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Radiator Screen Ideas and Solutions

GM Guy

GM Guy

Manual Trans. 2WD Enthusiast
Messages
4,838
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846
Location
NW Kansas and SC Idaho
Hey all,

I am doing the mind numbing task of straightening fins and blowing and washing out cores, and realized that I dont want my hard work going to waste by it filling up with bugs and junk again.

Does anyone have any good ideas for a radiator screen? Right now, its looking like taking bulk screen door screen (aluminum, fairly fine. I felt the fiberglass style wont breathe as well with more "webbing" that it has from the mfg. process) and fishing it behind the hood latch/horn support bracket, and laying it across the entire cooling stack, using zip ties and maybe extra bolts in existing holes in the core support to tie it down.

Does anyone have a better looking/ easier to clean setup?

Does anyone make one that goes on the outside of the grille and allows interchanging with a winter front in winter?

Any input appreciated, Thanks!
 
I've seen the aluminum screen idea at work before - not on our trucks, but on dad's Freightliner when he had his truck. It seemed to do the job. You could always paint it black and it would be less noticeable. It's stiff enough to keep its shape, but I don't think I would use the fiberglass.
 
That's exactly what I used to do on all my trucks and cars when you could still easily get to it but haven't for some time. Mine needs cleaning but I'm not in a mood to go through the hassle
 
I have tried many different screens and expanded sheet metal screen they all equate to blocking the flow at speed.

I have since made a core cleaner from and air hose fitting by soldering a fine 19" tube to it pressing the other end closed and drilled a very small hole in the side so it blows air at a right angle. From here all you need to do is remove the top radiator shroud and insert the tube down behind the radiator core to clean it by blowing the dirt/sand etc out from back to front.
 
Yeah, I believe about any window screen would be way too restrictive.

Since I am there and get it clean I like to figure ways to help prevent build up.

I keep looking to find cleaning products that will leave a "slicker" finish on thinks like this. I wish I could find an easy applicable polymer "wax" like product for flat paint and rough castings etc. I use Boat non skid deck cleaner to clean some stuff. Its easy to use and foams up a lot. It is suppose to leave a little barrier PTFE ???? to help prevent dirt from sticking and protect surfaces since you can't wax floor type areas but its not slippery.

ATV and Motor cycles shops sell some products and I am doing some experimenting but haven't found a wonder product yet.

Some ok decent stuff is Pro Honda, - Spray Cleaner & Polish. Can says Quickly cleans , Polishes, & Protects. Use on Plastic, Chrome, Paint & Aluminum. Cleans road grime, grease, and bugs without water. It isn't cheap but fairly easy to spray on from a spray can and wipe off. It does detail from a can pretty good but you need to wipe it off. There was another spray can finisher or top coat that claimed to help repel dirt and make clean up easier. You just sprayed it on and let it dry. Guy said he had a customer like to use it on his galvanized boat trailer and helps him be able to spray off stuff easier.

Might at least use a car wash soap that has some wax in it for anything that doesn't need degreasing.
 
Last edited:
schiker said:
Yeah, I believe about any window screen would be way too restrictive.

Since I am there and get it clean I like to figure ways to help prevent build up.

I keep looking to find cleaning products that will leave a "slicker" finish on thinks like this. I wish I could find an easy applicable polymer "wax" like product for flat paint and rough castings etc. I use Boat non skid deck cleaner to clean some stuff. Its easy to use and foams up a lot. It is suppose to leave a little barrier PTFE ???? to help prevent dirt from sticking and protect surfaces since you can't wax floor type areas but its not slippery.

ATV and Motor cycles shops sell some products and I am doing some experimenting but haven't found a wonder product yet.

Some ok decent stuff is Pro Honda, - Spray Cleaner & Polish. Can says Quickly cleans , Polishes, & Protects. Use on Plastic, Chrome, Paint & Aluminum. Cleans road grime, grease, and bugs without water. It isn't cheap but fairly easy to spray on from a spray can and wipe off. It does detail from a can pretty good but you need to wipe it off. There was another spray can finisher or top coat that claimed to help repel dirt and make clean up easier. You just sprayed it on and let it dry. Guy said he had a customer like to use it on his galvanized boat trailer and helps him be able to spray off stuff easier.

