Aluminum Radiator Baffles

[Lin]

OK, I don't just do those sissy cup holder thingies!

I have seen some aluminum radiator baffles on a few racing healeys and thought I might try it. I don't know if they will really help or not, but they do at least make a seal along the side of the radiator so no air is lost around the radiator.

At Conclave a few years back - I think in Winston-Salem, NC. I noticed that Keith Pennell had made somthing similar to what I had been considering and when I asked, he volunteered to send me some patterns to work from. Thank you Keith!

Anyway, I have had them done for a while and I thought that I would trial fit (again) the aluminum radiator and the baffles today. Of course, it will all come out for the engine install if that day ever comes!

Just thought I would share.

https://web.mac.com/linwoodrose/iWeb/Healey%20Modifications/Radiator%20Baffles.html


Cheers.

Lin

1960 BT7 in restoration
1959 Bugeye

 

[BlueRidge2]

Nice work, I am sure I am not alone when I say I'd like to see pictures of the rest of the car. Bob

 

[Ed_K]

Lin,
Nice looking job and car. From your speaker pictures, I see you have a Watson street works brake light switch. If you cannot find a good way to route the wires from the switch, try running them over to the wires from the dimmer switch and out the same grommet into the engine compartment.
I am going to try to build some air dams and install them from underneath the car because my body is on. Richard Dryman of the same club suggested another air " scoop " from the lower edge of the radiator core, down to the top of the sway bar. I'll probably try that as well since it is easy to get to from under the car.
Ed

 

[Lin]

Bob and Ed,
Thanks for the compliments. I will post some images when I have the car complete (Hopefully not too long).

Ed I would like to see your under car air dams when complete.

Cheers,
Lin
1960 BT7 in restoration
1959 Bugeye

 

[anthony7777]

lin very nice job, i cant help wondering if this might not result in the engine getting hot/hotter since it doesnt allow air to pass around it? also wouldnt that make the cockpit hotter as well? especially in slow moving traffic? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif

 

[Lin]

Anthony7777,
Good questions to which I have no answers. I will keep you posted once I have results to share. I am planning on bending the "wings" out a bit to catch more air when I remove them, but that doesn't have any influence on your point. Live and learn.

Lin
1960 BT7 in restoration
1959 Bugeye

 

[Dave Russell]

Hi Lin,
Getting all of the air in the world into the radiator will not help if it doesn't have a place to exit. A considerable part of cooling problems is getting the hot air out of the engine compartment. Witness the rather large rally side vents that are installed by serious competitors. Or louvered bonnets as used on the LeMans cars.
D

 

[Keoke]

Anthony7777,
Good questions to which I have no answers. I will keep you posted once I have results to share. I am planning on bending the "wings" out a bit to catch more air when I remove them, but that doesn't have any influence on your point. Live and learn.

Lin
1960 BT7 in restoration

1959 Bugeye

Hi Lin, Dave's comment is well taken. I have seen the proposed method tried many times and it did not reduce the heating under the bonnet. It is as stated necessary that the static pressure under the bonnet be reduced. This method tends to increase it. The scoop however, can be a positive move. Greg W has designed and installed one on his car---Fwiw--Keoke

 

[Lin]

All good thoughts. I may well explore the scoop from below as Greg executed, but I don't have the talent Greg does! If my baffles don't work well they are easy to remove and replace with the original.

Lin