Anyway, after $1800 to r+r the radiators and fans and hoses and belt, etc., it now runs fine, runs cool (198-212 degrees, without AC, and 205-220 with AC on, during Phoenix PM commutes home), and the AC is actually cold air, again.

 

Most important, we invented a fix to prevent it from re-deja vu-ing.  The mechanic said he was thinking about rigging some kind of screen to keep road kill from getting sucked into the engine (a problem Vettes and jets share).  I said I know just the thing, being one of those guys who goes to HomeDepot/Lowes and wanders around looking for something to fix something else that has nothing made for it in order to find something that could be used for what it was never intended to be used for, and I went to HomeDepot and bought a gutter screen for $2.50.  It's about 6" wide, 3 feet long, stiff aluminum screen, with a curve to it.  (They're made to clip onto roof gutters to keep leaves out, as you Easterners/Mid-Westerners know.)  In any event, they fit right into the gap between the air dam and the top of the mouth that sits underneath the teeth of the C4.  Cut to length, a couple screws on the corners, a few zip ties along the top and bottom edges, and you have a breathable barrier to let the air dam suck air into the condenser/radiator, while spitting out or slapping away birds, chip munks, and other stuff that costs almost $2000 to fix.

 

I know Chevy shoulda thoughta it, or JC Whitney or MidAmerica or Zip shoulda offered something classy and easy, but here's the fix, for those of us who have to fix stuff before the fix is in.

 

If you only drive to shows on nice days by nice roads, you probably don't need a space shield, but if you're a frequent flyer, this could save your dough.

 

I love reading about all the tips and helps offered on this site, so here's my humble contribution to the mix.  Thanks, BAT

 

That screen may block some aior flow.

Other than that, good idea.