Might at least use a car wash soap that has some wax in it for anything that doesn't need degreasing.
Click to expand...
Stay away from anything caustic, as bugs go a good soak of any cores let sit then use air to reverse blast them out.
 
I've been running a FIA, interchangeable Winter and Bug Screen cover for years now and like them. They come in a genric or custom fit. I'd say go for the custom fit.

Cheers
Nobby
 
so you guys think I should not install a screen? I dont think it will affect cooling ability that much. Plus, after seeing what was in the a/c core, its a wonder it stayed under 210 at all...with no working fan clutch to boot.

Basically its been staying under 210 so far, any cleaning I do is just gravy.

Bugs and tiny rocks are my biggest issue.
 
Make sure it's easy to remove if it causes you issues. It is a known restriction, but, how much different than bugs and rocks I can't say. I have had a radiator plugged by bugs to the point of running hot on a single cross country drive, so, it's useful in some cases.
 
Just do it like the big rigs, easy removal. Pull it and clean each oil change if you're really worried and it should help.
 
I had a custom winter front and summer screen made for my grain truck, a GMC with a 427. The summer screen made a good winter cover.
 
I guess I never snapped pics of after I cleaned it and before I stuck the screen on, but let me assure you, ever single freaking fin has been straightened. :)

I use sawhorses and a stool, and commit a day or two of my life... I use the cut off tails of zip-ties to mark which row is complete, and just go back and forth, straightening fins.

I have a pet set of tools, two tiny needlenose pliers, and 4 tiny screwdrivers.

The only one left in the stack is the a/c condenser and the PS cooler, and they get straightened and flushed to perfection as well. Then after its all done, it gets put back together.
 
I don't know how I missed the pic. I've been watching this, cause if you don't have cooling issues, I'm doing this. I don't know this would fly in WW's warm part of the world though. It looks nice and clean.
 
I would be worried about it blocking air flow. I guess you could put it on and test it out.
 
It looks neat and clean but I too think it will reduce air flow. Might not be too much.

Sorry to be negative but screen can plug up with dust and might plug up faster than before. At least my chicken coop windows plug up with dust but takes a while.

At least it should be clean underneath if you have to take it off.

Watch on the side if the screen restricts air flow and pushes hard on the AC sensor it might bend. Probably won't but it might flap a little and be abrasive too just things to watch just in case.

Keep us posted. At least its something new to learn and talk about. Appreciate you sharing.
 
abrasion is the only thing I am worried about. On the drivers side I used some leftover strands of wire out of the cut off screen and tied it to the PS cooler near the top where it has some webbing so its not around a tube. The passenger side is the main concern.

I will agree that it will restrict airflow, but how much, I am unsure. I do know that the before pic packed full of dirt was still staying under 210 with a completely shot fan clutch and scaling up over 20K combination, so i am thinking the overall restriction will be less being perfectly clean but with the screen.

I did swap in the 92-93 spec near new (IIRC I put it on last fall) AC Delco fan clutch off the poor 93 that now has major engine problems. :( So now I have a functioning fan clutch. swapped in a new AC Delco T-stat from Leroy, and am awaiting a vaccum pump, scored a NOS AC Delco off ebay, and debating about running it, or waiting for a good used AC Delco I bought off a guy.

I am debating about somehow anchoring it to the backside of a grille, and rigging up something to cover the nostrils so that it isn't against the condenser...but that is only if this one doesnt work out.
 
The airflow is a concearn, but like Mom said if never try you never know (of coarse i think she meant vegtables). It just needs to be easy removal/ install for frequent cleaning, because if it works it will be plugging up. I hope it works. Is it stainless steel? Looks like it.

On the cleaning out the radiator, a friend just bought an 77 stepside Chevy, was asking me a good to do list and cleaning the radiator of coarse hit the list. When i mentioned using the scrubbing bubbles trick you all taught me. He said there is a specific spray can of cleaner made for hvac to clean out coils in your house ac system. I have no idea when i can try it out, but maybe someone here wants to give it a try.
 
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