At the bottom I cut some slots in the supports and pulled the metal up into it. Easier shown in another picture I have.

StoogeMoe

Thanks for the ideas. You turbo nose guys sure have it easier. More points to attach it to. I'll think of something for my NA. I may even use the mounting point where the condenser went.

StoogeMoe

I decided to make this as complicated as possible. I made up a frame from aluminum angle stock and attached a screen to that. Then the whole things mounts up into the factory attachment points for the condenser.



Now I'm protected !

nkgosselin

Ugly but effective. Plaster Lathe from Home Depot. Very strong.

Will Feather

Whats that tow strap mounted too - out of curiosity?

Will Feather

Scratch that question, just read your blog!

CurtP

That's expanded mesh and while it won't come apart, it will easily stretch when anything of significance hits it. You may want to consider hardware cloth or real wire mesh. Hopefully what you have is steel and not aluminum.