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Topic: leaves between condenser and radiator

in Forum: C4 Cooling and Heating Systems


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leaves between condenser and radiator (1/7)
 3/29/12 6:29pm
art
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Cohasset, MN - USA

Vette(s):
1986 Coupe Red, saddle leather interior Cast iron heads


Joined: 11/28/2009
Posts: 44

I have had to clean out the area between the condenser and radiator on my '86 Coupe several times.  It is somewhat time consuming as there are many screws and some hoses to disconnect before the top cover can be removed.
I see that Mid America sells a mesh screen that can be attached to the intake area and prevent the accumulation of leaves and crud.  They want $60 for the item.  I cannot see how it attaches to the bottom of an '86.  Have any of you purchased this item?  How does it go on?  Why couldn't I just purchase some plastic screen from a hardware store and make my own attaching holes?


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Re: leaves between condenser and radiator (2/7)
 3/30/12 12:39pm
Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2230

If you take a look at this set up, it uses the factory screws in front, and apparently just sits in a trough at the rear. I've seen lotsa guys make their own screens...no reason you couldn't. Thumbs Up

http://www.wheelskin.com/sc-3001.html


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Re: leaves between condenser and radiator (3/7)
 3/30/12 6:04pm
art
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Cohasset, MN - USA

Vette(s):
1986 Coupe Red, saddle leather interior Cast iron heads


Joined: 11/28/2009
Posts: 44

Joel:
Thanks for the info and the picture.  It looks like the screen is installed on a later C4.  My '86 is a bit different.  Do you know approximately how wide the screen is?


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Re: leaves between condenser and radiator -easy, permanent, $2.00 fix! (4/7)
 7/6/12 1:19pm
BATaylorEsq
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San Tan Valley, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
87 Red Coupe, not as pretty, had 213G miles, great running engine; got 20-21 around town, 27-28 on hwy; I got to drive a Vette, every day for 6 yrs. It was my first; so now I know what the fuss is all about. (Sold it 2015 for $3000, still ran great.)


Joined: 11/29/2009
Posts: 90

https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/13701_13800/13759/C4_air_dam_screen_-from_gutter_guard_2r.jpg

https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/13701_13800/13759/ZEA6E_C4_air_dam_screen_-from_gutter_guard_1.JPG

I had that problem, big time.  I drive through farm country to+from work every day.  The Corvette's front acts as a vacuum to such up air into the condenser and radiator.  Also sucks up dead birds, chipmunks, leaves, and other critters and debris.  I had to replace the front fan, condenser, and radiator.  Then my mechanic had a great idea to put some kind of screen across the opening above the black plastic air dam and bounce unticketed passengers away.  I came up with a cheap solution to his solution.  Went to hardware store (Home Depot, Lowes, Ace) and bought a two dollar piece of curved mesh screen for keeping leaves out of roof gutters.  Perfect size (about 6" tall and 3' wide) and it's a stiff metal screen with good sized openings and the curve shape acts like a deflector, while allowing air to get in and the air dam do its damn job.  With mine, we just cut the screen to fit, put in a couple screws on the top corners where it touched flat plastic, and used zip ties to hold it down around the edges and bottom.  Looks cool, too.  No problems since and it has no patent!  If I knew how to post pictures, I'd show you how it looks.  If anyone wants me to send pictures, just pm/email me (batayloresq@msn.com).


(changed two large images to links-aapple)


|UPDATED|7/6/2012 10:19:02 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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http://www.C4VetteRegistry.com/member_uploads/13701_13800/13759/Corvette-at-home201216202023r.jpg
Re: leaves between condenser and radiator (5/7)
 4/2/12 12:41am
BATaylorEsq
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San Tan Valley, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
87 Red Coupe, not as pretty, had 213G miles, great running engine; got 20-21 around town, 27-28 on hwy; I got to drive a Vette, every day for 6 yrs. It was my first; so now I know what the fuss is all about. (Sold it 2015 for $3000, still ran great.)


Joined: 11/29/2009
Posts: 90

Sorry for the sucky picture post job.  I tried it and you can see pictures of what I did with the gutter guard screen.  Anyway, this is a good tip and I'm finally glad to be able to add something useful, from someone who can't fix a Corvette, but loves to drive one...and appreciates all the tips from those who can fix 'em.

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http://www.C4VetteRegistry.com/member_uploads/13701_13800/13759/Corvette-at-home201216202023r.jpg
Re: leaves between condenser and radiator (6/7)
 7/5/12 5:23pm
jonneyone
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galion, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1984 base coupe 17,000 miles all original. very low production number.red on red 3853. pro num.


Joined: 5/31/2012
Posts: 413

what do you mean sucky picture i think it's great   i'm going to this to mine thanks

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Re: leaves between condenser and radiator (7/7)
 7/6/12 8:10am
jimmymack
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West Chester, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Torch Red Coupe


Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 702

Great solution.    Clap    I did the same to mine, except painted it black. LIked it so much I fashioned the same material and made covers for the fog lights that I can pop in or our in black also.
 
I also thought it was a great picture.
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